Mistake admitted, St. Louis Cardinals turn focus upon future games – MLB News
The St. Louis Cardinals are finally taking some huge strides with the big wins after the initial slump witnessed earlier. However, the team manager admits to the few mistakes he committed in the game against the Miami Marlins.
While the team has now won the three-game series by 2-0, Monday’s game had a few flaws that Mike Matheny needs to focus upon and subsequently overcome. He had brought in the reliever Eduardo Sanchez in the seventh inning to intentionally walk Jose Reyes.
That was a decision that could have been taken earlier had Fernando Salas been asked to do so. What the intentional walk did was to create trouble for Sanchez, who kept on trying to surmount the impending challenges.
The reliever’s struggle was not a particularly pleasant sight for the team considering the potential defeat that could have come to their way. The team manager, afterwards, acknowledged the mistake he had made by making this move.
"You want to set guys up for success, but if you're putting guys in a difficult situation, it decreases their odds of being successful, of getting people out afterward," Matheny said. "It wasn't a good move."
However, the odds that were witnessed did not eventually lead to the team’s collapse. The Cardinals managed to win the game 8-7, getting a comfortable lead in the series.
Matheny also spoke of Sanchez’s strength and the vulnerabilities that could be overcome in the days ahead as season progresses.
"He's almost unhittable at times when he has it all right," Matheny said. "His breaking stuff is so electric, he's just uncomfortable with his arm slot. He hides the ball well, he's just no fun for a righty. You get into big situations and you got a couple pitchers that are fly-ball pitchers, a fly ball isn't going to help us in that situation."
The Cardinals’ lead in the series augurs well as it has given them a good advantage to make ascension. The team has to retain the top spot in the Division to prove their excellence as the defending World Series Champion.
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