You cannot . . . .

[gocds]

Commit silly (3) errors against a decent team and expect to win. We lose 5-4 because we are not concentrating defensively OR offensively. Our “team leaders” are coming up short both in the field and at the plate. It’s very discouraging. Actually our pitching was pretty good today so they cannot be blamed. Hopefully, we’ll get back on track tomorrow. We really need to. Clemson is playing their butts off and should get credit.

GO CARDS!!!

 

[TheRealVille]

Doesn't help when Bryce Harper suddenly is playing college ball for Clemson.

The Tigers own UofL baseball, even during the Cards huge success since joining the ACC. They have won something like 8 out of the last 10.

It's all about confidence in college baseball and the Clemson playes believe things will go their way against Louisville because they have been. There's certainly no pitcher on the Cards staff that can counteract that like McKay or Detmers did.

Just like football and basketball, UofL baseball was hurt by Covid more than a lot of teams in the ACC.

 

[earsky]

I'll go out on a limb and say that despite everything we've seen so far, we're still pretty good. Still think that although we might not end up a top 8 seed,we could still win a National Championship.
I know, I know.
I've seen some seriously good teams pass thru here in the last 10 years that weren't good enough in June.
It's up to the offense to get on fire and carry this team.

 

[earsky]

Our “team leaders” are coming up short both in the field and at the plate

Likely the pink elephant in the room that rears his head every year about this time...the draft. The guys don't look like they're having fun,too tightly wound.
I don't know how this is remedied, but it has to be about the name on the front of the jersey or team goals will not be achieved.
Just play the game for the team and you'll shine as an individual.

 

[nccardfan]

Likely the pink elephant in the room that rears his head every year about this time...the draft. The guys don't look like they're having fun,too tightly wound.
I don't know how this is remedied, but it has to be about the name on the front of the jersey or team goals will not be achieved.
Just play the game for the team and you'll shine as an individual.

IMHO, this is grossly overrated. Every team is subject to the draft and I don’t see Vanderbilt players fretting. Baseball is a mental challenging game, both individually and as a team. Look at Rushing for an example, he came in this season going to be or at least share the majority of time at 1st base. Then he was relegated to the DH role because scouts wanted to see Binelas at 1st. Well, if you’re the DH, you have to hit. He wasn’t getting it done and got benched. He could have said ok and given up on the season but he didn’t. Now he’s back into the lineup, but guess what? Metzinger’s, Leonard, Payton and even Usher’s time gets affected. It’s the plus and minus of having a surplus of talent. It’s the coaches challenge to make it all work.

 

[gocds]

IMHO, this is grossly overrated. Every team is subject to the draft and I don’t see Vanderbilt players fretting. Baseball is a mental challenging game, both individually and as a team. Look at Rushing for an example, he came in this season going to be or at least share the majority of time at 1st base. Then he was relegated to the DH role because scouts wanted to see Binelas at 1st. Well, if you’re the DH, you have to hit. He wasn’t getting it done and got benched. He could have said ok and given up on the season but he didn’t. Now he’s back into the lineup, but guess what? Metzinger’s, Leonard, Payton and even Usher’s time gets affected. It’s the plus and minus of having a surplus of talent. It’s the coaches challenge to make it all work.

I believe CDM gets the job done as well as any college baseball coach in the game. The record screams this and if you don’t believe this then you just don’t know as much about college baseball as you think you do. It’s ok to be critical of CDM because he’s more critical of himself than either you or I could ever be. And, yes, the draft does come into play. Nobody knows whom will be drafted any more than the players and the coaches do. Their anticipation is telling.

GO CARDS!!!

 

[earsky]

IMHO, this is grossly overrated.

I can tell you for a fact that it's not overrated. I can't speak as to what Vandy is doing,but I've been to a lot of games over the past 10 years or so. I've spent a lot of time hanging out down the 1st base line.
I hear the chatter from the families. It's not usually about how the team is doing. I'm not condemning young men or their families, given what's at stake.
gocard hit it squarely on the head
It's up to the leaders of the team to get everyone on the same page.
I'm merely talking about the pink elephant.

 

[nccardfan]

I believe CDM gets the job done as well as any college baseball coach in the game. The record screams this and if you don’t believe this then you just don’t know as much about college baseball as you think you do. It’s ok to be critical of CDM because he’s more critical of himself than either you or I could ever be. And, yes, the draft does come into play. Nobody knows whom will be drafted any more than the players and the coaches do. Their anticipation is telling.

GO CARDS!!!

The draft this year is after the post season. How is that any different than any sport. All great players in any sport think about being drafted. Doesn’t mean it affects their play.

 

[nccardfan]

I can tell you for a fact that it's not overrated. I can't speak as to what Vandy is doing,but I've been to a lot of games over the past 10 years or so. I've spent a lot of time hanging out down the 1st base line.
I hear the chatter from the families. It's not usually about how the team is doing. I'm not condemning young men or their families, given what's at stake.
gocard hit it squarely on the head
It's up to the leaders of the team to get everyone on the same page.
I'm merely talking about the pink elephant.

That’s the problem. It’s the families who worry about the draft. If the player is focused or worried about the draft, he’s not helping the team. And I wasn’t being critical of Dan. If there is a coach who prepares his players to handle the draft, it’s Dan.

 

[CardX]

Likely the pink elephant in the room that rears his head every year about this time...the draft. The guys don't look like they're having fun,too tightly wound.
I don't know how this is remedied, but it has to be about the name on the front of the jersey or team goals will not be achieved.
Just play the game for the team and you'll shine as an individual.

I don’t think there’s any question the canceled Pitt series and 9 day layoff has hindered the club. They don’t seem dialed in. After Vandy comes to town and lights us up like a Roman Candle, perhaps the team will re-awaken.

 

[TheRealVille]

This series just shows how bad the Cards pitching staff is. Half of them struggle to throw strikes. A fundamental a pitcher must have or he's a liability.

 

[earsky]

They don’t seem dialed in.

Agree,but why?

 

[earsky]

If the player is focused or worried about the draft, he’s not helping the team

 

[earsky]

I'd rather just get it out there now instead of after we bow out in June (hypothetically speaking).

 

[CardX]

Agree,but why?

The lay-off would be the logical answer. Team leadership may be another.

 

[earsky]

The lay-off would be the logical answer. Team leadership may be another.

I'm okay with the rust part,just not the mental approach part.

 

[rh62531]

I believe the "layoff" is a poor excuse. This team was dialed up by Wednesday's matchup that they should not have been, period. Errors have been plentiful. You can't depend on any pitcher on any given day, and never know if team will hit or swing at anything. The amount of talent on this team versus what they show on the field is perplexing and disappointing on all levels.

 

[CardX]

I believe the "layoff" is a poor excuse. This team was dialed up by Wednesday's matchup that they should not have been, period. Errors have been plentiful. You can't depend on any pitcher on any given day, and never know if team will hit or swing at anything. The amount of talent on this team versus what they show on the field is perplexing and disappointing on all levels.

Baseball is a game of rhythm. When that is disrupted for nine days, yes, that has an impact.

 

[Deeva]

Just have to keep grinding. Go Cards!

 

[PHCARD]

So our 3 homers in the 1st inning wasn’t enough to get our team’s rhythm going? Blood flowing, adrenaline going, avoiding a sweep?

 

[nccardfan]

I believe the "layoff" is a poor excuse. This team was dialed up by Wednesday's matchup that they should not have been, period. Errors have been plentiful. You can't depend on any pitcher on any given day, and never know if team will hit or swing at anything. The amount of talent on this team versus what they show on the field is perplexing and disappointing on all levels.

The layoff definitely played a role. However, who’s to say that we might have suffered a similar fate against a ranked Pitt team? The red flags are there. Kirian has not pitched great his last 3 outings. Our #2 is a freshman who did not pitch his SR year due to Tommy John surgery. He’s started 8 games and has recorded a record (0-0). We all know about Luke’s struggles but before today 7 of his last 8 hits given up were HRs. This team does not have a closer so nobody on the team has any confidence in a pitcher that can shut down opposing teams. The FR usually hit a wall about this time as they are not accustomed (their arms and bodies) to the number of college games vs high school. Plus a lot of the FR didn’t even have a senior Hs season due to Covid.

 

[TheRealVille]

It had nothing to do with the layoff in my opinion. We just don't have top notch pitching and ever since McDonnell has been here, there was always a few guys who could be relied on.

Right now our number one starter is really a closer who in prior seasons would be the weekday starter. The number two starter is a true freshman who is probably the lone pitcher on the team who's performing over his expectations. The number three starter has regressed so much since his first year it's difficult to see him getting it back.

The bullpen has been horrendous with the injuries not helping and it looks like the game has caught up with Adam Elliot who I've always been amazed of his past success. On a championship team Elliott's a left on left specialist or a set up man for a closer. And of course the Cards have no closer because he's now the number one starter.

Clemson was on a roll with tons of confidence because they have had little problems beating the Cards in ACC play. They were at home and comfortable and when they saw average to below average pitching, they went off.

We're just not anywhere near a complete baseball team.

 

[2330859]

I still like this team, but I think what we just witnessed at Clemson is similar to what we saw in early mid week losses including at home against UK. GOCDS is correct, the 3 errors are a good indication of kids lossing focus.

Freshman Caden Grice performance might be as impressive and as influential in a college baseball series as I have ever witnessed. One could argue that he literally won two of the three games.

One obvious difference was their DH versus our DH. Rushing‘s Ofer performance is unacceptable for any serous contender and somehow we must obtain some contribution from that strategic role every single game. A HR every once in a while is not sufficient reason to man that position in the lineup.

 

[Bardman]

I keep reading our #2 starter being a FR. Seed is a Juco guy. After a somewhat rough start to the season he has been pretty steady. Luke Smith has overachieved since being here - which is great. He has certainly struggled. Kirian has been solid even with some recent struggles. I am not so sure now that the starters are just pressing too much as they know - if they have to come out the pen is going to get rocked.

 

[gocds]

I’m convinced that Clemson is as good as anyone on our schedule including Vandy. Even though I’m aggravated with our play this past weekend this isn’t the first time we’ve lost three in a row. I’ll just wait a few more games before I’ll pronounce this team as dead. In my opinion we are far from being dead as a team. I’m more aggravated by the errors, lack of inspired pitching and our very lackluster hitting. Perhaps we are in a slump - those things happen to the best teams.

GO CARDS!!!

 

[nccardfan]

I keep reading our #2 starter being a FR. Seed is a Juco guy. After a somewhat rough start to the season he has been pretty steady. Luke Smith has overachieved since being here - which is great. He has certainly struggled. Kirian has been solid even with some recent struggles. I am not so sure now that the starters are just pressing too much as they know - if they have to come out the pen is going to get rocked.

Bardman. My bad. Yes Seed is a Juco guy but technically a sophomore and coming off having Tommy John surgery. His era is outstanding but he is technically winless in 8 starts meaning he wasn’t able to pitch long enough to record a victory. He’s done great as far as I’m concerned but he was penciled in as our mid week starter not our #2.

 

[WKCard]

I’m convinced that Clemson is as good as anyone on our schedule including Vandy. Even though I’m aggravated with our play this past weekend this isn’t the first time we’ve lost three in a row. I’ll just wait a few more games before I’ll pronounce this team as dead. In my opinion we are far from being dead as a team. I’m more aggravated by the errors, lack of inspired pitching and our very lackluster hitting. Perhaps we are in a slump - those things happen to the best teams.

GO CARDS!!!

Plus that is simply Clemson.

 

[Bardman]

Bardman. My bad. Yes Seed is a Juco guy but technically a sophomore and coming off having Tommy John surgery. His era is outstanding but he is technically winless in 8 starts meaning he wasn’t able to pitch long enough to record a victory. He’s done great as far as I’m concerned but he was penciled in as our mid week starter not our #2.

I don’t disagree really. His support has been suspect in several outings. I think it just took some time for him to acclimate to this level of baseball. The issues, as we all know, run deeper. L Smith’s erratic pitching; Poland out since the opening weekend - returns and yikes; Perkins can’t throw strikes; Elliot I guess is now having issues, and the list goes on. Tate, Webster and Galvan have been pretty good.

 

[TheRealVille]

I’m convinced that Clemson is as good as anyone on our schedule including Vandy. Even though I’m aggravated with our play this past weekend this isn’t the first time we’ve lost three in a row. I’ll just wait a few more games before I’ll pronounce this team as dead. In my opinion we are far from being dead as a team. I’m more aggravated by the errors, lack of inspired pitching and our very lackluster hitting. Perhaps we are in a slump - those things happen to the best teams.

GO CARDS!!!

More like wishful thinking on your part. It is what it is. Pitching at a high level in college is what separates the best teams from the wannabes. You're used to Louisville not being a wannabe so you're in denial of the current reality.

But hey, maybe there's a baseball miracle and the Cards pitchers will suddenly be able to throw strikes and the defense will stop committing errors?

 

[CardX]

Upon further reflection, there are many reasons for the team's struggles this year. No sense in repeating them. At the end of the day, you just have to say to yourself, it's one of those years. They happen. There are, however, about 200+ programs out there that would kill to have our "down" year.

 

[earsky]

I was really hoping to see the pitching staff get healthy and get it going. I think the bullpen could still get healthy and be better than it is now.
That just leaves the weekend starters..
actually all the starters. We can't feel good about that part at all.
Idk,the offense could carry the team,but not watching strikes and swinging at balls.

 

[TheRealVille]

Don't be surprised if we end the regular season with such a losing stretch, we don't even make the postseason. We can forget about a top 8 seed or hosting anything.

If we lose quickly in the ACC tournament after losing 10 out of our last 14 we will be sitting home.

Most likely we'll get in as a 3 or 4 seed of a regional.

 

[Bardman]

I think that is a pretty dim look on things. I think they still get a top 16 seed and host a regional. If they handle business vs Duke they can quickly get their heads straight.

 

[TheRealVille]

Calling it like I see it. Who says we're going to take care of Duke this weekend?

I'm sorry but this is about as clear as it can be with this team. It seems to me you're still including the programs past achievements to help you believe this team will be a top 16 seed.

Coach McDonnell would supplant his legend status here if he can somehow get his pitching staff to improve dramatically and have the Cards in the hunt for Omaha.

I just don't see it. I've watched a lot of baseball over the years and this is one of the worst pitching staffs I've seen at Louisville. The opponents are only going to be better and even more desperate to beat the ACC powerhouse Cardinals.

Hope I'm wrong but it's not looking good.

 

[gocds]

Calling it like I see it. Who says we're going to take care of Duke this weekend?

I'm sorry but this is about as clear as it can be with this team. It seems to me you're still including the programs past achievements to help you believe this team will be a top 16 seed.

Coach McDonnell would supplant his legend status here if he can somehow get his pitching staff to improve dramatically and have the Cards in the hunt for Omaha.

I just don't see it. I've watched a lot of baseball over the years and this is one of the worst pitching staffs I've seen at Louisville. The opponents are only going to be better and even more desperate to beat the ACC powerhouse Cardinals.

Hope I'm wrong but it's not looking good.

I’m not only hoping you’re wrong I’m rooting for you to be wrong. We’ll see.

GO CARDS!!!

 

[earsky]

Lots of unlikely things have happened over the years here late in the season.
Being on cruise control, falling flat on our faces in the post season,taking a high seed into Omaha,not producing.
It's unlikely as well to think that a struggling squad could get it together late and get on a roll.
Oh well, here's to unlikely scenarios coming to fruition once again... starting tomorrow.

 

[gocds]

I still like this team, but I think what we just witnessed at Clemson is similar to what we saw in early mid week losses including at home against UK. GOCDS is correct, the 3 errors are a good indication of kids lossing focus.

Freshman Caden Grice performance might be as impressive and as influential in a college baseball series as I have ever witnessed. One could argue that he literally won two of the three games.

One obvious difference was their DH versus our DH. Rushing‘s Ofer performance is unacceptable for any serous contender and somehow we must obtain some contribution from that strategic role every single game. A HR every once in a while is not sufficient reason to man that position in the lineup.

I like your comments. The DH comment was spot on. Our DH is virtually an automatic out and that is totally unacceptable.

GO CARDS!!!

 

[TheRealVille]

I’m not only hoping you’re wrong I’m rooting for you to be wrong. We’ll see.

GO CARDS!!!

I join you in rooting that I'm wrong. I would love to eat crow. It's so frustrating watching the same issues not being corrected and getting worse. I usually don't trash my teams so this isn't easy for me.

 

[2330859]

GOCDS is closer to the truth than some may appreciate; as this Clemson team is as talented as any team in America; they just started to find themselves about 4 weeks ago. Looking at their record would suggest otherwise, but if you take the time to look at their individual player biographies and their batting averages, you will see that last weekend’s sweep of UL was no fluke. Did we contribute to the consecutive losses? Absolutely, you could see there was a lack of focus the entire weekend, and I could see from a distance that CDM was acutely aware of it.

Before some of you give up on this team, remember that heading into last weekend, this same roster was in 1st place in the ACC. Regrettably the sweep resulted in ND a taking over that position.

 

[Senore2006]

Been a while since I visited over here but after reading this thread, I give full marks to this conversation which is high quality and pretty brutally realistic. In a way, i is refreshing. I should read here more often. As a complete Cards Baseball junky, this year is ripping my heart out, like it has for many here. Obviously, an admitted junky is not going down easy, lol................and I will certainly watch whatever we do, closely.

Pitching.....................gulp

I suppose it was too easy to believe a 6' 6" closer whose arm basically never failed us in his various roles - including being our Ace this season - would simply tire from the amount of work we have demanded. I suspect this is the root of Michael's problems, now tossing batting practice to red hot Virginia and Clemson in consecutive games. If indeed this is the case, then we put a cap on the bottle of the season, imo. Missing Albanese as we have is Part 2 of the dismal potential gone 180 degrees of bad.

Luke Smith seems to believe it is a myth that he needs to keep the ball closer to the ground. Among our gopher ball pitchers, Luke, Kuhner and Adam have competed for the record of horridly bad pitches on 2 strike counts. That, my friends, is completely embarrassing. Is Roger calling for the wrong pitch?? Perhaps. It's not as if his record (Burdi, twice) is that sterling, frankly. This season he succeeded in making me nervous as hell. Without overpowering pitching, of which we have never had NOT ONE dominator, this staff has encountered some stiff headwinds,

And Lord knows the overall affects of the hopelessness of the relief core up to now. Throwers unable to even throw strikes, much less hit their spots, made the defense sit back on their heels interminably, victims, actually, of a pace designed to deflect any interest at all in the game. I think this cancerous worm snuck into our psyches and have weakened us in ways which might even be strictly psychological. If so, there is little that is more corrosive.

The legacy of this team is still being written. I take some heart there. Obviously, we have talent, even on the mound. I would like to think tweaking Kirian's mechanics could somehow bring him back into his loop. I have no idea how sure or unsure I should be regarding Albanese, but if my some miracle he comes back and does well, that also changes the look. Seed is frankly a terrific #3 - he always keeps you in ball games. With the return of Poland, Corbett and Prosecky, we cover for the disastrous elements which made opposing hitters lick their lips when we needed relief.

But it will take pitching to being this team back. The hitters are in a bruised and battered position after the layoff and then brutally failed pitching which threatens to end things. All things. I hold out hope - there is a month left. Lots of crap can happen.