Playoff IGD: Padres @ Cardinals (8 Oct 06)

first pitch: 5:05 p.m., PT
television: FOX
matchup: Woody Williams (12-5, 3.65 ERA) vs Chris Carpenter (15-8, 3.09 ERA)
previews: Padres.com | SI.com | ESPN
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Do I like the Padres chances in this one? Depends on the context, I suppose. I like them better than, say, the Dodgers’ or the Yankees’ chances. Maybe not quite as good as the Cardinals’ chances. Then again…

The Padres have won eight of Woody Williams’ last nine starts dating back to August 13, the lone exception being a 7-4 loss at Arizona on August 28. And the last time Chris Carpenter faced the Padres in St. Louis, on September 26, he coughed up six runs en route to a 7-5 loss at the hands of the Friars.

Grasping at straws? Maybe. A little. But there’s still a game on the schedule, which in my book means anything is possible.

As for Game 3, I haven’t had much to say. To call Saturday’s victory “great” is an understatement, as without it, the season would be over for San Diego. Chris Young’s abuse of Albert Pujols was particularly impressive (although apparently not to Pujols). That said, the club’s lack of timely hitting remains problematic and is a topic that demands serious evaluation over the winter. Hitting 1-for-25 with runners in scoring position over a three-game series isn’t a solution to anything worth solving.

I guess the most that I can say about Game 3 is that the Padres survived it, and as long as they keep doing that, they’ve got a chance. For more detailed coverage of the game, I’d point you to my colleagues, Rich Campbell, Peter Friberg, and Vinay Kumar.

Speaking of Rich, thanks to the Dodgers and Yankees both being eliminated from the playoffs on Saturday, tonight’s Game 4 coincides with the Chargers game, which is being played here in San Diego. This doesn’t bother me, as football tends not to cross my radar until Thanksgiving, but for those torn, or even just looking for a good Chargers blog, I encourage you to visit Rich’s excellent Chargers Confidential.

Otherwise, feel free to hang out with us here at Ducksnorts as we watch what we hope won’t be the Friars’ final game of 2006. Go Padres!

401 Responses »

  1. 97 it has been fair I think. both have got some pitches in the inning.

  2. And now Carpenter has found the strike zone.

  3. At least we executed a rundown. Who says major league ballplayers can’s be taught!

    That was WAY too easy and fast an inning for Carpenter…

  4. make Carpenter throw pitches so we can get to that bullpen. follows up that with a 6 pitch inning. come on

  5. yeah..but something to keep in mind…this is the Padres, you know that nothing comes easy. We’re going to win this game..but it’s going to come down to Trevor saving it in the 9th…everyone strap in for a long night..

  6. 104: 7 pitch inning… UGH.

  7. Giles isn’t doing anything. Carpenter needed six pitches that inning, and four were to Woody. Yuck.

  8. link:http://www.baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=233

    you wonder who’d ask this question after games one and two. this was from a few days ago, I just realized it got on there: it’s off topic.

    “Ryguy86 (NY): Please convince me how Bruce Bochy is not a terrible manager. Someone has to get the blame if this team gets beat by a team that sucks.

    Marc Normandin: He’s not a terrible manager. He’s a terrible in-game strategist. If you could combine his skills with handling players with Buck Showalter’s game tactics, you’d have yourself quite the manager. Why can’t science work on splicing together useful manager traits?”

  9. Spiezio needs to shave that thing off. HE’s embarrassing himself on national TV.

  10. Molina? Really? I think I’ve seen enough of Woody.

  11. 110 he’s got the quick hook. and why is he throwing curves at carpenter? interesting.

  12. Seriously. No way Molina should crush you into the gap.

    Hensley is up again.

  13. With Molina’s lack of speed, I’m actually surprised they didn’t have CC bunt him over…Molina is no cinch to get home on a single.

  14. Hensley is up in the pen…

  15. Someone explain to me why Tony LaRussa is wearing sunglasses when it’s dark outside??

  16. Clay up already?

  17. tha’ts what Woody has to do to stay in the game, set up guys with the outside stuff and catch them creeping over the plate with that inside fastball.

  18. 115 – so we can’t read his eyes?

  19. 115. Same reason he still drives an IROC and has that haircut…

  20. #118…good call i guess…like those dolts playing poker on tv…

  21. Woody… 50 pitches through 2 innings… nice…

  22. Okay, threat averted. The hitters need to come up with a better plan against Carpenter. Hack-o-matic isn’t going to get it done.

  23. 119 because when you’re as cool as he is, the sun shines all day long?

  24. Time to get some more. Patience at the plate.

  25. The Woody Williams high-wire act makes it through the 2nd. Positive – Poo holes bats 2nd, not 3rd, this inning coming up

  26. can we tell Tony that the ’80′s called and they want their haircut back?

  27. tough to work Carpenter for a lot of pitches when he’s right in the zone, which he kind of is now

  28. #127 of course you can…AG has worked him for 5 pitches so far in the AB..

  29. Dammit. Ripped that one right at Prince Albert the Pmpous

  30. Sheesh…the book on Belliard is that he has no range. Wouldn’t know it by this series.

  31. Can i just say right now that I really really really really hate Belliard..

  32. Bard has had the worst luck in this series.

  33. The advance scouts have the Cards defense placed perfectly.

  34. Nice to have Piazza off the bench later for a high leverage situation.

  35. Belliard fielding that ball in short RF…how is he out there?

  36. Cripes…he got his glove on that one as well…that is a clean single 90% of the time…

  37. There – is that an E when he’s basically in RF?

  38. I’d like to see a lhb drop a drag, push bunt past the mound and take advantage of the fat kid playing the deep 2nd base…

  39. Damn…Cameron seems to have no clue up there against CC

  40. 138 – yes, that would be perfect. Or maybe take a page from Mr. Gwynn’s book and take the ball the other way.

  41. out be damned.. we should have put the 4th pitch in Pujol’s ear…

  42. Surprised that Albert didn’t stand to admire that out.

  43. WW falling behind every batter it seems like

  44. LaMar, don’t be silly; he can watch on TiVo later.

  45. Do we want WW to make a lot of pitches so he gets yanked sooner? He’s due up third next inning…

  46. Good inning by Woody. The hit from Edmonds looked like a reasonably good pitch, he just went down and got it.

  47. I let Woody finish the Cards lineup, with a quick hook ready, then yank him after the first base runner at the top of the order. He’s throwing a lot of curves, which means he’s either afraid (probably not), or he doesn’t trust his location on the fastball. It’s a tightrope act out there…

  48. Trouble is, Woody has worked Carpenter better than the rest of our hitters tonight.

  49. Fox, with all thier gimmicks, doesn’t have a k-zone like thing?

  50. Barfield just does not have it in him to be patient and work the count.