2008 Woodie Awards
From the editor: Bullpen struggles could leave the Cardinals behind in post season race
Catherine Klene
Issue date: 7/23/08 Section: Sports
At the quarter-pole of the Major League Baseball season, I was praising the overachieving St. Louis Cardinals for their ability to stay in a pennant race with a team that was seemingly stripped of proven talent in the off season.
But now, with more than 100 games in the bank, the Cardinals have gone from the gutsy underdog to contender, as they cling to the top spot in the National League wild-card race.
With the raised expectations comes raised criticism. The Cardinals won't need to look too far to figure out what happened if they miss the playoffs this year.
Coming off of a 2007 season where he converted 32 of 34 saves, Cardinals' closer Jason Isringhausen has been horrendous. He has only converted 11 of his 18 save opportunities, compiling a 1-6 record with an earned run average of 6.27.
This massive drop off has left the Cardinals scrambling to fill the all-important closer role.
Ryan Franklin has done an admirable job to this point, converting 14 of 18 save opportunities. While those numbers are not spectacular, they are certainly better than anything Isringhausen has done in 2008.
Yet, in the ninth inning Sunday, with the Cardinals clinging to a two-run lead against the San Diego Padres, it was Isringhausen, not Franklin, who got the call to close the game.
Almost on cue, Isringhausen gave up the two-run lead, and walked off the mound at Busch Stadium to a chorus of boos from the hometown fans.
It's not his fault though. He's just taking the ball whenever it is given to him.
What has become unexplainable is how it continues to be given to him. I don't care if he is eight saves away from 300. By running him out there, the Cardinals are basically telling us his personal records are more important than the team goals.
Ryan Franklin is not going to be confused with Mariano Rivera anytime soon, but at least he gives the Cardinals more stability in the ninth inning.
The fact remains, with a league leading 23 blown saves, and 20 losses, this bullpen top to bottom has been a major disappointment for the 2008 Cardinals.
If the Cardinals front office lets the trade deadline pass without addressing this weakness, then this team that has been so fun to watch will fall short again.
But now, with more than 100 games in the bank, the Cardinals have gone from the gutsy underdog to contender, as they cling to the top spot in the National League wild-card race.
With the raised expectations comes raised criticism. The Cardinals won't need to look too far to figure out what happened if they miss the playoffs this year.
Coming off of a 2007 season where he converted 32 of 34 saves, Cardinals' closer Jason Isringhausen has been horrendous. He has only converted 11 of his 18 save opportunities, compiling a 1-6 record with an earned run average of 6.27.
This massive drop off has left the Cardinals scrambling to fill the all-important closer role.
Ryan Franklin has done an admirable job to this point, converting 14 of 18 save opportunities. While those numbers are not spectacular, they are certainly better than anything Isringhausen has done in 2008.
Yet, in the ninth inning Sunday, with the Cardinals clinging to a two-run lead against the San Diego Padres, it was Isringhausen, not Franklin, who got the call to close the game.
Almost on cue, Isringhausen gave up the two-run lead, and walked off the mound at Busch Stadium to a chorus of boos from the hometown fans.
It's not his fault though. He's just taking the ball whenever it is given to him.
What has become unexplainable is how it continues to be given to him. I don't care if he is eight saves away from 300. By running him out there, the Cardinals are basically telling us his personal records are more important than the team goals.
Ryan Franklin is not going to be confused with Mariano Rivera anytime soon, but at least he gives the Cardinals more stability in the ninth inning.
The fact remains, with a league leading 23 blown saves, and 20 losses, this bullpen top to bottom has been a major disappointment for the 2008 Cardinals.
If the Cardinals front office lets the trade deadline pass without addressing this weakness, then this team that has been so fun to watch will fall short again.
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