Yardbarker: Brad Thompson

GameDay #147 vs. Cardinals

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:07:43 -0500

Cardinals (78-68) at Pirates (60-86)
7:05--PNC Park, Pittsburgh
Joel Piniero (6-5, 4.92) vs. Paul Maholm (8-8, 3.74)
[Preview]
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There have been rumblings about the Pirates maybe losing 100 games this year or not even winning again all season. That is almost understandable, considering how the team has played of late, even though there are 16 games remaining. However, Paul Maholm should make a few more starts, so I'd say we still have a chance...
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Actually, it'll be interesting to see how many innings Maholm gets down the stretch. We don't want to overwork him in meaningless games like these, but I sure wish we'd win him a couple. Paul probably has tonight and two more starts, and needs two wins to get to 10. He would be the only Pirate to reach double-digits, and that's pretty sad. Not as sad as zero, though.
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The Cardinals are still in the conversation, 4.5 out of the wild-card, so they really can't afford to lose these games. Brad Thompson was listed as tonight's starter, but Paul Meyer reports that is not the case.
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This is interesting: Apparently there's this Japanese phenom pitcher (Tazawa?) who is coming to America, and the Pirates are interested. It's going to cost a lot of money and it probably won't happen, but it's worth noting and is some small sort of excitement, since we really need some.
[WHYGAVS]
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If you can bear to read such a thing, [ESPN] has a funny article on just how pathetic the Pirates have been over the past 16 in the form of a 1,922 step process. My favorite:

Step 44. Use the eighth overall pick in the draft to select the NCAA's leading home run hitter.
Great move!

Step 45. Immediately announce you are making him a pitcher.
Curious move!

Step 46. Wonder why he can't keep his ERA below 10.00.
Move! You are about to be struck by another home run ball rocketing into the bleachers!

Thompson stands in as Cards beat Reds

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:41:52 -0500

Brad Thompson relieved Chris Carpenter in a manner of speaking, his five innings of work a solid contribution to a Cards win in Cincy.

Redbird Randoms...8/14/08 Wellemeyer, Thompson, Kennedy

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:27:06 -0500

Tidbits regarding the St. Louis Cardinals.

Three-oh-one right on time for Pujols in fourteenth

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:39:56 -0500

It took fourteen innings and all but one reliever for the Cards to end their losing streak, Pujols going long for the first time since Independence Day.

Mulder out early as Cards fall to Phils

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:36:26 -0500

Things don't look good for Mark Mulder. After 16 pitches, he as much as put himself on the bench. The Cards would use a half-dozen pitchers to complete the loss. (photo by Barbara Moore)

Mets exploit Wellemeyer's mechanical problems, tune own offense in 7-4 win

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:45:47 -0500

If the Mets were flat last night, they certainly made up for it tonight, throwing wrentches into Todd Wellemeyer's mechanically-challenged pitching, until David Wright atoned for his poor at-bats the night before with a home run. But Wright wasn't the only Met scoring. (photo by Barbara Moore)

David Wells and the Cardinals?

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:14:13 -0500

Gregg Clifton, the agent for pitcher David Wells recently reached out to the St. Louis Cardinals about a 1-year contract for his client. On paper, it would make sense why his agent did this, the Cardinals have a very unsettled rotation and a lot of question marks. The problem is thou his client Wells, is 44, and coming off a horrendous season. Maybe the worst of his career.

Phillies Beat Cardinals as Rout Nearly Turns Into Disaster

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 07:39:00 -0500

The Phillies pounded Cardinals pitchers for 5 homeruns, including 2 each by centerfielder Aaron Rowand and 1st baseman Ryan Howard, one of Howards' being a 6th inning grand slam which built the Phillies lead to 11-0. Pinch hitter Shane Victorino added the 12th run in the 8th inning with an RBI sacrifice fly. But the rout nearly turned around into a near total Phillies collapse by the 8th inning as the Cards scored 11 runs between the 6th and 8th innings. With the Phils clinging to a 12-11 lead, only Aaron Rowand's tumbling catch of Ryan Ludwick's two on, two out drive to the centerfield warning track saved the Phillies from a complete disastrous turnabout reminiscent of the infamous Mitch Williams game 4 of the 1993 World Series..

JoeSportsFan.com :: The Faces of Baseball

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:28:12 -0500

The act of pitching leaves photographers with some interesting choices for snapshots.