SB Nation St. Louis - Chris Carpenter Outpitches Roy Halladay, Cardinals Defeat Phillies To Reach NLCShttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49009/stl-fave.png2011-10-07T23:18:24-05:00http://stlouis.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22212372011-10-07T23:18:24-05:002011-10-07T23:18:24-05:00Ryan Howard Injury: Howard Injures His Achilles In Cardinals NLDS Win
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<p>If the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a>' final out in the 2011 NLDS seemed a little stranger than usual—more airless—this might explain it: Ryan Howard appears to have injured his achilles tendon grounding out to <span>Nick Punto</span>, who, seeing Howard collapse down the first baseline, ran halfway to <span>Albert Pujols</span> before underhanding the ball to first to end the game. Early reports indicated the injury might be a severe ankle sprain. Howard came into the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> clubhouse on crutches immediately after the game, and multiple reports from Twitter suggest he'll have an MRI tomorrow. </p>↵<p>Howard could miss six to eight months if surgery is necessary, which means he's unlikely to be ready for the start of the season; the Phillies could begin <span>Ryan Howard's</span> five year, $125 million contract with <span>John Mayberry</span> at first base. </p>↵<p>It was an incredibly exciting end to a playoff series that was filled with tight moments for both teams, but it's unfortunate that Howard might be feeling the effects in April. </p>↵
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2011/10/7/2476617/ryan-howard-injury-achilles-nldsDan Moore2011-10-07T22:46:40-05:002011-10-07T22:46:40-05:00Cardinals Vs. Phillies: St. Louis Cardinals Reach NLCS, Rafael Furcal Stars Behind Carpenter
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<p>The St. Louis Cardinals’ decision to trade for a questionably healthy Rafael Furcal could have been the most important one they made all season—he was the most important position player behind Chris Carpenter’s shutout, putting together a series of outstanding plays and lacing a leadoff triple to score the only run of the game and push the streaking Cardinals into the <span class="caps">NLCS</span>.</p>
<p>Furcal’s eighth-inning robbery of Carlos Ruiz (<a href="http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_10_07_slnmlb_phimlb_1&highlight_content_id=19861307&c_id=stl">video here at <span class="caps">MLB</span>.com</a>) was one of the most remarkable plays of the series; after the game Furcal told Craig Sager that he knew he had to make the best throw of his career, and he absolutely did it to earn the second out of the inning.</p>
<p>But it was his triple that allowed Carpenter to win the game on his own terms. Followed up immediately by Skip Schumaker, who went 10 pitches into an at-bat before doubling into right-center field, it got the Cardinals on the board before they made their first out—and it turned out to be the only chance they’d get against Roy Halladay, who turned back into Roy Halladay immediately afterward.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2011/10/7/2476581/cardinals-vs-phillies-score-updateDan Moore2011-10-07T22:30:00-05:002011-10-07T22:30:00-05:00Chris Carpenter Tosses Shutout, St. Louis Cardinals Beat Philadelphia Phillies To Reach NLCS
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<p>The St. Louis Cardinals gave Chris Carpenter one first inning run against Roy Halladay, and that’s all their ace needed as he tossed a shutout to get the Cardinals past the favored Philadelphia Phillies and into their first <span class="caps">NLCS</span> since their 2006 World Series championship season. Some outstanding plays from Rafael Furcal—leader of the Happy Flight, and the man who made “the best throw of my life” to keep the Phillies scoreless in the eighth—and Nick Punto punctuated the three-hitter for Carpenter, who lost his first game of the series after struggling on three days’ rest.</p>
<p>Skip Schumaker’s <span class="caps">RBI</span> double—after Rafael Furcal’s leadoff triple—was the only run of the game, and it came after Schumaker got a surprise start in center field and before he left the game in the third inning with an oblique injury. It was an incredible series of events for a team that needed an incredible series of events to get to the <span class="caps">NLDS</span> in the first place.</p>
<p>The Cardinals will meet the MIlwaukee Brewers with the World Series on the line Sunday October 9 at 3:05 <span class="caps">CDT</span>.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2011/10/7/2476551/chris-carpenter-tosses-shutout-st-louis-cardinals-vs-philliesDan Moore2011-10-07T10:23:01-05:002011-10-07T10:23:01-05:00Cardinals Vs. Phillies: Compare, Contrast, Conclude Game 5 of the NLDS
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<p>There are many ways to predict the outcome of a baseball game. All of them are worthless. Here are ours, ahead of Game 5 of the NLDS between the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies:</p> <p>There are many ways to predict the outcome of a baseball game. All of them are worthless. Here are ours, ahead of Game 5 of the NLDS between the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies:</p>
<p><b>Starting pitchers Career Postseason Records:</b></p>
<p><b>Saint Louis: </b>Chris Carpenter: 260 Batters face, 5.9 K/9, 1.82 K/BB, 8.7 H/9.</p>
<p><b>Philadelphia:</b> <span>Roy Halladay</span>: 111 Batters faced, 8.4 K/9, 7.0 K/BB, 5.1 H/9.</p>
<p><b>Conclusion:</b> Holy crap Roy Halladay is good. Also, his full name is Harry Leroy Halladay, which sounds like someone who was the head roadie for the Allman Brothers back in '73.</p>
<p><i>Final score: </i><i><a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phillies</a> 3, <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cardinals</a> 1. </i></p>
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<p><b>Sitcoms based in their respective cities:</b></p>
<p><b>Saint Louis:</b> <i>The John Larroquette Show</i></p>
<p>The plot, as described by Wikipedia:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The show revolved around John Hemingway, a recovering alcoholic newly appointed to the role of night shift manager of the St. Louis bus depot.</p>
<p>Much of the show revolved around John's attempts to stay sober. John constantly struggled to keep control of the station, with regular conflicts with his secretary, Mahalia, the janitor, Heavy Gene, and most strongly with sandwich bar attendant, Dexter, who had been turned down for the position that John was appointed. Sexual tension happened with prostitute Carly.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>An alcoholic -- managing a bus station -- who is attracted to a hooker. That sums up the city of Saint Louis nicely.</p>
<p><b>Philadelphia:</b> <i>It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia</i></p>
<p>In a very crowded field, this is the best comedy on TV right now.</p>
<p><b>Conclusion:</b><i> </i>Considering living in Saint Louis proves that life is stranger than fiction, there's never been a decent TV show set here. <i>It's Always Sunny</i> pulled it off in tremendous fashion.</p>
<p><i>Final Score: </i><i>Phillies 9, Cardinals 0.</i></p>
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<p><b>Musicians:</b></p>
<p><b>Saint Louis: </b>Chuck Berry, Miles Davis, Michael McDonald, Chingy, Nelly, various Saint Lunatics, Scott Joplin, Ike & Tina Turner, Akon, Jeff Tweedy, Jay Farrar</p>
<p><b>Philadelphia:</b> Frankie Avalon, Jim Croce, John Coltrane, Teddy Pendergrass, Oates & Oates, Boyz II Men, Dr Dog, Disco Biscuits, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The Roots, Ween, Black Thought, <span>Will Smith</span>, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Eve, G Love.</p>
<p><b>Conclusion:</b> This is like a heavyweight slugfest. Saint Louis throws a huge right hook with Miles Davis, Philly counters with a John Coltrane uppercut. Philly attacks with some Hall & Oates Yacht Rock, Saint Louis goes right back with the king of Yacht Rock, Michael McDonald. Saint Louis had Uncle Tupelo and the main vision behind Wilco, Philly has Ween. Ike & Tina; Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Philly finally KOs Saint Louis though, as Nelly and the Lunatics are no match for The Roots. They didn't even have to deploy Jim Croce or Frankie Avalon.</p>
<p><i>Final Score: Phillies 8, Cardinals 5</i></p>
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<p><b>Food:</b></p>
<p><b>Saint Louis: </b>Toasted ravioli, pork steaks, bad pizza, frozen custard</p>
<p><b>Philadelphia: </b>Cheesesteaks</p>
<p><b>Conclusion: </b>Cheesesteaks are delicious.</p>
<p><i>Final Score: Phillies 4, Cardinals 2</i></p>
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<p><b>Actors:</b></p>
<p><b>Saint Louis: </b>Jon Hamm, Scott Bakula, Mark Linn-Baker, Redd Foxx, Shelley Winters, Kevin Nealon, Vincent Price, Linda Blair, Kevin Kline, John Goodman, Bob Guillaume.</p>
<p><b>Philadelphia: </b>Kevin Bacon, The Barrymores, Bill Cosby, Grace Kelly, Sly Stallone, Henry Gibson.</p>
<p><b>Conclusion: </b>Saint Louis is the home of both Benson and Cousin Larry. Not to mention Dr Sam Beckett. I have never been prouder of this city.</p>
<p><i>Final Score: Cardinals 5, Phillies 3. </i></p>
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<p><b>Squirrels:</b></p>
<p><b>Saint Louis:</b> Just fucking overrun with the damned things, apparently.</p>
<p><b>Philadelphia:</b> Has them, but does not allow them to play for the Phillies.</p>
<p><b>Conclusion:</b> What's with all the squirrels lately? I blame the Democrats.</p>
<p><i>Final Score: Cardinals 8, Phillies 4. </i></p>
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<p><b>Records on Getaway Days in the Last Two Months:</b></p>
<p><b>Saint Louis: </b>11-0.</p>
<p><b>Philadelphia:</b> 5-6.</p>
<p><b>Conclusion:</b> Since <span>Rafael Furcal</span> arrived, the Cardinals have not had a sad flight. Nothing but happy flights.</p>
<p><i>Final Score: Cardinals 11, Phillies 5. </i></p>
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<p><b>Movies:</b></p>
<p><b>Saint Louis:</b> <i>The Great Saint Louis Bank Robbery, Meet Me in Saint Louis, The Spirit of Saint Louis, One Night at McCool's.</i></p>
<p><b>Philadelphia:</b> <i>Rocky</i> (all six of them), <i>Philadelphia</i>, lots of others.</p>
<p><b>Conclusion:</b> Nobody makes movies set in Saint Louis anymore.</p>
<p><i>Final Score: Phillies 12, Cardinals 1.</i></p>
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<p><b>Mascots Playing Saxophones:</b></p>
<p><b>Saint Louis: </b></p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/o0LNRZxax_k"></iframe></p>
<p><b>Philadelphia:</b></p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3fQAJGauhz0"></iframe></p>
<p><b>Conclusion:</b> I could not find a video of the Phanatic playing a saxophone. What the hell kind of lazy mascot is he/she?</p>
<p><i>Final Score: Cardinals 1, Phillies 0</i></p>
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<p><b>Overall Conclusion: </b>Roy Halladay is a better pitcher than Chris Carpenter. Philadelphia is a bigger, better city than Saint Louis. Fredbird Plays a mean sax. Benson is from Saint Louis! Benson!</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/738801/Benson.jpg"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/738801/Benson_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Benson_medium"></a> <br id="1317924073713"></p>
<p><i>Final Score: Cardinals 3, Phillies 2.</i></p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2011/10/7/2473276/st-louis-cardinals-vs-phillies-score-scheduleAlex Fritz2011-10-06T08:04:28-05:002011-10-06T08:04:28-05:00David Freese Inspires Puns, Fear; St. Louis Cardinals Tie Series At 2
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<p>Okay, here's the official <span>David Freese</span> Pun of SB Nation St. Louis: "Freese Frames." As the official website puts it, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> were "<a href="http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_10_05_phimlb_slnmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl" target="_blank">Freese 'birds</a>" Wednesday night, with their oft-injured third baseman doubling and homering off <span>Roy Oswalt</span> to drive in four of the Cardinals' five runs on the way to a series-tying 5-3 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a>. <span>Edwin Jackson</span> allowed two runs in six innings to pick up his first career playoff victory; <span>Jason Motte</span> picked a perfect ninth inning for his second NLDS save. </p>
<p>The Phillies scored two runs in the first inning, but the Cardinals, who've inspired an almost unwavering confidence in comeback situations since their September run began, halved the deficit in the bottom of the first when <span>Lance Berkman</span> doubled in a run. From there it was all David Freese—in the fourth he laced a double hard down the left field line, and in the sixth he hit a long home run onto the grass in dead-center field. Oswalt struck out five and walked one and generally looked sharp, as he typically does with a chance to confound the Cardinals' playoff hopes, but Freese came up each time the Cardinals had a chance to rally and made sure it happened.</p>
<p>The Cardinals and Phillies will reconvene Friday for all the marbles—Game 5 of the NLDS is set for 7:30 PM CDT in Philadelphia, to be televised on TBS. Chris Carpenter will line up against <span>Roy Halladay</span>. </p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2011/10/6/2472557/cardinals-vs-phillies-series-updateDan Moore2011-10-05T15:09:35-05:002011-10-05T15:09:35-05:00Matt Holliday Will Start For St. Louis Cardinals In Game 4, Per Reports
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<p>The St. Louis Cardinals made the tough decision to leave injured slugger Matt Holliday on their postseason roster ahead of the <span class="caps">NLDS</span>, and after some painful pinch-hitting duties over the first three games of the series Holliday will finally get the start in Game 4, with the Cardinals down two games to one against the Philadelphia Phillies, according to reports on Twitter from <a href="http://twitter.com/BJRains/status/121675447112175616">B.J. Rains</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/dgoold/status/121675992707248130">Derrick Goold</a>.</p>
<p>Holliday has been dealing since September with a tendon injury on his right middle finger, one that’s made it extremely difficult for him to throw, but the Cardinals were shielded from the worst of his absence by the emergence of Allen Craig, who’s gone 1-14 with a triple and four walks in three <span class="caps">NLDS</span> appearances.</p>
<p>If Holliday had been unable to go the Cardinals were apparently going to move second baseman Skip Schumaker to the outfield, so Holliday’s return—while still dangerous, as he remains uncomfortable throwing the baseball—has the secondary benefit of saving Tony La Russa from himself. Holliday hit .296/.388/.525 with 22 home runs and 36 doubles in 124 games in 2011, the second year on a long-term contract that takes him through 2016.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2011/10/5/2471624/matt-holliday-injury-cardinals-postseasonDan Moore2011-10-05T08:03:18-05:002011-10-05T08:03:18-05:00St. Louis Cardinals Sink On Ben Francisco's Home Run, Philadelphia Phillies Go Up 2-1
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<p><span>Jaime Garcia</span> matched <span>Cole Hamels</span> for six scoreless innings until <span>Ben Francisco's</span> three-run pinch-hit home run staked the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> to a lead and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>' ninth-inning rally was too-little, too-late Tuesday afternoon. The Redbirds scattered 12 hits and wasted a three-double night from <span>Albert Pujols</span>—not to mention a four-hit day from platoon second baseman <span>Ryan Theriot</span>—managing just two runs from four hits against <span>Brad Lidge</span> and <span>Ryan Madson</span> in the eighth and ninth innings. </p>
<p>Garcia was having one of his most economical outings of the season until the home run broke things up—he spread 100 pitches across seven innings, while the Cardinals got Hamels to throw 117 in six scoreless. <span>Fernando Salas</span> and <span>Jason Motte</span> each threw a scoreless inning in the loss.</p>
<p>The Cardinals will attempt to stave off elimination Wednesday at 5:00 CDT when <span>Edwin Jackson</span> toes the mound against <span>Roy Oswalt</span>, the Phillies' ersatz fourth starter. New Busch Stadium will get its second look at an elimination game—the first since they were swept in the 2009 NLDS, and got a single game on the field christened by the 2006 World Series championships. </p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2011/10/5/2470183/st-louis-cardinals-sink-on-ben-franciscos-home-run-philadelphiaDan Moore2011-10-03T08:01:24-05:002011-10-03T08:01:24-05:00St. Louis Cardinals Stun Phillies, Rally Past Cliff Lee In Game 2
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> won their first postseason game since 2006 Sunday night, rallying back from a four-run deficit to stun <span>Cliff Lee</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> 5-4 in the second game of their 2011 NLDS matchup. After Chris Carpenter, starting on three days' rest, fell apart immediately things looked grim, but <span>Fernando Salas</span> and the Cardinals' bullpen combined to throw six scoreless innings to hold Philadelphia at four runs. Meanwhile, the Cardinals' offense, tops in the National League, went to work. </p>
<p><span>Ryan Theriot</span> and <span>Jon Jay</span> were the surprise heroes, with Jay driving in two runs from the eighth spot in the lineup and Theriot doubling twice ahead of him. <span>Albert Pujols</span>, still limping, went 2-5 with two singles and an RBI, and <span>Rafael Furcal</span> went 2-5 with a triple. </p>
<p>For the Phillies the whole thing was eerily similar to what they'd pulled off against the Cardinals just the night before. After putting up three first-inning runs against the Cardinals' ace, their offense shut down, reaching base just once against a collection of six Cardinals relief pitchers, including <span>Jason Motte</span>, who went an inning and a third for his first postseason save. After walking three times against Chris Carpenter they didn't manage another all night. </p>
<p>The box score is available at the <a href="http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_10_02_slnmlb_phimlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl#gid=2011_10_02_slnmlb_phimlb_1&mode=box" target="_blank">Cardinals' very celebratory official website</a>. Game three of the series hits Busch Stadium on Tuesday. </p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2011/10/3/2465414/st-louis-cardinals-score-scheduleDan Moore