1 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:07,800 Speaker 1: Break out the brooms. The Saint Louis Cardinals sweep the 2 00:00:07,800 --> 00:00:11,200 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh Pirates. They are back to five hundred, a season 3 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:14,120 Speaker 1: high five game win streak, and all of a sudden, 4 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:16,680 Speaker 1: we're maybe feeling a little bit better about this club 5 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:19,320 Speaker 1: than we were a couple of weeks ago. Welcome back 6 00:00:19,360 --> 00:00:22,720 Speaker 1: to Cardinal territory, Katie we Bernie, Miclis, Back at you, Bernie. 7 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:24,400 Speaker 1: It's been a minute. How are you. 8 00:00:24,920 --> 00:00:27,800 Speaker 2: I'm doing well. It's been a really intriguing time to 9 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:31,000 Speaker 2: watch the Cardinals because there there's been some new stuff. 10 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:34,400 Speaker 2: There's been there's been some changes. Pardon me, my laptop's 11 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 2: trying to speak to me for some reason. 12 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:38,919 Speaker 3: It's uh yeah, I. 13 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:40,599 Speaker 2: Mean we know that they're good at home, but they 14 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:43,880 Speaker 2: really I think they showed everybody something anyone skeptical about 15 00:00:43,880 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 2: their ability to beat good teams. You know, winning that 16 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:49,279 Speaker 2: double hudder from the Mets was impressive, and I you know, 17 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:52,080 Speaker 2: I've gotten some stuff from fans like, well, anybody can 18 00:00:52,120 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 2: beat the Pirates. 19 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 3: Well, the Cardinals didn't beat the Pirates in Pittsburgh. 20 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:58,840 Speaker 2: So that's one of my pet peeves when media or 21 00:00:58,880 --> 00:01:01,920 Speaker 2: fans where they part wins as if like some wins 22 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:04,880 Speaker 2: are illegitimate, are you kidding? Met Like, during the course 23 00:01:04,880 --> 00:01:07,520 Speaker 2: of the season, man, bad teams can rise up and 24 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:10,440 Speaker 2: beat you, just like this. White Sox beat the Cardinals 25 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 2: last year in a series, every victory counts the same, 26 00:01:14,959 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 2: it doesn't matter who you're playing. So I thought it 27 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:20,200 Speaker 2: was a needless to say, a great homestand and starting 28 00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:23,399 Speaker 2: with that doubleheader sweep in Cincinnati. I mean, they've won 29 00:01:23,480 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 2: seven out of nine and they're playing really good ball. 30 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:28,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, I definitely think it's their their best stretch of 31 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 1: baseball by far this season. Things are going well. They 32 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 1: have these set they're tied for the best record at home. 33 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:37,160 Speaker 1: But I'm agree. I agree with you, Bernie. That doubleheader 34 00:01:37,160 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 1: against the Mets on Sunday really set the tone. And 35 00:01:39,560 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: I know Pittsburgh has been scuffling, but to your point, 36 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:43,760 Speaker 1: you still have to beat them. And I thought the 37 00:01:43,800 --> 00:01:47,280 Speaker 1: Cardinals had a very very well pitched series. Whether you're 38 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 1: looking at the rotation or the bullpen. I know we're 39 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:50,840 Speaker 1: going to get to the bullpen later in the show. 40 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:54,320 Speaker 1: Some timely hitting. Good to see Alec Burlison heating up. 41 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:58,160 Speaker 1: Good to see Wilson Contreres continue his hot streak. Some 42 00:01:58,200 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 1: really good at bats and all around play. Victor Scott 43 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 1: the Second and if you missed it, we have an 44 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:05,600 Speaker 1: interview episode with him from Monday up on Cardinal Territory. 45 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 1: He was really good. I think it's exciting to see 46 00:02:09,639 --> 00:02:12,720 Speaker 1: some of the kids take steps forward. Victor Scott's day 47 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 1: alone scores from first twice, manufacturers, two runs on the 48 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:20,200 Speaker 1: base paths, He's Robin home runs from one Soto, He's confident, 49 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:23,240 Speaker 1: he's fun. I really like what we're seeing out of him. 50 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:25,520 Speaker 1: And we're almost forty games into the season. It looks 51 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:27,959 Speaker 1: like Victor Scott the Second you can check mark him 52 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:32,000 Speaker 1: as a success story so far as far as runway development, transition. 53 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 1: Pick your favorite Cardinals buzzword. He seems to have gotten 54 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:37,880 Speaker 1: this opportunity and run with it, no pun and headed right. 55 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:41,960 Speaker 2: And to me, the two in the runway season, the 56 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:46,919 Speaker 2: two guys that really fit the runway objective, right. I mean, 57 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,960 Speaker 2: I think sometimes we talk about some players, actually I 58 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:52,280 Speaker 2: don't know that they're runway players. I mean Brennan Donovan 59 00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:54,239 Speaker 2: in large New bar been in the big leagues for 60 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:56,360 Speaker 2: a while. You know, we got I think we got 61 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 2: to be more selective about that. So with that said 62 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:02,480 Speaker 2: Matthew Libertor on the pitching side and Victor Scott on 63 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:05,880 Speaker 2: the position player side. Liberator is one of the best 64 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:08,919 Speaker 2: starting pitchers in the majors so far. He really is. 65 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:10,919 Speaker 2: And you know, I got a million stats to back 66 00:03:10,919 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 2: that up, which I won't do. I did put it 67 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:16,240 Speaker 2: in my column at the sports hubstl dot com if 68 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:18,359 Speaker 2: people want to go, look, he's one of the best 69 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 2: starting pitchers in the majors. And he's also averaging like 70 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 2: eight point three four strikeouts per nine innings. And Katie, 71 00:03:26,320 --> 00:03:28,120 Speaker 2: here's a stat boy thing, but I think it's a 72 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 2: good one because the Cardinals have not had a power 73 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:36,720 Speaker 2: lefty starting pitcher since Rick and Keel had that one 74 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 2: really good season in two thousand. During the expansion era 75 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 2: which began in nineteen sixty one. When we're talking about 76 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 2: not guys gone back and forth starting, you know, bullpen 77 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 2: guys who are plugged in as full time members of 78 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:52,520 Speaker 2: the rotation. There's only been three starting pitchers that have 79 00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:59,320 Speaker 2: averaged eight plus strikeouts per nine innings and Keel in 80 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 2: two thousand, Steve Carlton in nineteen sixty nine, and Liberatore 81 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:07,040 Speaker 2: so far this year. He obviously has to sustain it. 82 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 2: So he's doing something we have not seen this organization 83 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 2: turn out really hardly at all since the during the 84 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:19,440 Speaker 2: expansion mayor a power lefty and I just I am 85 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:21,920 Speaker 2: just blown away by how great he is. And I'm 86 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:24,839 Speaker 2: gonna ask you this. I mean, you were around a 87 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:27,200 Speaker 2: lot covering him. I mean, the poor guy. He's going 88 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 2: back and forth a bullpen, this and that, and you know, 89 00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:32,120 Speaker 2: right handed hitters are killing him, which they don't do 90 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:34,720 Speaker 2: this year, And it's just like you want to. 91 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:37,120 Speaker 3: I always felt sorry for the guy, always did. 92 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:42,160 Speaker 2: And what was his body language, his demeanor, like during 93 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 2: all those tough years that led into this really terrific year, 94 00:04:46,240 --> 00:04:48,279 Speaker 2: what was his body demeanor and all that stuff? 95 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:51,360 Speaker 1: Like, I'm glad you asked that, because it's night and day, 96 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 1: not just performance on the field with Libby, but overall 97 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:57,520 Speaker 1: body language, mindset from where he was in twenty twenty two, 98 00:04:57,560 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 1: twenty twenty three to where he is in twenty twenty 99 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:02,160 Speaker 1: five on the athletics. Soon in the next few days, 100 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:04,000 Speaker 1: we'll have a profile on Libby and all the changes 101 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:05,720 Speaker 1: that he's made that's led him to this point over 102 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:08,359 Speaker 1: the last four years. And he reminded me that his 103 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:12,120 Speaker 1: legacy really was cemented his major league debut. He makes 104 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 1: it in Pittsburgh and he's often to Memphis at eight 105 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 1: am the next day, and so began the back and 106 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 1: forth of Matthew Libertore. And that can be so so 107 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:23,159 Speaker 1: hard for a twenty two to twenty three year old 108 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 1: top prospect. He was a number one draft pick. You're 109 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:28,039 Speaker 1: already carrying a ton of weight to not have clarity 110 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:30,279 Speaker 1: and how you're going to be used, whether it's starter, reliever, 111 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:34,040 Speaker 1: triple A major league and to consistently be kind of 112 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 1: just shoved around and called up out of need, and 113 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:39,279 Speaker 1: your development as a picture not being prioritized. That can 114 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:41,520 Speaker 1: really take a toll on you. But credit to Libby 115 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 1: because eventually he just embraced that uncertainty. And if you 116 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 1: want to know how difficult that is for young pitchers 117 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:49,520 Speaker 1: to do. The Cardinals didn't want to do it to 118 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:51,160 Speaker 1: any more of their own pictures. They said, if we're 119 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 1: going to do this anymore, it's going to be to 120 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 1: a veteran who can handle it. So Steven matt step 121 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:56,920 Speaker 1: on up. But they saw what it was doing to 122 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:59,159 Speaker 1: Libby and to Zach Thompson and to Andre Polante, to 123 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 1: an extent, and they said, you know what, it stops here. 124 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:04,920 Speaker 1: And when you talk to Olie Marmle or Dusty Blake 125 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:08,800 Speaker 1: or Julio Rangelda other assistant pitching coach, you hear them 126 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:12,320 Speaker 1: talk about Libertoire's conviction in himself where he's no longer 127 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:14,720 Speaker 1: hesitant or unsure of where he belongs because he was 128 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:18,120 Speaker 1: given an opportunity. But when you say given, they'll push 129 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:20,359 Speaker 1: back and say no, he earned that. He spent his 130 00:06:20,400 --> 00:06:22,239 Speaker 1: off season determined to come in and be a starter. 131 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:25,320 Speaker 1: He handled his spring training top notch. He forced his 132 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:29,119 Speaker 1: way into our conversation and made us say okay, similar 133 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:31,800 Speaker 1: to what they did with Victor Scott. Victor Scott made 134 00:06:31,839 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 1: them make a choice and reward him betthew Liberatory did 135 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 1: the exact same thing Victor Scott did from a rotation standpoint, 136 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:39,880 Speaker 1: and now we're seeing the results. 137 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:41,360 Speaker 3: You know, Katie, you know that. 138 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 2: By the way, cut me off if I'm jumping into 139 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:48,560 Speaker 2: something you want to talk about later, so and I 140 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 2: will not take it personally, obviously, but I was thinking 141 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:55,680 Speaker 2: about this today. You know, the Cardinals offense, even with Frankly, 142 00:06:55,839 --> 00:07:00,119 Speaker 2: Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman not doing too much. You know, 143 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:03,400 Speaker 2: I didn't check the rankings today, but there I know 144 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:07,159 Speaker 2: as of like Monday morning, they were basically a top ten, 145 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:10,320 Speaker 2: top eleven, top twelve offense in the majors. I mean, 146 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 2: they really scored well in every category. And yeah, when 147 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 2: they're bad, they look really bad. But you know, if 148 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:18,360 Speaker 2: you look at the body of work, it's been a 149 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:21,480 Speaker 2: good offense. And that's without Gorman and Walker doing much. 150 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 2: It's almost incredible to even contemplate what would what this 151 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 2: offense would be if those two guys get going. And 152 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 2: I don't know when or if they'll get going, but 153 00:07:33,160 --> 00:07:36,120 Speaker 2: it's a pleasant thought, I think so definitely. 154 00:07:36,480 --> 00:07:38,200 Speaker 1: I like what we saw from Jordan Walker today that 155 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:40,320 Speaker 1: final at bat in the eighth two insurance runs there 156 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:42,720 Speaker 1: he needed something to go right. It's been a grind, 157 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:44,560 Speaker 1: and you hope you'll see that from Gorman too. And 158 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:46,560 Speaker 1: I'm glad you brought up Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman 159 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:49,680 Speaker 1: because as we transition to our next topic, which is Runway, 160 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:51,800 Speaker 1: those are the two guys we talk about. But we 161 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:54,360 Speaker 1: have just one adread for you guys today, just one 162 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:58,840 Speaker 1: let's hear. Did I upload it? Yes? I did somewhere. Yes, 163 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: you can tell us the end of a homestand based 164 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:03,960 Speaker 1: on how little brain cells I have left. Right now, 165 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:05,600 Speaker 1: let's hear from our friends at Arena. 166 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 4: Club ft fan by. Now you know, if you're buying, selling, 167 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 4: trading collecting cards, Arena Club is the spot. We've been 168 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 4: talking about them all season long. But I do want 169 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:18,480 Speaker 4: to focus on the slab pack experience, Crats. Since you've 170 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:21,520 Speaker 4: been ripping some slab packs digitally and what happens. 171 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 2: I mean, as a kid, you wanted to rip open 172 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:26,960 Speaker 2: the packs. How can they do this digitally? Oh? 173 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 5: Baby, this is exciting how the graphics come out and everything, 174 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:33,679 Speaker 5: and oh yeah, the card that you pull you can 175 00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:37,680 Speaker 5: actually get that John physically, so it's perfect. It's all 176 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 5: in one place and it's a super exciting experience. 177 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:42,960 Speaker 4: Yeah, they send that to you from the vault if 178 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 4: you want it. But if you look at it and 179 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:46,520 Speaker 4: you're like, it's not the card for me, I want 180 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:47,360 Speaker 4: to sell back. 181 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:47,720 Speaker 2: Go for it. 182 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:50,120 Speaker 4: You can do any of that on Arena Club, and 183 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:52,160 Speaker 4: you can acquire the best value for your money with 184 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:56,480 Speaker 4: those slab packs, transparent checklists, and Arena Club's Slab Safe program. 185 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 4: Right now, you can get twenty percent off your first 186 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:01,760 Speaker 4: slab pack or card purchased by going to arenaclub dot 187 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:04,439 Speaker 4: com slash foul and use code foul. Arenaclub dot com 188 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:05,760 Speaker 4: slash foul, use code foul. 189 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:08,920 Speaker 1: All right, Bernie, I know you can see me backstage 190 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:10,200 Speaker 1: when the ADVD is on. I would just like to 191 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 1: clarify that I'm drinking of water, not a beer. The 192 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 1: can does look like a beer, but I promise I 193 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 1: am not drinking on the pod it is a water. 194 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:19,920 Speaker 2: Well, after we record this, you can have all the 195 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 2: beer you want. 196 00:09:20,920 --> 00:09:21,079 Speaker 3: Well. 197 00:09:21,120 --> 00:09:23,439 Speaker 1: I have a ten day road trip coming up, so 198 00:09:23,480 --> 00:09:24,679 Speaker 1: I need to stay strong. 199 00:09:25,320 --> 00:09:27,600 Speaker 2: Well, so you can have all the beer you want 200 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:29,440 Speaker 2: after work on the road. 201 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:34,520 Speaker 1: That may or may not tend to happens to say. So, 202 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:37,319 Speaker 1: let's talk a little bit about Runway, specifically with Nolan 203 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:39,680 Speaker 1: Gorman and Jordan Walker, because whether this is fair or not, 204 00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 1: whether they asked for it or not, they didn't. They 205 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:44,680 Speaker 1: are really the faces of this transition year, and that 206 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:47,360 Speaker 1: might be because of their pedigree as former top prospects 207 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:50,520 Speaker 1: or because of their inconsistency is from twenty two to 208 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:54,560 Speaker 1: twenty three on and the overall consensus from the organization 209 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:56,800 Speaker 1: whereas it feels like even though they are so young, 210 00:09:57,240 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 1: this is the year where the Cardinals figure out if 211 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:01,199 Speaker 1: Jordan Walker and and Gorman are part of their long 212 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:05,319 Speaker 1: term future. So the whole point of the season, again 213 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:09,560 Speaker 1: everyone's favorite word runway, was to give that to Gorman 214 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:11,720 Speaker 1: and to Walker, and if they had a slow April, 215 00:10:11,720 --> 00:10:14,400 Speaker 1: like both of them did, they were going to be okay. 216 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 1: They were going to continue to get playing time, they 217 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:17,360 Speaker 1: were going to continue to work through their things at 218 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:19,960 Speaker 1: the major league level. I think we're seeing Jordan Walker 219 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:21,720 Speaker 1: start to trend a little bit more in the right direction. 220 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:25,320 Speaker 1: His one hit today and was very timely, very necessary 221 00:10:25,320 --> 00:10:27,080 Speaker 1: for both him and the team. You'd like to see 222 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:29,520 Speaker 1: Gorman cut down of the strikeout rate, make more contact. 223 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:32,079 Speaker 1: My question is, and this is something I hope to 224 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:35,200 Speaker 1: have more clarity on very soon, is if you're the 225 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 1: Cardinals and your Wayne Runway versus results from both a 226 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 1: team and a player standpoint, where do you draw the line? 227 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:46,720 Speaker 1: I personally didn't think after one month that's enough time, 228 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:49,920 Speaker 1: but especially if the Cardinals keep up their place and 229 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:52,720 Speaker 1: stay around five hundred, where do you draw the line? 230 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 1: If you're the Cardinals, It's a. 231 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:58,680 Speaker 2: Tough question to answer, you know, I asked Ali Marvel, 232 00:10:58,720 --> 00:11:01,560 Speaker 2: Dad about two weeks ago on Cam Wax on the 233 00:11:01,559 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 2: guest House Gang. He's on every Tuesday. It's live from 234 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:07,120 Speaker 2: twelve to about twelve thirty five, And I asked him 235 00:11:07,120 --> 00:11:10,600 Speaker 2: about it, in effect the short version of the question 236 00:11:11,679 --> 00:11:16,600 Speaker 2: Bucker Gorman, they're off the slow starts, is the runway unlimited? 237 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:18,600 Speaker 2: And he listen. 238 00:11:18,720 --> 00:11:19,880 Speaker 3: First of all, he said, well, first. 239 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:23,040 Speaker 2: Of all, we're nowhere near thinking about this. But I 240 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:24,880 Speaker 2: thought he has been really candid, and I know when 241 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:27,120 Speaker 2: you guys have asked him about this, he's been really candid. 242 00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 2: He has said he has not couched it at all 243 00:11:29,880 --> 00:11:32,440 Speaker 2: when he thinks that they look either one of them 244 00:11:32,559 --> 00:11:35,640 Speaker 2: or both of them look defeated, where they are just 245 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 2: mentally defeated and they're having a harder and harder time 246 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:43,199 Speaker 2: handling it, and they and they hear all the criticism 247 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:46,520 Speaker 2: everybody talking about him, and after a while it's the 248 00:11:46,559 --> 00:11:50,959 Speaker 2: coping skills aren't great. You know, Ali was saying, you know, 249 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:52,960 Speaker 2: at some point you have to think about getting them 250 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:55,800 Speaker 2: in an environment that's not going to have as much 251 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:59,959 Speaker 2: pressure and let them regroup. So you know, you're at 252 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:01,720 Speaker 2: this all the time. I know I'm asked this all 253 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:03,559 Speaker 2: the time. I don't think you and I. 254 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:06,959 Speaker 3: Can really even have a really good guest of it. 255 00:12:07,080 --> 00:12:10,440 Speaker 2: Maybe you can about when this runway would run out 256 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:14,120 Speaker 2: at least at least, you know, to give them a 257 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:19,040 Speaker 2: breather at Memphis. But I think they're on the clock. 258 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:20,880 Speaker 2: And when I say on the clock, I don't know. 259 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:23,240 Speaker 2: That's another thing. I don't know how many, how many. 260 00:12:23,559 --> 00:12:25,200 Speaker 2: I don't know how big the clock is as far 261 00:12:25,240 --> 00:12:28,040 Speaker 2: as time, or they'll reset the clock. I don't know, 262 00:12:28,120 --> 00:12:31,040 Speaker 2: but they're going to have to pick it up now. 263 00:12:31,120 --> 00:12:33,680 Speaker 2: The one thing about Gorman I like, and it's not me, 264 00:12:33,880 --> 00:12:36,839 Speaker 2: you know, trying to be mister nice guy looking for positives. 265 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:39,360 Speaker 2: You know, when I was going over his stuff this morning, 266 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:43,560 Speaker 2: you know he his chase rate is way down this year. 267 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:46,280 Speaker 2: I mean he's really laying off a lot of bad pitches, 268 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:49,640 Speaker 2: and his walk rate's really good. Like I think his 269 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:52,680 Speaker 2: plate makes a lot more walks, right, I think his 270 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:56,520 Speaker 2: plate discipline has really improved now going into today, and 271 00:12:56,559 --> 00:12:57,960 Speaker 2: I think he's struck out a couple of times. 272 00:12:58,160 --> 00:12:59,840 Speaker 3: His strikeout rate is still a little too. 273 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 2: I was twenty seven percent, but it's not nearly as 274 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:07,080 Speaker 2: high as it was last year. So with Gorman, I 275 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 2: always thought that Listen, if he if he can have 276 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:15,800 Speaker 2: that plate discipline and that strike zone judgment, you know, 277 00:13:15,840 --> 00:13:18,960 Speaker 2: the rest will fall into place. Now, you know, I 278 00:13:19,120 --> 00:13:21,880 Speaker 2: in one of your colleagues at The Athletic wrote about this, 279 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:25,280 Speaker 2: although I swear you know I was looking into this too, 280 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:31,040 Speaker 2: you know, Aino Sarahs wrote about it. Walker's excuse me. 281 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:33,920 Speaker 2: Gorman has lost a lot of bat speed from last year. 282 00:13:33,960 --> 00:13:37,960 Speaker 2: So what's happening? And I looked this up his poll rate. Like, 283 00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:40,240 Speaker 2: first of all, his fly ball rate is the highest 284 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:42,959 Speaker 2: of his career. That's good because that's power zone stuff, right, 285 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:46,120 Speaker 2: But his poll rate is really really low, and his 286 00:13:46,120 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 2: exit velocity is really really down, so he's going to 287 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:51,520 Speaker 2: need to pull the ball to hit home runs. The 288 00:13:51,559 --> 00:13:53,800 Speaker 2: bat's not quick enough for him to pull as much 289 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:57,920 Speaker 2: as he has to, and the exit velocity, to me, 290 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:01,760 Speaker 2: is a clear indication of of the drop in batch beat. 291 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 2: Can he increase the batch beat? I think he can, 292 00:14:05,800 --> 00:14:07,920 Speaker 2: but I think it's worth pointing that out. What the 293 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:10,800 Speaker 2: one thing that's really holding him back? Right now? 294 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 1: Yeah? I agree, And maybe this is a microcosm of 295 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 1: the major swing overhaul that he's changed. You know, when 296 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:20,520 Speaker 1: I thought Ally had a good point over. I can't 297 00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:22,400 Speaker 1: remember what day it was, but we were talking about 298 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 1: if players like Walker or Gorman need to go back 299 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:27,200 Speaker 1: to what they were doing in twenty two or twenty 300 00:14:27,280 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 1: three when they were having success and all. He said, 301 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 1: I think that's the wrong way to look at it. 302 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:32,160 Speaker 1: I think if we tried to encourage these guys to 303 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 1: go back to what they were doing, they're not making 304 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:35,880 Speaker 1: any growth going forward. We need to find new ways 305 00:14:35,920 --> 00:14:38,520 Speaker 1: to ensure that they can have more consistent success, and 306 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 1: maybe that's part of some of the swing changes Gorman 307 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:42,320 Speaker 1: has made. I agree. It's a great point about the walks. 308 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 1: When you have a power hitter swing and missus is 309 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:46,080 Speaker 1: always going to be part of your game. So twenty 310 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:49,160 Speaker 1: seven percent for a power hitting guy, I think most 311 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 1: clubs will take that as long as the power is 312 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 1: coming through, and in Gorman's cases, you pointed out that 313 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:57,360 Speaker 1: hasn't been there. So it's worth monitoring both of these trends. 314 00:14:57,400 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 1: We know what to look forward with Gorman, we know 315 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,480 Speaker 1: what we're looking for with Walker. I had a chance 316 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:04,000 Speaker 1: to catch up with John Mozelok over the week. This 317 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:05,960 Speaker 1: story will also be out on The Athletic. In fact, 318 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:09,360 Speaker 1: I'm doing it right after this podcast, and it was 319 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:11,760 Speaker 1: a really good conversation and where he talked about the 320 00:15:11,840 --> 00:15:14,040 Speaker 1: runway being important and he said, look, we're still trying 321 00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 1: to win ball games, but the runway is important for 322 00:15:16,840 --> 00:15:18,480 Speaker 1: these players. And then he said something that I thought 323 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 1: was really interesting. He said, it's not infinite, so eventually 324 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 1: Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman are going to have to 325 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:27,240 Speaker 1: post numbers in production. But the Cardinals do not feel 326 00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 1: like they're at that point right now where they need 327 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:33,040 Speaker 1: to make drastic changes, and I expect my speculation is 328 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:35,000 Speaker 1: that will be that way through at least the month 329 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:38,400 Speaker 1: of May, maybe even into mid June, because caveat when 330 00:15:38,440 --> 00:15:40,720 Speaker 1: you play in the National League Central, if you are 331 00:15:40,760 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 1: hovering around five hundred, you are in it. We talk 332 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:45,520 Speaker 1: about this a lot on the podcast. They're what three 333 00:15:45,560 --> 00:15:48,080 Speaker 1: games out, and they had a terrible April, and they're 334 00:15:48,120 --> 00:15:50,960 Speaker 1: still very much in contention for the division. So I 335 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:53,280 Speaker 1: think the next six weeks for the Cardinals, and so 336 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:55,400 Speaker 1: much can happen in six weeks in a baseball season, 337 00:15:55,440 --> 00:15:57,480 Speaker 1: so bear with me. But the next six weeks for 338 00:15:57,520 --> 00:16:01,360 Speaker 1: Saint Louis are going to be so indicative showing where 339 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:04,040 Speaker 1: Jordan Walker is where Nolan Gorman is and where the 340 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:06,840 Speaker 1: Cardinals are, and we'll all plan to the decisions they 341 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:09,000 Speaker 1: make on the long term future. Now, the easy solution 342 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:12,320 Speaker 1: here they start to Rake problem solved, We're not talking 343 00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:15,120 Speaker 1: about this anymore. But if this current trend continues over 344 00:16:15,160 --> 00:16:18,080 Speaker 1: the next two to three weeks as the Cardinals approach June, 345 00:16:18,480 --> 00:16:20,080 Speaker 1: then I think they'll maybe have to make a decision 346 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:22,360 Speaker 1: on that runway. So that's what I'm monitoring, because again, 347 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 1: I think those two are by far the most fascinating 348 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:26,880 Speaker 1: names in this runway movement. So we'll see how the 349 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:28,400 Speaker 1: Cardinals go from there. But I did think it was 350 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:31,840 Speaker 1: interesting that most said the runway is not infinite. Cardinals 351 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:34,280 Speaker 1: fans check out that story. I think it goes up Friday. 352 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:37,600 Speaker 1: But it was a really candid, honest conversation with Moe Loo. 353 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:39,440 Speaker 2: Looking forward to that very very much, and I think 354 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:41,720 Speaker 2: you did a good job there of putting in a 355 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:45,200 Speaker 2: framework of the parameters as far as the timetable, and 356 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 2: the only question I have, yeah, they have some versatility 357 00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:52,760 Speaker 2: on the roster. I mean Donovan can play in the outfield, 358 00:16:52,840 --> 00:16:58,360 Speaker 2: Nut Bark and go to Wright. If Gorman went down, 359 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:00,840 Speaker 2: you know, well, well, First of all, listens get more 360 00:17:00,880 --> 00:17:04,920 Speaker 2: at bats now anyway, But if Gorman would go down, 361 00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:08,640 Speaker 2: then I you know, does that mean sa jac gets 362 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:11,080 Speaker 2: a chance to be the second baseman? You know? So 363 00:17:11,119 --> 00:17:14,159 Speaker 2: I'm wondering, like what the next step would be, and 364 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 2: there's we obviously know like one would go down and 365 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:20,600 Speaker 2: then maybe later another would go down. I'd be really 366 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:22,679 Speaker 2: surprised they sent both of them down at the same time. 367 00:17:23,359 --> 00:17:26,480 Speaker 2: But what how would the dominoes fall in your view? 368 00:17:27,080 --> 00:17:29,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's a fair question, I think you would one. 369 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:31,200 Speaker 1: I don't know what the Cardinals are going to do 370 00:17:31,240 --> 00:17:33,400 Speaker 1: when Yvon Herrera comes up. I don't know if he'll 371 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:35,840 Speaker 1: be activated by Friday. That was there like tentative. Maybe 372 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:38,840 Speaker 1: we'll see uh timeline, but I would expect at some 373 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:40,560 Speaker 1: point there's some three the sext road trip, we see 374 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:42,960 Speaker 1: Von Herrera. I don't know if Poso will stay or 375 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:46,320 Speaker 1: if Luken Baker goes down. You can make an argument 376 00:17:46,359 --> 00:17:48,600 Speaker 1: for both. I'm actually a little bit inclined to believe 377 00:17:48,640 --> 00:17:51,600 Speaker 1: my speculation that Poso would stay, just because I'm not 378 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:54,160 Speaker 1: sure if you want to push Herrera as the everyday 379 00:17:54,200 --> 00:17:56,960 Speaker 1: catcher coming back from a knee injury. We'll see so 380 00:17:57,440 --> 00:17:59,440 Speaker 1: that corresponding move a plane is something. I don't know 381 00:17:59,480 --> 00:18:01,639 Speaker 1: if we'll see JC and I, but I do know 382 00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:05,680 Speaker 1: we'll only see him if there's continuous room to play 383 00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:07,520 Speaker 1: every day. Right, That's the whole reason he went down 384 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:09,520 Speaker 1: in the first place. He wasn't gonna get consistent playing time. 385 00:18:09,960 --> 00:18:12,920 Speaker 1: You can do this where you have Donovan and left, 386 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 1: and you have new barn right and Scott's stays and center, 387 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:16,800 Speaker 1: and then you need a second basement, and that's how 388 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:19,160 Speaker 1: you could create your playing time versus JC. But that's 389 00:18:19,200 --> 00:18:21,600 Speaker 1: only if you end up optioning Gorman, and the Cardinals 390 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:23,640 Speaker 1: don't want to do that. The Cardinals do not want 391 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:26,480 Speaker 1: to option Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman. They want them 392 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:28,879 Speaker 1: to figure it out. That's why they're getting such an 393 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:32,159 Speaker 1: extended time to do so. So for storylines, I know, 394 00:18:32,160 --> 00:18:33,800 Speaker 1: we're always so caught up in like what's the next move, 395 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:37,760 Speaker 1: what's the next transaction? You know, the Cardinals cannot afford 396 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 1: to be impatient and after a week long slump just 397 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:43,200 Speaker 1: ship a guy out to Memphis. That's not the point 398 00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:45,200 Speaker 1: of the season. And to their credit, they have been 399 00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:49,680 Speaker 1: consistent about that, consistent about one thing and giving those 400 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 1: players runway, and they highlighted Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman 401 00:18:52,560 --> 00:18:54,960 Speaker 1: as their top two priorities for this. So we'll see, 402 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:57,040 Speaker 1: hopefully they figure it out, because it's a much more 403 00:18:57,040 --> 00:19:00,959 Speaker 1: exciting and better Cardinals team, especially offensively when those two 404 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 1: are swinging it. 405 00:19:02,400 --> 00:19:04,560 Speaker 2: And you know, far be it for me to defend 406 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:11,720 Speaker 2: John Moslak. But I know he never said, well, we're 407 00:19:11,760 --> 00:19:13,440 Speaker 2: going to commit to these guys and they're going to 408 00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:15,879 Speaker 2: be up here all year. No matter what he did, 409 00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:17,840 Speaker 2: he never said that. What he did say, and I 410 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:21,000 Speaker 2: think people like took that and you know this comments, 411 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:22,680 Speaker 2: they kind of thought he was implying that. 412 00:19:22,760 --> 00:19:22,840 Speaker 5: No. 413 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:25,320 Speaker 2: I mean, the quotes were out there a lot where 414 00:19:25,320 --> 00:19:27,560 Speaker 2: he basically says, what we would like to do is 415 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:31,200 Speaker 2: give them, you know, five hundred plate appearances, five hundred 416 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:33,879 Speaker 2: and fifty plate appearances, you know, and give them that 417 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:37,280 Speaker 2: full opportunity. But he never There was never a guarantee 418 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:41,080 Speaker 2: or even a strongly implied that they would be up 419 00:19:41,080 --> 00:19:44,040 Speaker 2: here all year no matter how bad they're hitting. 420 00:19:44,680 --> 00:19:47,359 Speaker 1: No, never, And the one thing that was consistent was 421 00:19:47,440 --> 00:19:49,879 Speaker 1: him insisting that the Cardinals are trying to win. And 422 00:19:49,920 --> 00:19:53,080 Speaker 1: you can volarize it that, but they are trying to 423 00:19:53,119 --> 00:19:57,760 Speaker 1: win with the roster that they have, and if if 424 00:19:57,800 --> 00:20:00,320 Speaker 1: you think that the Cardinals can maybe keep up this 425 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:02,960 Speaker 1: pace and stay right around five hundred again and maybe 426 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:05,040 Speaker 1: they could compete. That they're trying to win, which is 427 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:07,720 Speaker 1: why they didn't trade half their players, well half their players, 428 00:20:07,760 --> 00:20:09,600 Speaker 1: they couldn't. But it's why they have Eric Beetty on 429 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:11,520 Speaker 1: the roster still, It's why Steven Matts is still here, 430 00:20:11,600 --> 00:20:14,600 Speaker 1: It's why Brian Helsley is still here, because yes, they 431 00:20:14,600 --> 00:20:16,680 Speaker 1: are trying to develop players, but they are also still 432 00:20:16,680 --> 00:20:19,159 Speaker 1: trying to play competitive baseball and that has been the 433 00:20:19,160 --> 00:20:22,679 Speaker 1: message Moe has said since day one. So speaking of 434 00:20:22,680 --> 00:20:25,560 Speaker 1: Brian Helsley, by the way, perfect segue, because Bernie, it 435 00:20:25,600 --> 00:20:29,200 Speaker 1: is only right after we spend multiple episodes talking about 436 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:32,800 Speaker 1: the bullpen, maybe complaining about the bullpen, a therapy session 437 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:35,440 Speaker 1: about the bullpen every now and then. The bullpen had 438 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:38,680 Speaker 1: a really good week. So in this five game stretch, 439 00:20:39,280 --> 00:20:42,440 Speaker 1: just two earned runs over seventeen and two third relief innings, 440 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:46,440 Speaker 1: eight scoreless relief innings from the bullpen throughout the Pittsburgh series, 441 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:49,640 Speaker 1: and we have some usage changes here. You're gonna see 442 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:52,840 Speaker 1: Steven Matts and Gordon grisseto in short stints and relief 443 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:55,400 Speaker 1: for now for the immediate future, and you can read 444 00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:57,320 Speaker 1: about this on the Athletic. A lot of shameless plugs 445 00:20:57,320 --> 00:20:59,040 Speaker 1: from us today get used to it. We've been working 446 00:20:59,119 --> 00:21:02,560 Speaker 1: very hard. That's why, Bernie, and here's why. So we 447 00:21:02,640 --> 00:21:04,880 Speaker 1: know why the Cardinals did their six man ish rotation, 448 00:21:05,119 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 1: and we know about the importance of preserving depth and 449 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:10,320 Speaker 1: making sure that you're giving your starters the best chance 450 00:21:10,359 --> 00:21:11,120 Speaker 1: to stay healthy. 451 00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:11,600 Speaker 2: Well. 452 00:21:11,640 --> 00:21:15,399 Speaker 1: The Cardinals from today May seventh through the end of 453 00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:18,720 Speaker 1: the month have every Thursday off, so they can keep 454 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:20,960 Speaker 1: all five of their regular starters on a six day 455 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:23,800 Speaker 1: schedule without having to insert the hybrid role that belongs 456 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:27,080 Speaker 1: to Stephen Mattz. So for at least the next three weeks, 457 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:30,240 Speaker 1: maybe four, you will see Stephen mats use similar in 458 00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:32,639 Speaker 1: a role that Matthew Liberture was used last year. I 459 00:21:32,720 --> 00:21:35,600 Speaker 1: asked oll if that was a fair comparison to make, 460 00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:37,800 Speaker 1: and he said, that's exactly the way he's looking at it. 461 00:21:37,920 --> 00:21:41,040 Speaker 1: You'll see Stephen Matts either a high leverage lefty lane 462 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:45,000 Speaker 1: or multi innings where he can go ahead and you 463 00:21:45,040 --> 00:21:48,320 Speaker 1: know see maybe one to two, potentially three if they 464 00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 1: need it. Innings in relief Gordon Groseppo, same thing from 465 00:21:52,359 --> 00:21:56,160 Speaker 1: the right side. What a great week to be Gordon 466 00:21:56,160 --> 00:21:59,160 Speaker 1: grossepho first career win in Cincinnati if you know, five 467 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:02,560 Speaker 1: innings of relief, comes in on Monday, a scorelessening to 468 00:22:02,840 --> 00:22:06,000 Speaker 1: bridge the Cardinals to they're big guys at the end, 469 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:08,040 Speaker 1: and then picks up his first career save on Tuesday. 470 00:22:08,280 --> 00:22:10,840 Speaker 1: You'll see Gordon Groceppo in short stints, maybe not the 471 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:14,480 Speaker 1: length as Matt's, but they really want to see what 472 00:22:14,520 --> 00:22:17,439 Speaker 1: he can do as kind of the secondary tier. And 473 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:19,719 Speaker 1: when you figure out and think about why the Cardinals 474 00:22:19,800 --> 00:22:22,120 Speaker 1: are doing this, Bernie, we know they've had a very 475 00:22:22,119 --> 00:22:25,080 Speaker 1: hard time bridging to their setup men. They have a 476 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:28,679 Speaker 1: right handed or three right handers that they really like, 477 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:31,679 Speaker 1: Kyle Ahy, film Ay, Tom Ryan Helsley. They trust them 478 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:33,560 Speaker 1: a lot. The problem is they haven't been able to 479 00:22:33,560 --> 00:22:35,960 Speaker 1: get to them a lot. We know that Bryan Fernandez 480 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:37,840 Speaker 1: did not have the season start that he wanted. Jojo 481 00:22:37,880 --> 00:22:40,399 Speaker 1: Romero has looked better, but still working on that circle 482 00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:43,600 Speaker 1: of trust. So if you're the Cardinals, you're looking at 483 00:22:43,600 --> 00:22:46,160 Speaker 1: how to best get there. They think by putting Gordon 484 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:49,639 Speaker 1: Groseppo in and Steven Mattson, you'll have a better chance 485 00:22:49,680 --> 00:22:51,919 Speaker 1: to bridge to your big three in the back end 486 00:22:51,920 --> 00:22:54,199 Speaker 1: of the ball game. And that's what we saw in 487 00:22:54,240 --> 00:22:55,119 Speaker 1: the Pittsburgh series. 488 00:22:55,560 --> 00:22:58,359 Speaker 2: Yeah, a couple of things. Ali Marno told us on 489 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:05,119 Speaker 2: Tuesday that Dusty Blake found a mechanical flaw uh in 490 00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:09,800 Speaker 2: Romero's delivery, and they were they were mystified why his 491 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:13,240 Speaker 2: villa was so down, and Dusty Blake, you know, recommended 492 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:13,680 Speaker 2: to change. 493 00:23:13,720 --> 00:23:18,440 Speaker 3: They had a bullpen and apparently his villa went up. 494 00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:22,080 Speaker 2: So maybe there's there's there's a really good chance or 495 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:24,479 Speaker 2: just a chance that he'll be better from this point forward. 496 00:23:25,320 --> 00:23:27,520 Speaker 2: And then the other thing, and if I if you 497 00:23:27,520 --> 00:23:30,119 Speaker 2: don't mind me, you know, throwing a couple of numbers 498 00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:32,320 Speaker 2: out there, because and they're simple numbers. They're not I'm 499 00:23:32,320 --> 00:23:36,960 Speaker 2: not getting in esitaria here. You know, I'm not. No 500 00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:40,080 Speaker 2: one's blaming Ryan Fernandez for all the bullpen issues they had, 501 00:23:40,119 --> 00:23:42,159 Speaker 2: but let's be honest here. I mean, obviously it was 502 00:23:42,200 --> 00:23:44,399 Speaker 2: a huge deal because they thought he was going to 503 00:23:44,440 --> 00:23:47,040 Speaker 2: be the eighth inning guy and they didn't want to 504 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:50,119 Speaker 2: give up on that opportunity too soon. But he just 505 00:23:50,240 --> 00:23:53,280 Speaker 2: it just it just became hopeless and he had to 506 00:23:53,320 --> 00:23:56,280 Speaker 2: go regroup. Okay, here here's the here's what I want 507 00:23:56,280 --> 00:23:58,239 Speaker 2: to tell you. I looked at this, I did, I 508 00:23:58,240 --> 00:24:02,040 Speaker 2: did this early, this late, this after. Pardon me, you know, 509 00:24:02,200 --> 00:24:05,199 Speaker 2: with Fernandez bullpen, and I only use him because he 510 00:24:05,359 --> 00:24:08,680 Speaker 2: his demotion represented a turning point, that's all. He wasn't 511 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:12,560 Speaker 2: the only problem. Before he went down to Memphis, the 512 00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:17,200 Speaker 2: bullpen had a five to eleven ERA. There werelievers combined 513 00:24:17,240 --> 00:24:22,520 Speaker 2: to lose eight games. They had six blown saves and 514 00:24:22,560 --> 00:24:27,639 Speaker 2: only five saves. Okay, those are gruesome numbers all across 515 00:24:27,680 --> 00:24:32,080 Speaker 2: the board. Okay, since he was demoted and then the 516 00:24:32,119 --> 00:24:34,560 Speaker 2: first game they played after that was April to twenty fifth. 517 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:38,440 Speaker 2: Since that point, including today, the Cardinals bullpen's got a 518 00:24:38,480 --> 00:24:42,240 Speaker 2: two point six to six ERA. The relievers have four wins, 519 00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:46,000 Speaker 2: four saves, and only one blown save. And by the way, 520 00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:51,960 Speaker 2: the inherited runners percentage of scoring. It went from fifty 521 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:55,240 Speaker 2: percent when Fernandez was part of the bullpen and now 522 00:24:55,280 --> 00:24:59,920 Speaker 2: it's down to about thirty percent since this big change. 523 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:02,880 Speaker 2: The changes were starting to come in the bullpen. Now 524 00:25:03,720 --> 00:25:06,639 Speaker 2: to me, those are just really stark numbers that just 525 00:25:06,720 --> 00:25:09,639 Speaker 2: tell you the story. Like the before and the after picture. 526 00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:16,560 Speaker 2: This bullpen has been outstanding since about April and twenty fifth. There's, yeah, 527 00:25:16,560 --> 00:25:20,760 Speaker 2: could they strike out more guys, Sure, but you know 528 00:25:21,040 --> 00:25:25,160 Speaker 2: what you're talking about. They're you know, they're cultivating new sources. 529 00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:29,359 Speaker 2: They're giving more opportunities to different guys. They're also moving 530 00:25:29,440 --> 00:25:31,760 Speaker 2: up a guy like Kyle Lahy in a more high 531 00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:35,000 Speaker 2: leverage spots. They've known they'll do that with Grissefo. So 532 00:25:35,560 --> 00:25:39,400 Speaker 2: this bullpen remix since April twenty fifth is working very 533 00:25:39,480 --> 00:25:42,600 Speaker 2: very well. I don't think it's a fluke either, because 534 00:25:42,720 --> 00:25:45,720 Speaker 2: with them success, they're also getting Ryan Helsley into more 535 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:48,760 Speaker 2: games for save opportunities. And before that it was a 536 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:51,080 Speaker 2: huge problem because he was sitting around, sitting around, sitting 537 00:25:51,080 --> 00:25:54,400 Speaker 2: around for save opportunities that never came, and his sharpness 538 00:25:54,480 --> 00:25:57,119 Speaker 2: was really impacted in a negative way by that. Okay, 539 00:25:57,119 --> 00:25:59,520 Speaker 2: there you go. There's my presentation Katie. 540 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:01,560 Speaker 1: Oh on no Bernie, because I think it really puts 541 00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:04,320 Speaker 1: into perspective like just how good this bullpen has been. 542 00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:07,560 Speaker 1: And we naturally fixate on it when it's bad because 543 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:11,520 Speaker 1: it loses games. But it's been slowly but surely much 544 00:26:11,520 --> 00:26:13,960 Speaker 1: more effective. And talking to Dusty Blake, today, he said, Yeah, 545 00:26:14,080 --> 00:26:16,199 Speaker 1: as a group, our Rilo's coming up. We're being more 546 00:26:16,200 --> 00:26:18,359 Speaker 1: effective in the strike zone, and we have made some 547 00:26:18,440 --> 00:26:21,440 Speaker 1: changes in role usage. And here's why, bridging to those 548 00:26:21,480 --> 00:26:23,560 Speaker 1: guys like you mentioned or that we mentioned is so 549 00:26:23,560 --> 00:26:26,720 Speaker 1: so important. So the Cardinals played twenty seven games in April, right, 550 00:26:27,240 --> 00:26:29,640 Speaker 1: Seventeen of those twenty seven games were decided by three 551 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:34,440 Speaker 1: runs or fewer. Twelve of those seventeen games losses. And 552 00:26:34,520 --> 00:26:37,840 Speaker 1: where were those losses being really taking place? In the 553 00:26:37,920 --> 00:26:40,640 Speaker 1: late inning the seventh in eighth because the Cardinals could 554 00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:43,080 Speaker 1: not find a way to really bridge to Ryan Helsley. 555 00:26:43,560 --> 00:26:45,960 Speaker 1: So you think about twenty twenty four, I'll throw some 556 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:49,440 Speaker 1: numbers at you. The Cardinals went thirty one and twenty 557 00:26:49,440 --> 00:26:51,600 Speaker 1: five and one run games in twenty twenty four, and 558 00:26:51,600 --> 00:26:54,840 Speaker 1: they also had one of the most effective bullpens in baseball. 559 00:26:55,880 --> 00:26:57,879 Speaker 1: The reason that they were able to play or be 560 00:26:58,040 --> 00:27:00,680 Speaker 1: relatively successful those one run games is because of their bullpen. 561 00:27:00,920 --> 00:27:03,120 Speaker 1: You had Hellsley in the ninth lead saves or lead 562 00:27:03,160 --> 00:27:05,880 Speaker 1: baseball with forty nine saves. You had two setup men 563 00:27:06,040 --> 00:27:08,040 Speaker 1: Jojo Romero from the left side and your Kitchen from 564 00:27:08,040 --> 00:27:11,159 Speaker 1: the right side that were lights out and when they 565 00:27:11,160 --> 00:27:12,960 Speaker 1: couldn't go or they were having an off night. Your 566 00:27:13,000 --> 00:27:17,320 Speaker 1: secondary pieces and Ryan Fernandez and Matthew Libertore, you felt 567 00:27:17,359 --> 00:27:19,720 Speaker 1: comfortable slotting them in, especially in the second half of 568 00:27:19,720 --> 00:27:23,359 Speaker 1: the season. Well, the Cardinals are hoping that with lay 569 00:27:23,359 --> 00:27:26,680 Speaker 1: Hey and Mayton because lay yeah, they're all three right handers. 570 00:27:26,680 --> 00:27:29,160 Speaker 1: When you compare them with Helsley, lay he's not overly 571 00:27:29,200 --> 00:27:30,840 Speaker 1: splity at all though, so he can easily take a 572 00:27:30,880 --> 00:27:34,320 Speaker 1: lefty lane and he has before. If you have those three, 573 00:27:34,680 --> 00:27:37,240 Speaker 1: the Cardinals are hoping that Stephen Mats and Gordon Grisseppo 574 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:40,520 Speaker 1: can be those secondary pieces similar to how Fernandez and 575 00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:43,440 Speaker 1: Liberatore were used in twenty twenty four and when a 576 00:27:43,560 --> 00:27:46,280 Speaker 1: very small sample size, I know, but both Matt's Matth's 577 00:27:46,320 --> 00:27:48,880 Speaker 1: look good all year and Gricefo's stuff has really looked 578 00:27:48,920 --> 00:27:52,320 Speaker 1: good in short bursts. You're feeling so much better about 579 00:27:52,359 --> 00:27:55,200 Speaker 1: your bullpen. You have one of the best closers in baseball. 580 00:27:55,400 --> 00:27:57,560 Speaker 1: You have to get there to use him. And that's 581 00:27:57,560 --> 00:27:59,879 Speaker 1: what all he said is the most important thing. Bridging 582 00:27:59,880 --> 00:28:01,720 Speaker 1: to the back end of your relievers is the most 583 00:28:01,720 --> 00:28:04,960 Speaker 1: important thing in these ballgames. And I think the Cardinals 584 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:07,120 Speaker 1: have a good plan for the next few weeks as 585 00:28:07,119 --> 00:28:07,800 Speaker 1: to how to get there. 586 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:12,240 Speaker 2: And you know the other thing that's just so glaring, 587 00:28:12,359 --> 00:28:14,879 Speaker 2: and I'm telling you something you already know. But they 588 00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:17,840 Speaker 2: started off the season like their first five one run 589 00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:21,200 Speaker 2: games they lost. Since then, they've had five one run 590 00:28:21,240 --> 00:28:22,560 Speaker 2: games and they've won them all. 591 00:28:23,280 --> 00:28:27,399 Speaker 3: Well, why, what's the number one reason? The dramatic change 592 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:29,440 Speaker 3: and the quality of the bullpen and that bridge to 593 00:28:29,520 --> 00:28:31,479 Speaker 3: Ryan Hilstick, there's no doubt in my mind, that's what 594 00:28:31,520 --> 00:28:33,960 Speaker 3: it is. Oh, there's other factors. Your offense has to 595 00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:35,520 Speaker 3: score or do this, but a lot of them were 596 00:28:35,600 --> 00:28:39,680 Speaker 3: just low scoring games and it was a battle of 597 00:28:39,680 --> 00:28:43,120 Speaker 3: the bullpen type situation. And they have prevailed in five 598 00:28:43,160 --> 00:28:45,600 Speaker 3: straight of those five straight of those one run games, 599 00:28:45,800 --> 00:28:48,440 Speaker 3: and they've beaten some good teams in the process, you know. 600 00:28:48,560 --> 00:28:53,360 Speaker 3: So the bullpen, gosh, the bullpen was like just about 601 00:28:53,560 --> 00:28:57,480 Speaker 3: everything last year that had to do with their success, 602 00:28:57,560 --> 00:28:59,959 Speaker 3: just about everything, the predominant factor. 603 00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:04,880 Speaker 2: It was the predominant factor in why they were just 604 00:29:05,160 --> 00:29:08,200 Speaker 2: squandering so many leads and so many games and not 605 00:29:08,320 --> 00:29:11,640 Speaker 2: winning tie games. This year, it was a predominant factor. 606 00:29:11,720 --> 00:29:16,040 Speaker 2: Now during this upturn, once again, it's the predominant factor, 607 00:29:16,120 --> 00:29:18,640 Speaker 2: except it's positive the way it was in twenty twenty four, 608 00:29:18,720 --> 00:29:22,080 Speaker 2: except instead of being negative as it was earlier this season. 609 00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:27,719 Speaker 1: Yeah, both agree, And it's fascinating to see just how 610 00:29:27,800 --> 00:29:30,120 Speaker 1: quickly things changed, because around two weeks ago, I think 611 00:29:30,240 --> 00:29:32,000 Speaker 1: you and I were very much out on the bullpen 612 00:29:32,120 --> 00:29:35,239 Speaker 1: and we were very much questioning the Cardinals hovering, you know, 613 00:29:35,280 --> 00:29:37,560 Speaker 1: three or four games under five hundred for most of April. 614 00:29:37,760 --> 00:29:40,800 Speaker 1: All of a sudden new life for the Saint Louis 615 00:29:40,840 --> 00:29:43,640 Speaker 1: ball club. Now quickly before we wrap up here, they 616 00:29:43,640 --> 00:29:46,240 Speaker 1: have a big test not to be the certified five killer. 617 00:29:46,320 --> 00:29:48,920 Speaker 1: But the Cardinals are four and thirteen on the road. 618 00:29:48,920 --> 00:29:51,760 Speaker 1: We know this. They have nine straight on the road 619 00:29:52,000 --> 00:29:55,000 Speaker 1: starting on Friday, three in DC, three and Philly off day, 620 00:29:55,040 --> 00:29:59,640 Speaker 1: and three in Kansas City. Bernie. One thing, what needs 621 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:01,520 Speaker 1: to go right for the Cardinals to turn their road 622 00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:02,200 Speaker 1: rows around. 623 00:30:03,640 --> 00:30:06,360 Speaker 2: I think they have the bullpen in place to do it. Okay, 624 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:10,720 Speaker 2: so that's already changed since they you know, since they 625 00:30:10,800 --> 00:30:16,200 Speaker 2: started changing changing the roles and changing personnel. But the 626 00:30:16,280 --> 00:30:17,880 Speaker 2: other thing, and I don't have the numbers in front 627 00:30:17,920 --> 00:30:20,000 Speaker 2: of me now, I know the Cardinals bombed away in 628 00:30:20,040 --> 00:30:23,240 Speaker 2: that double heetter sweep at Cincinnati. But the Cardinals offense 629 00:30:23,280 --> 00:30:26,560 Speaker 2: has been really, really mediocre on the road, and it 630 00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:29,200 Speaker 2: doesn't make sense to me. I mean, Bush Stadium is 631 00:30:29,240 --> 00:30:31,800 Speaker 2: not exactly you know, the Great American ballpark. I mean, 632 00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:35,000 Speaker 2: it favors pitchers. Yet the Cardinals have performed very well 633 00:30:35,040 --> 00:30:37,680 Speaker 2: at home, even though the place is half empty most 634 00:30:37,680 --> 00:30:44,200 Speaker 2: of the time. But on the road, it's just a 635 00:30:44,280 --> 00:30:48,320 Speaker 2: huge it's a huge difference. And so if you one thing, 636 00:30:48,360 --> 00:30:50,200 Speaker 2: people ask me, why are they so bad on the road, 637 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:51,760 Speaker 2: or it's like, you know, what do they have to 638 00:30:51,760 --> 00:30:53,440 Speaker 2: do to turn around? Or you just asked that, but 639 00:30:54,120 --> 00:30:58,760 Speaker 2: I phrased that wrong, and I apologize. It's it's that, well, 640 00:31:00,400 --> 00:31:02,040 Speaker 2: they'll win more games on the road if they can 641 00:31:02,080 --> 00:31:04,120 Speaker 2: score more runs on the road and hit for more 642 00:31:04,160 --> 00:31:07,000 Speaker 2: power on the road. I mean, and I'm maybe simplifying, 643 00:31:07,120 --> 00:31:10,040 Speaker 2: but listen, the starting pitching is in good shape, perfect 644 00:31:10,080 --> 00:31:13,960 Speaker 2: noe is it in good shape? Yeah? The bullpens in 645 00:31:14,080 --> 00:31:17,280 Speaker 2: much better shape. So of all the all the factors 646 00:31:17,280 --> 00:31:19,280 Speaker 2: that led to their poor performance of the road at 647 00:31:19,280 --> 00:31:21,920 Speaker 2: this point, okay, and you know, and keep in mind, 648 00:31:21,960 --> 00:31:25,200 Speaker 2: they were what were they before that doubleheader two and 649 00:31:25,240 --> 00:31:25,960 Speaker 2: twelve on the road? 650 00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:26,400 Speaker 3: I think so. 651 00:31:28,040 --> 00:31:29,680 Speaker 1: They won two and a Cincinnati two. 652 00:31:29,760 --> 00:31:33,920 Speaker 2: Right, So the offense in those fourteen road games where 653 00:31:33,920 --> 00:31:36,239 Speaker 2: they lost twelve, the offense was just awful. It's I mean, 654 00:31:36,280 --> 00:31:38,200 Speaker 2: it's just like, I don't get this. Why are they 655 00:31:38,280 --> 00:31:40,160 Speaker 2: hitting so bad on the road and they're they're really 656 00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:42,560 Speaker 2: good at home? Eternal mystery. 657 00:31:43,040 --> 00:31:45,160 Speaker 1: I'm with you. Hopefully the return of even von Herrera 658 00:31:45,200 --> 00:31:47,600 Speaker 1: were whenever that is again not guaranteed. He'll be back 659 00:31:47,680 --> 00:31:49,480 Speaker 1: for the National Series, where the Cardinals will keep their 660 00:31:49,520 --> 00:31:52,120 Speaker 1: fingers crossed that he is. Hopefully that will help. We 661 00:31:52,160 --> 00:31:54,280 Speaker 1: saw a better day from Lars Newbar. He's been going 662 00:31:54,320 --> 00:31:56,040 Speaker 1: through it, but he did a nice job of keeping 663 00:31:56,040 --> 00:31:58,120 Speaker 1: his composure at least working walks when you know the 664 00:31:58,160 --> 00:32:01,360 Speaker 1: results offensively weren't there. Alec Burlison continues to swing a 665 00:32:01,400 --> 00:32:05,240 Speaker 1: hot bat. We will see. Yeah, Bernie, this was a 666 00:32:05,280 --> 00:32:07,640 Speaker 1: fun homestand I had a lot of laughs and I 667 00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:11,840 Speaker 1: think Cardinals fans enjoyed. And five and one in six games, 668 00:32:11,960 --> 00:32:15,920 Speaker 1: five straight, five hundred ball. We're in a good spot right. 669 00:32:15,840 --> 00:32:18,600 Speaker 2: Now, seven out of nine. And you know, closing thought 670 00:32:18,640 --> 00:32:22,600 Speaker 2: for me, just a little a little point on our 671 00:32:23,000 --> 00:32:26,520 Speaker 2: Victor Scott conversation. Someone who's been in Saint Louis since 672 00:32:26,560 --> 00:32:30,040 Speaker 2: the mid eighties and covered Whitey Herzog and all that, 673 00:32:30,280 --> 00:32:37,000 Speaker 2: and I'm familiar with the splendor of whitey ball and 674 00:32:37,040 --> 00:32:39,000 Speaker 2: the speed and the defense and the base running and 675 00:32:39,040 --> 00:32:41,720 Speaker 2: everything else. I mean, it was a wonderfully entertaining and 676 00:32:41,800 --> 00:32:45,200 Speaker 2: successful style of ball. But we in Saint Louis ten 677 00:32:45,280 --> 00:32:47,000 Speaker 2: to kind of live in the past and just want 678 00:32:47,040 --> 00:32:49,040 Speaker 2: to say, well, you know, Mike Methidi would drive me 679 00:32:49,080 --> 00:32:52,280 Speaker 2: crazy at spring training every year because the media would 680 00:32:52,320 --> 00:32:55,960 Speaker 2: ask because again everyone's like hanging on to this notion 681 00:32:56,080 --> 00:32:58,200 Speaker 2: that you can still play whitey ball, and I would 682 00:32:58,200 --> 00:33:00,960 Speaker 2: just sit there and go like this, you know, when 683 00:33:00,960 --> 00:33:03,400 Speaker 2: the questions were being asked Amithid, he would say, oh, yeah, 684 00:33:03,440 --> 00:33:06,120 Speaker 2: I big fan of white heros on baseball, and we 685 00:33:06,120 --> 00:33:06,680 Speaker 2: can do that. 686 00:33:06,920 --> 00:33:08,040 Speaker 3: We're going to try to do that. 687 00:33:08,520 --> 00:33:11,960 Speaker 2: And it's like, my, you don't have the personnel to 688 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:14,480 Speaker 2: do that. What are you talking about? You know? But 689 00:33:14,840 --> 00:33:19,200 Speaker 2: let me say this about Victor Scott. One message I've 690 00:33:19,240 --> 00:33:21,040 Speaker 2: gotten over the last few days, whether it be on 691 00:33:21,080 --> 00:33:23,400 Speaker 2: social media or friends or whatever, it's like, you know what, 692 00:33:23,960 --> 00:33:26,760 Speaker 2: we all go overboard about whitey ball because they're never 693 00:33:26,760 --> 00:33:29,040 Speaker 2: going to be able to do that again. Okay, but 694 00:33:30,240 --> 00:33:33,640 Speaker 2: Victor Scott could have played and started and been a 695 00:33:33,640 --> 00:33:37,880 Speaker 2: good player and an ideal match for the white heroson 696 00:33:37,960 --> 00:33:41,720 Speaker 2: style of baseball. That's probably the best compliment you can give. 697 00:33:42,680 --> 00:33:43,360 Speaker 3: I really mean that. 698 00:33:43,680 --> 00:33:47,320 Speaker 1: I completely completely agree. When I watch him play, I 699 00:33:47,360 --> 00:33:49,200 Speaker 1: think he's the perfect blend of old school and new 700 00:33:49,240 --> 00:33:52,440 Speaker 1: school Cardinal because he does all that whitey ball stuff, 701 00:33:52,880 --> 00:33:54,880 Speaker 1: like you say, but he has a little bit of flash, 702 00:33:54,960 --> 00:33:57,040 Speaker 1: a little bit of personality, a little bit of swagger, 703 00:33:57,480 --> 00:33:59,800 Speaker 1: and I just think that's really fun to watch. I 704 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:02,360 Speaker 1: think if you took a poll of Cardinals fans, at 705 00:34:02,480 --> 00:34:04,440 Speaker 1: least half would say Victor Scott the second right now 706 00:34:04,520 --> 00:34:07,040 Speaker 1: is if not their favorite player, their their favorite one 707 00:34:07,080 --> 00:34:10,520 Speaker 1: to watch, and rightfully so, he's been great. So hopefully 708 00:34:11,000 --> 00:34:13,600 Speaker 1: Victor carries on those good vibes. Hopefully the Cardinals carry 709 00:34:13,600 --> 00:34:15,319 Speaker 1: on those good vibes. This podcast is a lot more 710 00:34:15,360 --> 00:34:17,520 Speaker 1: fun when the Cardinals are winning. I will say that 711 00:34:18,239 --> 00:34:19,920 Speaker 1: more stuffy coming up at the end of the week. 712 00:34:20,360 --> 00:34:22,120 Speaker 1: I'll be on all three cities on that road trip. 713 00:34:22,160 --> 00:34:23,960 Speaker 1: I haven't done a three city road trip in a while, 714 00:34:24,120 --> 00:34:26,400 Speaker 1: but I love DC. I've never been affilly in Kansas 715 00:34:26,400 --> 00:34:28,560 Speaker 1: City's easy. We're right across the state, so plenty of 716 00:34:28,600 --> 00:34:31,640 Speaker 1: fun content coming from you or coming for you. From 717 00:34:31,719 --> 00:34:35,879 Speaker 1: the Athletic, from Cardinal Territory, from Bernie, you know where 718 00:34:35,880 --> 00:34:38,600 Speaker 1: to find us. We will talk to you soon. Thanks, 719 00:34:38,640 --> 00:34:39,800 Speaker 1: as always for watching. 720 00:34:40,160 --> 00:34:55,840 Speaker 2: By bye.