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Greetings,
As World Cup action dominates the television screens here on a hot Saturday in June, allow me to unload a stream of consciousness on the local sports squads. A little bit of Cards, some Blues and an item or two on the Rams. Read on if you prefer the commentary to be blunt.
CARDINALS
- Lance Lynn takes the mound tonight against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Zach Greinke. MLB analysts will wax poetically about Zach because he is a Cy Young caliber pitcher who is thriving on the other LA team. They will skip over the underrated talent that is Lance Lynn. For just over 500,000 dollars this year, Lance Lynn is 8-5 with an ERA under 3.00 and an innings workload that is on pace for another 200 inning finish. With Michael Wacha out for a while, Cardinals fans must appreciate the quality of starts Lance Lynn is producing this season. It may not always be pretty, but Lynn promises results. Soon enough, the rest of the MLB world will catch on.
- Allen Craig is struggling at the plate and it has all to do with expectations. He made two splendid plays in the field Friday night but at the plate the man is showing shades of former Cardinal Tino Martinez. Lots of roll over groundouts that prohibit rallies and prolong a nasty slump. I pointed out last night on Twitter that Craig has 6 HR and 40 RBI but his average is dipping back towards .250 and his swing is still very long. In 2012 and 2013, Craig had quick hands an ability to hit the outside pitch to the opposite field. He would turn on inside fastballs and rip them to left. I am not worried about the 6 HR. He hit 13 home runs in 2013 and is still projected to hit 16 this year. Craig is 9-39 in his last 10 games, and that includes 8 K. 1 BB and only 3 RBI. Craig is a run producer and after a hot May, June has seen the slugger cool off. Is this a simple down year or a turn down a hill in Craig’s career? The topic is juicy and worth exploring. Craig is trade bait before the team can only hold back Oscar Taveras so long and Matt Adams is powering the lineup as we speak. Craig’s at bats will dwindle first. The biggest problem. Craig hit .327 off righthanded pitchers in 2013. He is hitting .251 off them this season.
- What is Mark Ellis doing with his second chance? In his last 10 games, he is 6-29 with 8 strikeouts, 1 walk and 2 RBI. Ellis isn’t here to be a massive run producer but
he has failed to lift his batting average. After his 0-4 performance against the Mets on June 17th, Ellis was at .188. After last night’s 1-4 performance against the Dodgers, he is at .188. Ellis provides stellar defense and has put together a few 2 hit games but overall isn’t making a big enough impact to earn more starts once Kolten Wong returns. Ellis could be suffering from the same dilemma as Peter Bourjos. He needs to play every day to leave a dent. Ellis is kind of a bust so far. - I would find it very difficult to trade Oscar Taveras right now. He’s cost controlled for several years, could easily play every day for the Cards right now and held himself very well in his initial MLB stint. The return would have to be golden for the Cards or Mo to part with Oscar.
- Joe Kelly may have gotten roughed up Friday night, but as long as his mechanics were right and his hamstring is fine today, the outing was a success. Now it’s officially Kevin Siegrist watch.
BLUES
- In a move out of left field today, The Blues traded seasoned defenseman Roman Polak to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Carl Gunnarsson and the Leafs’ 94th pick in
the draft. At first, I was saddened by the departure of the Roman. He provided the Blues an edgy defensive presence that wasn’t afraid to get physical and bust heads. The playoff beatdown at the end of the Sharks playoff game a couple years ago sticks out in my memory of Polak. His lightning quick release of his slap shot from the point. Polak was going cost the Blues cap space in the next couple years, though, and Gunnarsson offered a mild upgrade and logical direction. Gunnarsson is lefthanded, can play against top offensive players and is a year younger than Polak(27) and has scored more points and has a better +/- in his career. I never believed the Blues held long term interest in Roman so the trade wasn’t a total shock. He is one of those players you will miss. Watch this in memory of Polak in Blue and Gold.
- In my mind, Patrik Berglund is still a future trade candidate. There is plenty of offseason left and I am not even close to buying that ridiculous 11.1 million dollar contract. If it happens in a deal for Jason Spezza or another center(Brad Richards), so be it. Somehow or way Berglund can’t be making 3.7 million as a third line winger/center in 2014-15. He may thrive elsewhere. He has been here 6 years. It’s time to cut the chord.
- Is Spezza worth the squeeze? Sure, if he stays healthy. For the Ottawa Senators in 2013-14, Spezza put together 23 goals, 43 assists and 9 power play goals in 75 games. He had 84 points in 2011-12 and only played 5 games in the lockout shortened 2012-13 season. He isn’t a spring chicken, having been in the league for over 10 years. The former 1st round draft pick is 31 years old and made 5 million in 2013-14. He does have a contract for another season and will be a 7 million dollar cap hit next season. He will be seeking a long term deal and an expensive one at that. Is he worth the risk at his age?
- Without slapping the genuine talents of Jay Bouwmeester, Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk, but it would be lovely if the Blues defensemen could score a few more goals. Also, do it in the playoffs. Just saying. That’s on my Christmas list.
RAMS
- Cortland Finnegan wants to talk bad about former Rams defensive coordinator now that he has signed with another team and Walton isn’t employed in St. Louis anymore. Great timing, Cortland. A player who will always be known for his antics on the field that have little to do with actual football and defending receivers. Finnegan’s deal here was atrocious to begin with and I am glad the team cut him. He can go play average corner for some other team. Talking bad on Walton now is like getting into a confrontation with someone and only talking after the person has walked away. Bush league. Predictable.
- Sam Bradford must deliver in 2014. His critics are closing in(without looking at his stellar 2013 season) and wanting new blood. Bradford’s receivers are more seasoned. His running backs are set. His defense is ravaging. His offensive line has a true monster in Greg Robinson who will move people. Bradford, for better or worse, is set to shine in 2014. Yes, this is a new thing. Fisher’s third year in the regime along with Brian Schottenheimer will help Bradford come into true form in 2014.
- By the way, Schotty, Zac Stacy is the starting running back. Stop it with this competition. The one shiny offensive element to come from those final 9 games is the emergence of Stacy at halfback.
- Picking a team to finish at 8-8 in an NFL season isn’t the right route but let me state here that I want this team to improve. 9-7 or 10-6 would be swell but if this team finishes below .500, this Fisher plan is an absolute failure. Of course, a playoff appearance is the goal. I want respectability when it comes to this franchise’s past 7-8 seasons.
That’s it. Thanks for reading. Come back for more.
-D.B.
@buffa82 on Twitter
