Post by Commissioner Erick on Jul 7, 2019 19:45:18 GMT -5
Pittsburgh Pirates (73-88) @ St. Louis Cardinals (83-78)
PIT: Cody Dickson (0-5, 6.16)
STL: Michael Wacha (10-5, 3.34)
The St. Louis Cardinals won't be too happy, missing out on the postseason for the fifth consecutive year. However, after losing 103 games a season ago, the Cardinals have improved to an 83-78 record this season.
They'll go for a 25-game improvement over a season ago when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates for the Game of the Week.
The Cardinals have gone 22-13 since late August to finish the season strong. They've allowed a single run in each of their last three games and will turn to their best pitcher, Michael Wacha, to make it four in a row.
Wacha is going to finish with his third straight season with an ERA in the low-to-mid threes, and he has an opportunity for his third straight 11-win year. He's fourth in the league in ERA and WHIP, and third in FIP right now, after finishing fourth in ERA last year. Despite just one All-Star appearance, he's been one of the best, most under-the-radar starters in the league.
The Cardinals brought aboard a pair of sluggers the past two seasons to jump start their return to relevance. One has been a home run, while one was, let's say a productive out.
Josh Donaldson really struggled in the season-and-a-half since he was traded from Toronto to Chicago in 2019. He was solid last year, but with a $31 million dollar salary, needed more than a .248 average and 23 home runs to justify the price tag. This season he's rebounded with 38 home runs, 125 RBIs, and a .275 average. Donaldson is sixth in RBIs, and if not for Nolan Arenado, would lead NL Third Basemen in WAR.
Donaldson still has three more years at an exorbitant price tag, so he'll need to produce to justify the price tag. However, a season like this gives Steve Bennett hope that the Cardinals have their middle-order tent pole to base their offense around.
Joc Pedersen, meanwhile, has been okay, but not great. He has an .802 OPS buoyed by 29 home runs. His .247 average is also in line with career norms. However, his .451 slugging mark is the lowest of his career, and with one more whiff, he'll be in the top 10 in most strikeouts in a single season. St. Louis will need a more reliably second option next year to truly compete for the postseason.
If Pederson can't provide the thump, the Cardinals are starting to see some of their youngsters begin to crack the major leagues. Nick Pratto, the league's #34 prospect, put together a strong year in Triple-A, with a .376 on-base percentage in 264 Plate Appearances. In a half a year in the majors, he looked like he needed more developing. He only had a .290 on-base mark with nine home runs. Scouts love Pratto's swing, so it's just a case of him experiencing major league quality pitching and getting stronger. If he develops that next year, the Cardinals could be a player, but they also won't want to rush him and ruin his development.
Two-time minor league All Star Anderson Cosma also made his major league debut this year. The 21-year-old hit over .300 with more walks than strikeouts in Triple A. He stole eight bases, popped six home runs, and legged out five triples in a half season in Memphis. In the majors, Cosma's hit .253 with virtually no power in a quarter season. He's held his own with a .333 on-base percentage and strong defense. If he's for real, then the Cardinals will have some young talent complementing their veteran showcasers.
They'll take on a Pirates team that had too many pitching injuries and too many easy outs in the lineup. Cody Dickson should start tonight, but he's carrying a 6.16 ERA this year, and a 5.74 career major league ERA. Dickson has walked 36 batters in 64.1 innings, as his lack of control has been the biggest limiting factor in his career.
Offensively, Kevin Kramer followed up a strong 2020 with a .503 OPS and a spectacularly futile -1.7 WAR in just 53 at bats. Cole Tucker is hitting .238 with a .352 slugging mark. Rule V pick-up Jelfry Marte entered 71 games and hit for a .555 OPS. Andrew Stevenson has played essentially a full season putting up a .215 average with three home runs.
It's just been a disappointing year with too many offensive non-entities. Without too many contracts coming off the books, it'll be a wonder how the Pirates remain competitive come 2022.
Questions for the GM's:
For Mike McAvoy, after a run of solid seasons, this was a disappointing year. How do you feel headed into the offseason?
Kolten Wong had a slightly positive zone rating, a .250 average, and 15 home runs. He's a free agent this offseason. Will he be brought back?
Will you experiment with your lineups at all with just one more game left this year?
For Steve Bennett, your Cardinals went from one of the worst teams in baseball to a very respectable outfit. How do you feel about your franchise's progress?
Alex Reyes pitched great as a closer. Will that be his role next year?
Daniel Brito only has a .727 OPS. However, he does have 23 steals and 18 home runs as a 23-year old league-average defender at short. Will that be enough for him going forward, or does he need to do better to be a key part of your future?
TRIVIA: Who are the only three third baseman who have both more Zone Rating and more home runs than Josh Donaldson?
PIT: Cody Dickson (0-5, 6.16)
STL: Michael Wacha (10-5, 3.34)
The St. Louis Cardinals won't be too happy, missing out on the postseason for the fifth consecutive year. However, after losing 103 games a season ago, the Cardinals have improved to an 83-78 record this season.
They'll go for a 25-game improvement over a season ago when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates for the Game of the Week.
The Cardinals have gone 22-13 since late August to finish the season strong. They've allowed a single run in each of their last three games and will turn to their best pitcher, Michael Wacha, to make it four in a row.
Wacha is going to finish with his third straight season with an ERA in the low-to-mid threes, and he has an opportunity for his third straight 11-win year. He's fourth in the league in ERA and WHIP, and third in FIP right now, after finishing fourth in ERA last year. Despite just one All-Star appearance, he's been one of the best, most under-the-radar starters in the league.
The Cardinals brought aboard a pair of sluggers the past two seasons to jump start their return to relevance. One has been a home run, while one was, let's say a productive out.
Josh Donaldson really struggled in the season-and-a-half since he was traded from Toronto to Chicago in 2019. He was solid last year, but with a $31 million dollar salary, needed more than a .248 average and 23 home runs to justify the price tag. This season he's rebounded with 38 home runs, 125 RBIs, and a .275 average. Donaldson is sixth in RBIs, and if not for Nolan Arenado, would lead NL Third Basemen in WAR.
Donaldson still has three more years at an exorbitant price tag, so he'll need to produce to justify the price tag. However, a season like this gives Steve Bennett hope that the Cardinals have their middle-order tent pole to base their offense around.
Joc Pedersen, meanwhile, has been okay, but not great. He has an .802 OPS buoyed by 29 home runs. His .247 average is also in line with career norms. However, his .451 slugging mark is the lowest of his career, and with one more whiff, he'll be in the top 10 in most strikeouts in a single season. St. Louis will need a more reliably second option next year to truly compete for the postseason.
If Pederson can't provide the thump, the Cardinals are starting to see some of their youngsters begin to crack the major leagues. Nick Pratto, the league's #34 prospect, put together a strong year in Triple-A, with a .376 on-base percentage in 264 Plate Appearances. In a half a year in the majors, he looked like he needed more developing. He only had a .290 on-base mark with nine home runs. Scouts love Pratto's swing, so it's just a case of him experiencing major league quality pitching and getting stronger. If he develops that next year, the Cardinals could be a player, but they also won't want to rush him and ruin his development.
Two-time minor league All Star Anderson Cosma also made his major league debut this year. The 21-year-old hit over .300 with more walks than strikeouts in Triple A. He stole eight bases, popped six home runs, and legged out five triples in a half season in Memphis. In the majors, Cosma's hit .253 with virtually no power in a quarter season. He's held his own with a .333 on-base percentage and strong defense. If he's for real, then the Cardinals will have some young talent complementing their veteran showcasers.
They'll take on a Pirates team that had too many pitching injuries and too many easy outs in the lineup. Cody Dickson should start tonight, but he's carrying a 6.16 ERA this year, and a 5.74 career major league ERA. Dickson has walked 36 batters in 64.1 innings, as his lack of control has been the biggest limiting factor in his career.
Offensively, Kevin Kramer followed up a strong 2020 with a .503 OPS and a spectacularly futile -1.7 WAR in just 53 at bats. Cole Tucker is hitting .238 with a .352 slugging mark. Rule V pick-up Jelfry Marte entered 71 games and hit for a .555 OPS. Andrew Stevenson has played essentially a full season putting up a .215 average with three home runs.
It's just been a disappointing year with too many offensive non-entities. Without too many contracts coming off the books, it'll be a wonder how the Pirates remain competitive come 2022.
Questions for the GM's:
For Mike McAvoy, after a run of solid seasons, this was a disappointing year. How do you feel headed into the offseason?
Kolten Wong had a slightly positive zone rating, a .250 average, and 15 home runs. He's a free agent this offseason. Will he be brought back?
Will you experiment with your lineups at all with just one more game left this year?
For Steve Bennett, your Cardinals went from one of the worst teams in baseball to a very respectable outfit. How do you feel about your franchise's progress?
Alex Reyes pitched great as a closer. Will that be his role next year?
Daniel Brito only has a .727 OPS. However, he does have 23 steals and 18 home runs as a 23-year old league-average defender at short. Will that be enough for him going forward, or does he need to do better to be a key part of your future?
TRIVIA: Who are the only three third baseman who have both more Zone Rating and more home runs than Josh Donaldson?
