2/25 ST GDT: Tigers(Norris) vs Cardinals(Woodford) 12:05PMCT
- CardsofSTL
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- CardsofSTL
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Re: 2/25 ST GDT: Tigers(Norris) vs Cardinals(Woodford) 12:05
After weeks of workshopping potential lineups, Cardinals manager Mike Shildt decided about 10 days prior to debut Paul Goldschmidt as part of a top-of-the-order look that has the potential to stick beyond Spring Training.
That first glance came Sunday.
Though Matt Carpenter, Dexter Fowler and Goldschmidt (in that order) combined to go 0-for-5 with a walk and two strikeouts in Sunday’s 12-2 loss to the Nationals, the trio offered a glimpse of what could be the top of St. Louis' lineup in the regular season.
One of the appeals of lining the trio up at the top of the Cardinals' lineup is the possible ambush they could offer against a starting pitcher. When right, each of the three has profiled among the most patient hitters in the game.
Carpenter, predictably, worked a full count before drawing a walk in his second plate appearance. Fowler saw six pitches in one at-bat, five in another, reflecting the sort of patience he can show when things are going well. Goldschmidt drove a ball to the warning track after receiving a partial standing ovation in his first at-bat with the organization.
In 2016, all three ranked among the top 15 in the Majors in pitches per plate appearances. Fowler, with an average of 4.41, was fourth. Carpenter finished second in '17, while he and Goldschmidt tied for 13th with equal 4.21 averages in '18.
Andrew Morales exited his spring debut with right shoulder discomfort on Sunday. After striking out a batter to close the sixth, Morales returned to pitch the seventh. Shildt said he and pitching coach Mike Maddux noticed that something looked off as Morales warmed up, and after the first three batters reached, they paid the right-hander a visit. It was then that Morales alerted them to the discomfort.
The Cardinals will have a better feel for the severity of the issue after Morales undergoes further evaluation.
Wanting to protect the right knee that gave Andrew Miller fits last season, the Cardinals plan to delay his debut in Grapefruit League play and will have him instead throw a second session of live batting practice on Monday. He’ll do so along with Alex Reyes and Jordan Hicks, both of whom are also on scripted slower spring programs.
The Cardinals will re-evaluate Miller’s readiness for game action after Monday’s exercise, though any slowdown to this point has been entirely precautionary. There is no concern about his readiness for Opening Day.
Though Yadier Molina, who is recovering from offseason knee surgery, has been engaged in catching drills since Spring Training started, Saturday marked the first time he had squatted behind the plate to catch a side session. He served as Wainwright’s batterymate in the exercise. Shildt indicated that he would have more information about Molina’s Grapefruit League plan on Monday.
After serving as the starting catcher in the team’s Grapefruit League opener, Andrew Knizner replaced Paul Goldschmidt at first base on Sunday. The Cardinals intend to get Knizner periodic looks at first base so that he could be ready to fill in at the position, if needed, during the regular season.
Former first-round pick Jake Woodford will make his spring debut on Monday when he starts for the Cardinals against Detroit’s Daniel Norris. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. CT from Roger Dean Stadium. Woodford, who finished with a 4.90 ERA over 28 starts last season, is a candidate to open the season in Triple-A Memphis’ rotation.
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Re: 2/25 ST GDT: Tigers(Norris) vs Cardinals(Woodford) 12:05
Time to get Woodford's trade value up so we can ship him for Zach Duke or someone in July.
- MinorLeagueGuy
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Re: 2/25 ST GDT: Tigers(Norris) vs Cardinals(Woodford) 12:05
Done with Dexter. Didn't look any more focused then anytime last year. That misplayed ball was gross. Nothing but excuses from DannyMac; "still learning right field.." Derrrrr
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Re: 2/25 ST GDT: Tigers(Norris) vs Cardinals(Woodford) 12:05
lollipopMinorLeagueGuy wrote:Done with Dexter. Didn't look any more focused then anytime last year. That misplayed ball was gross. Nothing but excuses from DannyMac; "still learning right field.." Derrrrr
It was his first play of the spring.
- CardsofSTL
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Re: 2/25 ST GDT: Tigers(Norris) vs Cardinals(Woodford) 12:05
Taking some good defense to beat us today.
- CardsofSTL
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Re: 2/25 ST GDT: Tigers(Norris) vs Cardinals(Woodford) 12:05
Yeah! And Goldschmidt went 0-2!!! What did we trade away our future for???? This team blows...our season is over!!!!MinorLeagueGuy wrote:Done with Dexter. Didn't look any more focused then anytime last year. That misplayed ball was gross. Nothing but excuses from DannyMac; "still learning right field.." Derrrrr
#bluefont
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Re: 2/25 ST GDT: Tigers(Norris) vs Cardinals(Woodford) 12:05
Not sure if his value got any better today after giving up two runs in his second inning. I didn't see him pitch at all though since I didn't remember to tune in until the Cards were batting in the bottom of the second.Big Amoco Sign wrote:Time to get Woodford's trade value up so we can ship him for Zach Duke or someone in July.
And now I have my weekly team meeting starting in ten minutes so I'll miss most of the rest of the game too. Dang.