St. Louis Cardinals’ Kyle McClellan, Lance Lynn play their first game in playoffs – MLB Playoffs
The St. Louis Cardinals have brought in Kyle McClellan and Lance Lynn to replace Skip Schumaker who got a strained oblique muscle on Friday’s playoff against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Although the Cardinals succeeded in overwhelming the Phillies in the National League Division Series to qualify for the National League Championship Series, Game 1 of the NLCS remained a disappointment for them.
Losing the first game of the best-of-seven series by 9-6, there probably was a need of re-organising and re-energising the roster. Lynn and McClellan could well do that. A rookie, Lynn was out of baseball due to the injury he contracted on August 9. Since
he had not thrown until last night’s game whereby the team failed to deliver.
McClellan could also not demonstrate the kind of game expected of him. Being under intense pressure after the fifth inning resurgence by the Brewers, McClellan allowed two hits and a run on Sunday.
Both Lynn and McClellan have a long way to go. While challenges abound for the players as a whole, whereby the team is also battling to stage a comeback in the playoffs to qualify for the World Series, Lynn is intent upon putting all his efforts to prevail.
While Lynn remained out of game for a considerably long period of time due to a left oblique muscle, he was given an opportunity to pitch on Sunday’s game where he allowed a hit to Jerry Hairston. Facing questions about his fitness, the rookie did not disappoint
his critics and fans alike.
"You've got to worry about day to day, to make sure you're not trying to push it too much and overdo it, or not tell the truth when something's bothering you," Lynn said.
He stated he was ready to play at any point of time provided he got a chance. Although he was not an active part of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS, the fact that he has been picked for NLCS shows he has got the talent.
All the same, McClellan also looks for a better prospect. "I thought I had pretty good stuff today, but they put together some great at-bats," McClellan said.
With the two new arms added in the Cardinals, the days to come will effectively show if they can prove their worth as the deserving components of the team at a crucial time. The young players have the ability to add some unpredictability to the team as the
opposition may not have had the opportunity to face these newer players. The Cardinals will be looking to their young players for some inspiration and a tremendous performance against the Brewers.
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