St. Louis Cardinals looking for workable combination – MLB News
The St. Louis Cardinals are not inclined to experimenting anything new in the potential one-game playoff when it comes to pitching. The team manager does not have any intent to assign the starters the relief pitchers’ role.
Emphasising his point on Sunday, September 25, the team manager La Russa stated that the availability of the relief pitchers does not necessitate using the starters as relievers. "We have all these relievers," La Russa said, referring to his 10-man bull-pen.
"It shouldn't be a factor."
With the lack of choices, the option has now become eminently clear. Kyle Lohse may well be playing the much-awaited and potential playoff against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, September 29.
There were talks that Lohse may well be used as a reliever during the anticipated series against the Houston Astros. However, that all depends how the Cardinals play, if they make enough inroads into the playoffs, in the series facing the Astros.
However, the possibilities exist that Edwin Jackson may be assigned the role of reliever. Given the fact that he started the game against the Chicago Cubs, he may feature in the game on Tuesday, or Wednesday against the Houston Astros.
As the starters and relievers dilemma remains open to discuss and ultimately be resolved, the Cardinals are also considering the hitters. With Matt Holliday back in left-field, after he had been injured in the right hand, the Cardinals are looking for a
massive blitz.
Lance Berkman is another option that the St. Louis Cardinals intend to use. "Lance has been getting at-bats, and Matt had some time off," said manager Tony La Russa. "You've got to figure, timing-wise, that it would be easier for Matt to hit in the fifth
spot. Lance has hit everywhere; third, fourth, fifth.”
With all the options on the table, it is all about the right utilisation that both the team and the players are looking forward to. As the playoffs near, the St. Louis Cardinals will try to effectively use the combination of pitchers and hitters to take
the team to the winning stand.
Tags: