Live Chats

Cards Game Day chat with Bernie Miklasz

Join Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz before, during and after the Cards-Cubs game.

by Mike Smithon Sep 21, 2012 at 12:01 PM

Greetings everyone. I look forward to watching the game with you. Something different. Should be fun. I'm at my home office, which means I can actually have a cigar while watching Cardinals-Cubs. What a bonus. I'm ready for your questions and comments. Thanks

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:15:54 PM
Cut through all the hype Bernie: What are reasonable expectations for Carp today?

by ZachAttack 9/21/2012 6:21:48 PM
Six innings, hopefully 90 pitches, two or three runs. Hard to say. It's been a long time. He says he's sharp. I believe him, but you just can't predict this in advance. We'll know more when we see him throw the cutter; that's a pitch that can give him problems in normal times.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:23:08 PM
Matheny's been cooking Boggs and Motte all week. Who's in for the late innings today if they can't go?

by MUfaninKirkwood 9/21/2012 6:23:16 PM
Going to have to go with some of the young power arms, right? I'd think Shelby Miller is in the wings to take over if the Carpenter's start ends earlier than expected. Motte might be fine for an inning at the end. I can't believe MM would use Boggs today. Salas only trew 7 pitches yesterday. Mujica threw 9 yesterday, and 20 Wednesday. Not sure if Matheny will push with him. The rep on Mujica was that he doesn't do as well when pitching on consecutive days but that hasn't been a problem lately.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:28:19 PM
What kind of cigars do you like? with scotch?

by tom 9/21/2012 6:28:22 PM
Probably will go with a Padron 1964 Anniversary Exclusivo for today's game. No scotch, though.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:29:04 PM
looked like Nelson Cruz

by Joel in Rochester, NY 9/21/2012 6:29:08 PM
Cubs outfielders have been good defensively this season; their OF has best fielding percentage (.992) in NL

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:30:24 PM
I the wind blowing in?

by Joel in Rochester, NY 9/21/2012 6:30:40 PM
I don't know, sorry, still in the 314. I had a mini-crisis to deal with this morning (all is OK) and can't head to Chicago until tomorrow morning. But that's why I'm doing the live chat. Trying to contribute to the coverage.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:31:49 PM
That's 24 pitches already for Volstad ... now 25 with that first strike to Yadi

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:33:16 PM
In case anyone is interested, I'm hosting a live chat during Cards-Cubs game; go to stltoday.com ... will be there all game.

by Bernie Miklasz via twitter 9/21/2012 6:34:46 PM
Bernie ... On at bat with game on line ... Is Craig your man?

by Adam r 9/21/2012 6:34:58 PM
Craig or Molina. Can't go wrong either way. I know AC just had a miss there, but that's inevitable.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:35:25 PM
Bernie, If Carp has another great post season this year, do you think he can get in the hall?

by kevin099us 9/21/2012 6:35:34 PM
I think the Hall of Fame is a long shot for Carp. It's a shame that injuries cost him 2003, all but a few innings in 2007, 2008 and all but the final two weeks of the regular season in 2012. His career numbers would be so much stronger for Hall of Fame cred had he experienced better luck.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:37:27 PM
@miklasz do my eyes deceive me or did the Cadinals just get a RISP run across?

by matlock_john via twitter 9/21/2012 6:37:37 PM
Molina is pretty good at that; career BA of .295 with runners in scoring position and two outs.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:39:03 PM
Hey Bernie, on you on board with the Beltran sacrifice or did you cringe in disgust?

by Jay 9/21/2012 6:39:07 PM
No, I didn't like the bunt there. I come from the Earl Weaver School ... outs are a precious commodity. You only get 27 of them so use them wisely. That said, the Beltran bunt did get Jay to third, so it helped score a run

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:41:27 PM
wouldn't Jay have scored from second on the Molina single? I don't see the bunt helping much.

by jimmybart 9/21/2012 6:42:49 PM
Who knows? It's not as if we could assure the identical result on the Molina at-bat; fielders might have been positioned differently. I'm no fan of bunting. But they did get a run.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:43:57 PM
Carpenter's early pitches have some some movement. Good sign.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:44:23 PM
@bjmiklasz I disagree to an extent. Sometimes you need to do whatever you can to get that run. Tony La Russa was great at utilizing sac outs to score a run

by panderson1988 9/21/2012 6:44:30 PM
Bunts don't make a lot of sense most of the time. There are always exceptions. The game has changed dramatically. Old-time baseball is gone

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:45:23 PM
Bernie, what would you consider a successful outing for carp? 5 IP? Or are you expecting more than that?

by Matt_O'Dell 9/21/2012 6:45:28 PM
A quality start (6 innings, 3 ER or less) would be fine with me. But the rain/weather could be a factor.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:45:55 PM
@miklasz Is carp eligible for postseason?

by coachbethards via twitter 9/21/2012 6:46:03 PM
Yes. Carpenter is eligible for postseason

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:46:32 PM
As much as I want to win this year, I think what excites me more is the possibility of a healthy Carp and Waino in 2013.

by Fromthe417 9/21/2012 6:46:39 PM
I think that's a very good possibility... Wainwright should be even better in 2013. Carp's age is a factor, but he can probably crank out another good year unless there are pitching-health issues

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:47:44 PM
Do you get food service in the lair? Was wondering your game day menu (other than the cigar)? Sounds like a sweet setup.

by Copper 9/21/2012 6:47:52 PM
No food service today; I'll have to get my big arse (not as big as it used to be, though) down the stairs to grab a snack when ready. Mrs. Bernie not available.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:48:56 PM
Per CSNBaggs: Cabrera ruled ineligible to win batting title. Your thoughts? www.csnbayarea.com

by Mark 9/21/2012 6:49:02 PM
Good.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:49:08 PM
Do you see Kozma continuing to see majority of time at SS? Does M.Carpenter start seeing more action at 2nd to get bat in playoff lineup?

by A.Medlock 9/21/2012 6:49:21 PM
The club has decided (correctly, IMO) that Kozma is the best available defender there... and he has some MLB experience; one thing about the guy is he's poised. He doesn't play nervous.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:50:27 PM
What is your secret to let Mrs. Bernie agree that you can smoke a cigar in the house?

by Kebab 9/21/2012 6:50:30 PM
Two things (1) I work two jobs, so Big Poppa deserves him some cigars, LOL. (2) I have a cigar vent in my office, right over my desk. So the smoke immediately swirls out of the vent and through the roof and never circulates in the house. Best investment I ever made.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:52:16 PM
Why doesn't Jackson get a try at SS?

by TNCardsfan 9/21/2012 6:52:25 PM
They like Kozma's poise ... Jackson played a little "young" when he got a chance. Kozma has a veteran presence.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:53:10 PM
Bernie, How do you think the Cards match up with Atlanta. Looks like the Braves have Medlen in line to start the play in game. I don't think he has given up more then 2 earned runs all season

by kevin099us 9/21/2012 6:53:13 PM
I'll put it this way, and I don't see how anyone could objectively disagree: any team that has to face Medlen will have a very difficult task. He's dealing. He's nasty. And he's fresh.

by bjmiklasz 9/21/2012 6:54:12 PM
How ridiculous would Craig's numbers be if he had played a full season? Insanity is the answer.

by Aaron 9/21/2012 6:54:39 PM