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#Astros lineup for Wednesday's #springtraining game vs. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/3Kp3QZdfpk
— Oliver Macklin (@basebollie) March 14, 2018
No, I don’t know which LF is actually the DH.
https://twitter.com/JoeTrezz/status/973902320504320001I will be at the game and will try to tweet updates on anything visually interesting, since there is no TV.
then he hits a HR… nice to see him confident in these early ABs
power plus walks and a regular old hit…what else do we want?
Outstanding pitching against an outstanding hitting team that was playing most of their regulars. If Waino piches like that most of the year, we should most definitely be a contender.
Carpenter did his usual – saw a lot of pitches and swung at his. The home run was on a full count offering and just cleared the wall in right center. He also made a good stretch play defensively at first. He left the game after four innings.
Other comments from the game, which the Cards took by a 3-1 score, raising their spring record of 9-8-2:
Wainwright drops in two breaking pitches for strikes then catches Carlos Correa on 88 mph fastball for called strike three.
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) March 14, 2018
Wainwright just threw a 67 mph curve, so 21 mph variance.
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) March 14, 2018
Wainwright's best pitch of first 3 innings led to 2nd K of Correa. Elevated fastball at 91. Swinging.
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) March 14, 2018
Astros deploying shift against Wong. Whole left side open but still trying to pull. Kd swinging.
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) March 14, 2018
If Waino gets up to 92 or 93, he is the ace of the staff. It creates a different plane for hitters to watch. The shredder at MLB Network had him a top ten starter two years ago when he was hitting those speeds. I don’t think his secondary offerings have suffered like his fast ball; they may have been fine tuned. Turning our sixth best starter (respectfully generous) into a number one is season changing. He is going all out because of this roster churn mantra Mo seems committed to. There has to be some value in reaching iconic stature, and there has to be longevity to get there.
I saw Wainwright top at 91 today, but most fastballs were in upper 80s (based on my selective viewing of the scoreboard). As I said on Friday, the West Palm gun appeared to be hot.
There is a considerable difference in his four seam at 88 and at 93. He has worked in the upper 80’s for years with the two seam and cutter. I have a lot of confidence in him. You know he sees himself as the ace and would love to show us and Carlos that there is a competition and it wasn’t just handed to Martinez in the way it appeared to be. I am sure Wacha feels the same way, I would love for Weaver and Mikilos to be a part of that discussion, and the best starter in September may be one of three guys (Reyes, Flaherty, or Hicks) not yet in the rotation.
I really doubt Hicks reaches STL this year (other than possible September call up – but even that I doubt.) I doublely doubt he gets any starts.
He’ not even the same Waino as 2014 after Tommy John. He’s got to be crafty and change his ways like Benes did when he didn’t have it any longer.
More runners on base is a good thing for this team. Having Matt Carpenter back is a good thing for this team. Just hope he can stay healthy.
BTW some fantasy forcaster said he could go 40 homers and .400 obp.
40 homers for who? Carp? That forecaster is out of his mind.
Furthermore, Carp’s already acknowledged his BA was really down last year because he tried to be more of a power hitter. He’s addressing that issue this spring by trying to stay true to who he is as a hitter.
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