2011 World Series Game Four Prediction and Discussion

two hits and two walks in 8.1 IP due solely to the strike zone. And when the Cardinal hitters wax all rhapsodic, it’s because they’re what, so classy?

Major league hitters by nature detest praising opposing pitchers. But the Cardinals were one complimentary, hat-tipping bunch in assessing Holland’s performance. Third baseman David Freese said standing in the box against Holland was like facing Atlanta reliever Jonny Venters — "for eight innings.’’

“It’s not complicated,‘’ Berkman said. "He’s throwing 95-97 miles an hour from the left side. How many guys in the game do that? There’s a handful and they’re all studs. Jon Lester. CC Sabathia. David Price. There are very few of them out there. If he throws strikes, it’s going to be tough to hit him.’’

“You have to kind of expect the guy’s best shot,‘’ the Cardinals’ Matt Holliday said. "You can’t come in thinking, ‘Well, his last couple outings have been a little shaky.’ You have to try to prepare for the best Derek Holland you’re going to get. Unfortunately, we got him.’’

In the clubhouse after the game, the Cardinals walked a fine line. Yes, they conceded, the expanded strikes might have forced them to alter their approach and become less selective than they would have preferred.

“It’s important,‘’ Holliday said. "It makes it tough on us. You can’t take borderline pitches, so you have to be aggressive.‘’ Conversely, the St. Louis hitters knew it sounded like an excuse, and that quibbling over the strike zone in hindsight would be doing a disservice to Holland’s brilliant performance. After providing various assessments of the ball-and-strike tug-of-war to the first wave of reporters, Berkman was less forthcoming to the second. By the third wave, he simply shrugged and said, "The guy pitched a great game. That’s basically all you can say about him.’’

“I’ll be honest — he was very impressive,‘’ Freese said. "You don’t like to give too much credit to the opposing pitcher, but tonight he was fantastic.’’

We’re still doing the ‘meh’ thing? Oh well.

“Witness” beard was awesome and went well with his throwing: new meaning to "gun of the hand’. Holland’s moustache is on its own plane.

tony and the players were clearly frustrated with the strike zone. they also gave credit where they thought it was due.

all i said was that the strike calls were a little generous for holland, and that i thought that was A factor. i never said it was THE MOST IMPORTANT factor. i never said he didnt deserve some credit. i never said holland sucked, although i am going to say his mustache looks ridiculous. i am not sure who pissed in your cheerios. maybe it was ron kulpa. i am not giving a press conference so i dont have to spend time being courteous to derek holland. kissing his but had nothing to do with my point. i had an issue with the strike zone, so thats what i talked about.

"It’s important,‘’ Holliday said. "It makes it tough on us. You can’t take borderline pitches, so you have to be aggressive.‘’ Conversely, the St. Louis hitters knew it sounded like an excuse, and that quibbling over the strike zone in hindsight would be doing a disservice to Holland’s brilliant performance. After providing various assessments of the ball-and-strike tug-of-war to the first wave of reporters, Berkman was less forthcoming to the second. By the third wave, he simply shrugged and said, "The guy pitched a great game. That’s basically all you can say about him.’’

that basically just sums up my thoughts on the situation. cardinal hitters felt the strike zone was wide so they were aggressive in defending the corners. that opened things up for holland to take advantage of, which he did very well.