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I find it hard to believe that Taguchi and Wilson give us a better chance to win on any night than Spiezio and Duncan.

Popeye_Card wrote:

Leroy wrote:Our starting outfield batted .272.

Pujols and Rolen batted .000.

Just sayin'.

Yeah, I didn't really think it was that bad (outside of So's errors in the field). Considering that 2 of the 3 were in there because a lefty was on the mound.

The offense wasn't terrible last night, despite the 1 run scored. They kept the pressure on the Mets. Their hard-hit GB's just turned into double plays more often than not. The bigger issue in the game was that even with our ace on the mound, the pitchers were getting roughed up pretty good.

Bad game. They happen.

--P--

I agree.

omaha_red wrote:is duncan really that bad against lefties?

.670 ML OPS against them, and a .552 MiL OPS against them in his last Memphis stint (all I could find). Those are both really small samples, but given that he's not exactly a defensive specialist, I have been totally content with the idea of a Wilson/Duncan platoon for quite some time. I think Preston is a useful player in that capacity (and some others).

I did think that Encarnacion would be playing most of the time in RF however. Makes you wonder how useful Gooch and his mirror-image twin are, on the same roster, when Marrero, Ludwick, and Rodriguez are all sitting around with the 'Birds.

ZigZagCardsFan wrote:I find it hard to believe that Taguchi and Wilson give us a better chance to win on any night than Spiezio and Duncan.

Duncan against lefties: 52 PA, .204/.250/.429. Plus bad defense. (Given, So was bad too last night, but I think we can all agree that normally he is much preferred in the field over Duncan.)

Spiezio normally hits for a higher average from the right side, but his pop becomes Ecksteinian. I'd personally rather trot Wilson or So up there.

A defensive OF of Duncan, Edmonds, and Spiezio sounds really poor. Not bad for a few games, but that really becomes a liability after a while.

--P--

IM not worried about the OF. Call me blind. If Juan comes back and hits 22HRS and drives in 75 runs, Im happy. Its about big league average I'd guess. The season IMO really is dependant on Duncan and Jimmy. IF Duncan proves to be Adam Dunn and not Bob Hamlin, then we've got something. If Jimmy just stays healthy....hes on the downswing. Duh. But 25 Hrs and 80 rbis are well within reach.

Doesn't it take a long time to regain the strength in your wrist to hit for power? When Juan comes back he may be able to hit for his usual average, I'd be surprised (if he comes back in May) that he'd hit over a dozen HR's the remainder of the season.

Popeye_Card wrote:

Leroy wrote:Our starting outfield batted .272.

Pujols and Rolen batted .000.

Just sayin'.

Yeah, I didn't really think it was that bad (outside of So's errors in the field). Considering that 2 of the 3 were in there because a lefty was on the mound.

The offense wasn't terrible last night, despite the 1 run scored. They kept the pressure on the Mets. Their hard-hit GB's just turned into double plays more often than not. The bigger issue in the game was that even with our ace on the mound, the pitchers were getting roughed up pretty good.

Bad game. They happen.

--P--

Yup, that pretty much sums it up. Sometimes when one team's hard hit ground balls find holes and the other's find infielders.

As to the outfield, I agree Spezio and Duncan at the corners is a problem defensively. But it's not like Taguchi and Wilson are plus defenders. And this is me being sentimental, but I thought Chris Duncan did enough last season and this year in spring training to deserve an opening day start. I understand why Tony did it, but still felt bad for Dunc Jr.

picasso wrote:Doesn't it take a long time to regain the strength in your wrist to hit for power? When Juan comes back he may be able to hit for his usual average, I'd be surprised (if he comes back in May) that he'd hit over a dozen HR's the remainder of the season.

It can (I speak from experience). Wrist injuries can be tricky, just depends...

Swatcat27 wrote:

jagtrader wrote:

omaha_red wrote:the outfield needs some help.

That was true before Encarnacion got hurt.

On a different tangent, I haven't liked Juan E as a Cardinal at all...
I got a glimpse of Kennedy last night and I really liked what I saw....some speed as well..Hope the Cards go out & get a good OF'er to go with Jimmy & Duncan.

I'd love to see us replace Encarnacion but with both Reyes and Wainwright in the rotation now we really have nothing to trade.

G. Keenan wrote:

Swatcat27 wrote:

jagtrader wrote:

omaha_red wrote:the outfield needs some help.

That was true before Encarnacion got hurt.

On a different tangent, I haven't liked Juan E as a Cardinal at all...
I got a glimpse of Kennedy last night and I really liked what I saw....some speed as well..Hope the Cards go out & get a good OF'er to go with Jimmy & Duncan.

I'd love to see us replace Encarnacion but with both Reyes and Wainwright in the rotation now we really have nothing to trade.

Yeah...and he's going to have to come back and play for a while before any team would accept him in a trade. Maybe something at the deadline, if there's a really good offer out there, but I don't see it happening this year, short of a salary dump from another club.