Chris Carpenter had some problems throwing strikes tonight, and lasted only three innings.
Tony? Hi. It’s Joe Torre...
The TBS crew spoke to La Russa after Carpenter’s stint, and the St. Louis manager is probably staring at a fine.
Dick Stockton: Tony, the Cardinals back in the game, and with Chris not quite what you anticipated, any more to add on his performance?
TLR: Well, what I would add, which will get you in trouble and I’m going to do it anyway, is they’re pitching to two different strike zones. Against a good club, or any club, that’s an advantage you don’t want to give up.
Bob Brenly: That’s very honest on your part, Tony. I can’t say I disagree with it, from what we’ve seen up here on our replays as well...
There are a million ways to parse an umpire’s performance behind the plate, but looking at the data -- via BrooksBaseball.net -- doesn’t suggest that plate-umpire Jerry Meals is a) having a bad night, or b) missing significantly more calls for one team than the other. Here’s the comprehensive chart, from roughly midway through the contest:
In God We Trust. All others must bring data.
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