St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training: Heading Down the Stretch

The Cardinals beat the Orioles yesterday 7-3, as they started their stretch of "lasts" in Florida.  Yesterday was the last road trip and likely the last time the regular lineup won't at least start a game, with Albert Pujols and Khalil Greene staying home.

Chris Duncan brought out his bat again, clubbing a three-run home run that was instrumental in the Cardinals pulling away.  He also had another hit and brought his spring average up over the .300 mark.

Also noteworthy offensively was Ryan Ludwick getting two hits.  The Cardinals really need his bat to be at least somewhat like it was last year.  This lineup could be dangerous from top to bottom if he starts clicking as well.

According to those Twittering from the scene, Adam Wainwright didn't look quite as sharp as his early results were indicating, and a final line of seven hits and two runs in five innings isn't exactly stellar.  There didn't seem to be any reason for the outing, though, and it could have been somewhat a lack of focus due to it being the last start of a long spring.

Tony LaRussa also named Wainright the Opening Day starter yesterday.  In other news, the sun set in the west last night.  Apparently, Kyle Lohse was in the running for it as well, but I don't think anyone expected him to get it.  The rest of the rotation was lined out, with Lohse going in the second game, Todd Wellemeyer the third, Chris Carpenter finishes the four-game set with Pittsburgh, and Joel Pineiro gets the opener of the Houston series.

And looking at the early rotation, you notice that nothing in Cardinals camp is accidental.  Those top four will face the Cubs in the second weekend of the season.

I've wondered who the new Cardinals whipping boy would be.  There's always someone who gets the fans riled up, whether with cause or not.  J.D. Drew was like that, and at times Scott Rolen and Adam Kennedy.

I'm guessing this year's will be Brad Thompson, at least when he's with the big club.  He may be mine, at least.  Two walks and two hits in two innings yesterday, allowing a run.  I hope we won't see him in too many close situations this year.

In news that you never really want to hear, the Cardinals have no idea when Troy Glaus will be joining the team.  The comments about a June start make you think that if he's back by the All-Star Break, it's a pretty good deal for the team.  It looks like David Freese will get an extended showing at third.  I'd think, with this longer recovery time for Glaus, he better keep an eye on Brett Wallace.  The Cards wouldn't bring Wallace up for just a month, so if Freese struggles and Glaus looks like he might be out a long time, they might think about it.

Of course, I talk about the regulars playing, but here's the lineup for the final "home" game of the Florida spring.

Barden, 3B
Ankiel, CF
Pujols, 1B
Greene, SS
Ludwick, RF
Duncan, LF
LaRue, C
Lohse, P
Schumaker, 2B

Brian Barden is still battling for that last roster slot, so a good performance today, especially with Johan Santana starting, could go a long way.  This is the second time LaRussa has slid Khalil Greene into that cleanup role.  Pretty interesting since the idea was to keep him from thinking home runs.  I wouldn't think that'd be what would happen in the regular season, but I don't know.

Tonight is the UCB Radio Hour, this week hosted by me.  My apologies in advance, since it's my first time to have the host duties.  We are scheduled to have Pat from Where Have You Gone, Andy Van Slyke? on to discuss the Cardinals' Opening Day opponent.  You may remember Pat from the Playing Pepper series.

We'll also talk a little about today's game, how the roster looks, and our spring surprises and disappointments.  Your calls will help a lot, especially if you don't want to listen to me monologue for an hour!

Also, the UCB continues the predictions, today with the NL Central.  Mine are below, and you'll find the rest from this index post.