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27 – Shuster started in place of Mautz because it is likely Mautz gets called up to start a big league game soon. To replace Mautz, they decided no one was ready so they called up Savacool as a placeholder. Guys that are part of or who at least could be part of the long term plan if they perform don’t get called up until they are ready.
Given that last night’s game got postponed, they may not need to call up Mautz now – at least not yet – so it may have all been for naught but better to be safe just in case.
Having more teams reach the playoffs provides more excitement for fans even if it does water down what good looks like. I personally preferred either the 1 or 2 wild card approach (4 or 5 teams getting in from each league), but I fully understand why it is better for probably both the owners and the players to maximize the number of teams who get in.
Bling – Thanks for generating a good laugh after I read your last comment!
I had high hopes too. He has a good repertoire of pitches. He just seems to break down in big moments and has never really solidified control to where he needs it. Tonight he got hurt by multiple middle middle pitches.
Brian, at the time, I had them bringing up Gastellum for Rajcic and losing Pozo off the 40-man. Gastellum had a day off the day prior so he was relatively fresh. It doesn’t matter now.
I’m not even sure Soriano was available. They had Svanson, Graceffo, or Bruihl and as Bling said, the other 2 were more for long relief in extras. Svanson was really the only choice Ollie had available to him.
IMO, and I said this 2 days ago before that game, they should have swapped in a fresh arm for Rajcic and used that arm in the game that night to save someone for last night’s game. It was the disaster start Sunday that got us in this mess. Fortunately, Pallante and Leahy both pitched a decent amount of innings to help pull us out. Not quite there yet. We need a good long start tonight.
I guess it was too many runs to get back as the D-backs sub out their closer for a flame-throwing lefty who strikes out Wetherholt swinging.
Gorman went 0 for 4 with 4 strikeouts at Memphis tonight. I didn’t watch so not sure what to say about his swing adjustments.
Cardinals cut it to 4-3 as Crooks singles home Burleson. It’s now up to JJ with 2 outs and Crooks on first.
Nootbaar, Fermin, and Burleson manage to erase the shutout. Need 4 more here so we don’t have to go to the pen.
This top of the inning is taking forever. Our pitchers refuse to throw consistent strikes and Arizona has done a good job fouling off pitches when they do.
Just announced that was our 54th pitch of the inning. And number 55 leads to a walk to load the bases. Graceffo, throw f’n strikes.
And a wild pitch makes it 4-0.
Svanson with 9000 pitches this inning. Ollie comes out to pick up his arm after he secured only 1 out. Not his fault Walker lost a routine fly ball in the lights. However, Svanson could not locate pitches. That was a problem.
Burleson 0 for his last 864 verses left handed pitchers.
Rodriguez finally out of the game after getting the first 2 in the 7th. Still 0-0.
I believe that was Leahy’s best start. Aside from the first pitch of the game, he had great stuff all night.
I know you all will be surprised. Gorman struck out swinging in his first Memphis at bat. It’s what he does.
Also, I know Wetherholt is way down the list on voting for second baseman in the All-Star game but I think I saw Pedro Pages ahead of him. Pages one game at 2B last season made a lasting impression. Poor JJ.
Thanks Steffen! Maybe he just didn’t want to say much, but I’d like to hear a more focused version of Jesus Baez. When you asked what he’s working on, he basically said nothing specifically. That’s a bit worrisome.
ZTR – The simple answer is yes. The formula is somewhat complicated, but different positions get credited differently with WAR. SS, CF, 2B, and C are far more valuable.
I expected JJ to be a really good hitter and take lots of great at bats. That part hasn’t really surprised me at all. I said he was the best hitter or second best hitter on the team coming out of Spring Training. I did not at all expect this level of defense though. At 2B, I expected maybe a little above average defense. Fortunately though, he has been first class gold glove level defense. Some of the double plays he has been turning haven’t been done by a Cardinals second baseman in a really long time. Great job JJ.
Maybe Bling. I would think Stanek, Romero, and O’Brien would all be unavailable for today’s game and they would probably prefer to keep Soriano out too. That’s not a great recipe for winning. And even more treacherous on a Leahy day.
The problem is that none of those 4 who I mentioned can be optioned. Therefore, they are stuck with 4 relievers regardless of if they call someone up.
Not as much on offense for us tonight. A bunch of singles. But good pitching holds it and we win our 2nd in a row. Good game.
