GatewayRedbirds.com

Popeye_Card wrote:

jagtrader wrote:

Socnorb11 wrote:Granted, he still hasn't gone 5 or 6 innings, but is anybody starting to buy into this whole Looper idea yet?

I'm buying into the fact that Looper can be as good as Marquis was during his three-year Cardinals career.

I will be very happy if he can give us 200 IP with an ERA right around 4 like Marquis' first two years.

Overall, Marquis had a 4.60 ERA as a Cardinal. I'd even take that from Looper right now if he's the 5th starter.

--P--

I think most of the disillusion with Marquis in Redbird Nation has to do with the high expectations after a very good 2004 season. Statically he wasn't that bad during his tenure, but I was expecting the Marquis of 2004 to stick around and become a rotation fixture. The way it ended was pretty ugly, and I think it left a bitter taste in many fans' mouths despite his average numbers.

Is Franklin even being considered for the rotation anymore? Is there a reason he's only pitched three innings through today?

I think this entire experience will be a positive thing for Looper.

It's possible that it could be a hygiene though. I mean if he does get moved back to the bullpen for whatever reason, he could think ill of it or whatever and his attitude could change about having to pitch in the bullpen. He could take "offense" by getting moved back to the pen.

I'm aware of Marquis's contributions to the Cardinals. I have no disillusionment. The bottom line is his peripherals were terrible and many thought he was about to explode before 2006. He was walking a thin line.

I think Marquis and Looper have similar skill sets. A really good sinker and not much else. Marquis's might have a little more movement, but it doesn't have the same velocity -- especially last season.

Cardinals win 3-1.

Looper had a nice GB/FB ratio today also.

Hard to beat Carp's 12 groundballs yesterday, but encouraging nonetheless.

Looper at least seems to have a better attitude about doing what Duncan tells him to do, unlike Marquis - it's his refusal to get with the plan, more than the results, that probably spelled the end for him.