Seems Oh is getting pretty shaky.
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Never liked guys that throw up in the zone with only middling velocity. I'm not sure if he got by last year on batted ball luck or if his delivery was just deceptive enough to fool people his first pass around the league, but either way he's nothing more than an average middle reliever.
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His slider seemed quite solid last year as an out pitch. I have watched very little this year.
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Looking at Fangraphs his stuff statistically didn't seem to reflect any major drops from last year.

His location does seem off more this year and he seems to need to produce more effort to hold velocity. However I think the difference is more familiarity. Last year you could see hitters more jumpy with his synchopated delivery coupled with enough velocity and movement to keep them off balance.

Last night (and several times this year) hitters are more relaxed able to stay back and "load up" against him. I could be wrong but I fear we may be heading into a Ryan Franklin situation.

Of course Matheny completely misreads his bullpen again. "Good Rosenthal" comes out relaxed and throwing strikes well rested after the break and instead of sending him back out there (in a tie game mind you) he brings in Oh.

Oh and F Piscotty, he needs to go down. Right now he has none of his natural tools working. He never could run well. His arm is now erratic as hell and he makes decisions on when to use it like a little leaguer. He isn't getting on base and his slugging percentage has regressed considerably.
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Pretty much every recent move by Mo has looked like shit.

Piscotty
Oh
Wong
Grichuck
Leake
Fowler

All playing at below value except Grichuck who is cheap but still is playing like a JAG.

Wong has his moments but cant stay healthy and turns nuts about 50% of the time with errors and poor play.

And Carp still looks to be another JAG.
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He probably will waste this window of opportunity to get some decent value for Carpenter. Couple him with Lynn or Leake and go after one of the Yankees top 2 prospects. Or see what you get from the Red Sox for Carpenter or Gyorko.

Carpenter's obvious mind f### hitting anywhere but lead off pisses me off.
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Something we can agree on.
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Matheny leaves in the .150 hitting Martinez to bat in the 6th with 2 on down by one and gets away with it.
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I'm avoiding the cesspool next door.:-)
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How many ways can Matheny figure out a way to blow a game?
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Don't forget our man of the hour Brett Cecil
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I don't know how you could blame Matheny for that one. Oh has been terrible in the 9th, Rosenthal has been shaky, and Cecil has been very good. He gave Cecil a chance today and he blew it.
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Rosenthal needs to be the closer period. He doesn't do as well in lesser roles and he will blow some games but he is better than anything else they have and it isn't close.

Cecil had a streak of good play but to put him in to close? Seriously?
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Without looking up any stats, I would venture to say Cecil has been the Cardinals best or second best reliever since the start of May.
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Rosenthal is even worse in the 9th.

Besides, "He sucks worse at the easier job" is what had Donald Stephenson starting at LT for us at one point.

You don't get to fail your way to the top.

Cecil earned that shot. He'll, he's been so much better than everyone else we have over the last 6-8 weeks that he's probably earned another one. I don't like the signing but it's a meritocracy and he's pitched well recently.

Or hell, toss Brebia or Bowman out there.

Rosenthal's embarrassing 2016 and bed-wetting in the 9th in '17 entitles him to no further deference. He can wait in line for his turn again but he blew a golden opportunity 3 weeks ago and I see no reason why he should just be given it back.
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