As Chris Carpenter recovers, Lance Lynn emerges as potential substitute
The St. Louis Cardinals are entering the regular season with a set of difficulties that will not certainly be easy to grapple with. Chris Carpenter, one of the accomplished contemporary starters, is facing the neck stiffness that has barely let him play
in the recent Cactus League games.
Chris Carpenter was previously slated for the Opening Day game scheduled for the next month. However, the recent developments indicate that the Redbirds are weighing it ever seriously now owing to the possible outcome of the problem Chris Carpenter is facing.
A lot, obviously, depends on how quickly Carpenter recovers. However, if things do not go the way the Redbirds are hoping, Lance Lynn will be one of the options available to the team to try in the rotation.
Lynn has served well in the bullpen. But how effectively and successful he evinces the same level of strength and vigour as a starting pitcher is a question that will continue to require close perusal and satisfactory answers.
Lynn, in the games that he has made appearance has been quite effective. For example, in Wednesday’s game against the Houston Astros, he gave up no run in the three innings that he pitched, keeping the Astros hitters at bay.
All the same, his previous pitching spells have also remained a relative success as far as the role he has been assigned is concerned. Moving up from the bullpen to the rotation is certainly not something easy to adjust.
However, with the passage of time, it is becoming ever clearer that Lance Lynn would be a good substitute for Carpenter. Even then, the point should be emphasized, the Cardinals would need an experienced and deft arm on the mound to go against the hitters.
When it comes to Chris Carpenter himself, not playing in the Spring Training has been quite frustrating. That is understandable given the excitement and readiness this player had been showing only the past year to once again remain an illuminating star of
the team as the starter.
"You're always frustrated if you can't play," Carpenter said after the throws. "I want to play, and I haven't been able to yet this spring. That's not what you're looking for, coming to spring training and not being able to get ready for the season. So there's
always frustration.”
Chris Carpenter, it goes without saying, was one of the handiest players to bring in victories for the Cardinals. His postseason games were beyond ordinary where he wrought havoc on the rival teams with virtually unplayable pitches.
As for the fitness issues of Chris Carpenter, the team manager has his explanation for it to offer. He does not want to put much pressure on Carpenter in the Spring Training, and want him to recover prior to the starting of the new season.
"That's just kind of how this game operates," Matheny said. "Especially when you've got players who have been around a while. This team played 30 days longer than a lot of other teams (last season) and to discount that I think's a mistake. Trying to push
these guys through something right now still doesn't make sense to me.”
It will now be interesting to observe which pitcher the Cardinals eventually rely on once the Cardinals get on the rivals. Carpenter, preferably, be the best option to them. Should he not recover completely, Lance Lynn will surely play his part.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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