The Real Work Begins

Daniel ShoptawApr 7, 2010

The story in the Post-Dispatch this morning is talking about the bullpen trying to figure out its roles. Obviously Trever Miller and Dennys Reyes are pretty secure with what they are supposed to do, but the rest of them are a little more unsettled. Which is to say nothing about Ryan Franklin, who unsettles the rest of us.

It seems possible, reading that story, that Kyle McClellan, far from being a starter, might get a chance in the ninth if Franklin still falters. Obviously, you can't take a lot from the first day (though tell that to Jason Motte, who lost his closer role in one day last year), but it does seem like something they'd be considering. I don't know if I'd have more confidence in McClellan than Franklin, but I hope Franklin pitches well enough that it's a moot point.

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The Globe-Democrat features a story on something that's not usually been an issue in St. Louis, finding playing time for the backups. It was interesting to read that Joe Mather learned how to be a bench guy from Aaron Miles, so maybe there's a little something to the "veteran leadership" label. Never thought much about the bench guys having to be like relievers, getting loose and prepared in the middle innings because they might be needed. Nice little insight to the game.

Tonight, Adam Wainwright goes for the Cardinals against Johnny Cueto of the Reds. Let's take a look at the charts, see how they've done in the past.

	PA	AB	H	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	SH	GDP
Brandon Phillips	15	13	2	0	0	1	2	.154	.214	.154	.368	1	1
Jay Bruce	3	3	1	1	2	0	0	.333	.333	1.333	1.667	0	0
Ryan Hanigan	3	3	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000	0	0
Ramon Hernandez	3	3	1	0	1	0	0	.333	.333	.333	.667	0	0
Aaron Miles	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000	0	1
Total	26	24	4	1	3	1	2	.167	.200	.292	.492	1	2

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 4/7/2010.

While Waino doesn't have great career numbers against the franchise as a whole, posting an ERA close to five, it's not because of anything these guys have done. He's basically an unknown quantity to everyone besides Phillips, so if he can control his stuff--something that was lacking in his last spring starts--it should be another low scoring game.

	PA	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	SF
Skip Schumaker	12	11	5	1	0	0	1	0	.455	.500	.545	1.045	0
Ryan Ludwick	9	7	1	1	0	1	2	1	.143	.333	.286	.619	0
Albert Pujols	9	8	2	1	0	0	1	1	.250	.333	.375	.708	0
Yadier Molina	8	8	2	1	0	0	0	1	.250	.250	.375	.625	0
Felipe Lopez	7	6	1	0	0	0	1	2	.167	.286	.167	.452	0
Brendan Ryan	6	6	2	1	0	1	0	1	.333	.333	.500	.833	0
Colby Rasmus	5	5	1	1	0	0	0	1	.200	.200	.400	.600	0
Matt Holliday	3	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	.000	.333	.000	.333	1
Jason LaRue	3	2	1	0	1	2	1	0	.500	.667	2.000	2.667	0
Kyle Lohse	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	1.000	1.000	1.000	2.000	0
Total	63	55	16	6	1	5	7	7	.291	.365	.455	.820	1

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 4/7/2010.

Cueto has done well against the Cardinals, but there's hope for the offense in these numbers as well. Maybe Cueto is what Skip needs to get his bat on track, as he's done very well against him in the past. It probably won't be a rout again tonight, but the Cardinals do have to like their chances.

Assorted news: Last night I was the fill in host for the Baseball Bloggers Alliance's weekly show, which you can listen to if you want. Tonight, it's the UCB Radio Hour with Justin of Intangiball, talking about whatever happens tonight plus our impressions of the season so far. If you want to talk Cardinal baseball between 9:30 and 10:30, call us at 646-929-1758, we'd love to chat with you.

Also, I'm proud to announce that I've been tabbed to join the Baseball Digest team. The plan right now is to do a Monday column looking back at the week past and forward at the week to come. Don't worry, I'll drop links when they go up.

Looking forward to some good baseball tonight!