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Threw Velazquez the toilet seat curve for the K. Buckled his knees like he was sitting on the throne…
Ouch. First game of the month that I’ve turned off early. This was mostly on Libby, but I don’t know that the handedness advantage justifies playing both Fermin and Velasquez in the OF at the same time. That is going to be a tired pen by the end of the night. I wonder if they option Graceffo and bring up another arm (Mautz?) for tomorrow.
Memphis’ game is in a rain delay, so don’t know about pitchers used there.
This is the absolute worst defense I’ve seen all year from the Cardinals. Velasquez missed 2 flies that should’ve been outs. Fermin didn’t get to one that should’ve been an out. Neither Burleson or Jordan have gotten to any balls scorched right by them. Burleson has been questionable on anything low all season. I’m afraid Jordan will have that same issue in the hot corner. Fermin clearly doesn’t belong in CF. And Velasquez really doesn’t belong anywhere but as DH or PH. I like when we pride ourselves on good defense first. This game is the opposite.
Don’t get me wrong on Burleson and Jordan. They are likely the best choices. Although Burleson probably shouldn’t start vs most lefties.
Unless we close the gap some this one will lower our run differential back down to around break even. We have lived a bit of a charmed life so far this season, losing like this now and then and winning close ones.
I like when we pride ourselves on good defense first.
It is amazing how quickly the Cardinals abandon the defensive side of the ball, year-after-year.
I will add that Jordan let one get between him and the bag when there were men on base. Have to guard against the double there. It looked like a hot shot. If he’s not quick enough he has to play half a step closer to the bag in no doubles situations.
What outfielders will do for applause. Lane Thomas in no way whatsoever had to go to the turf in catching Velasquez’ fly ball. It’s understandable how some of the fans in attendance fall for the fake-fall…….but the broadcasters too? Watching the Royals telecast and they were commenting how Thomas robbed Velasquez…..where do they find these guys?
Agreed Pugs. Thomas has always been a poor fielder. Tried to make himself look good there.
We didn’t get 12. Left the bases loaded which seems to be a theme lately.
Could be worse. Peoria is down 16-1 in the top of the 6th. Franklin started that game and got roughed up. Then Galle, who was the PTBNL in the Gray trade (or Contreras trade – not certain) just came in and gave up grand slam, walk, walk, 3-run homer.
In other minor league news, Josh Baez just hit his 24th home run for Memphis.
Since I’m a silver lining kind of guy, I’ll mention that the O scored 6 runs.
It is clear that Velazquez is an outfielder in the sense that anyone who can shag flies is an outfielder.
besides the error, the play near the sidewall was not impressive. Fermin has an OK enough arm to be a backup on the left side of the infield, but his arm didn’t look good in CF. Not blaming him, he just doesn’t belong there.There really isn’t any need to look at what Velazquez can do defensively, and with Noot to back Church there is no need to see Fermin in CF. I’m not sure why Noot and Church were off the same day.
It doesn’t take a high level of sophistication to look at an opposing pitcher’s splits for vulnerabilities.
They tried a right-handed hitting-heavy lineup.
And in the process, showed they have learned nothing from their struggles the past few years.
These games happen. I would have thought the record would be reversed – and there is still time for a hideous collapse.
This season (so far) looks about what I thought next year would look like with the big breakthrough back to serious contention happening in 2028.
It feels like the current pitching is hanging by a thread. As already noted, staying relatively injury-free has been a major factor as depth continues to be an issue. It will take time.
If the new agreement includes a spending floor, pitching is the obvious place for the Cards. Even so, i think ownership will remain averse to long term pitching contracts. It will be intetesting to see what happens.
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