Lineup questions

The Cardinals' offense seems to be waking up and getting in the swing of things. I even had one Cincinnati fan on Saturday tell me that our "lineup is stacked" and I have to agree with that. One question is will manager Mike Matheny stay with the same lineup or will he want to tinker with it like he said he would do in spring training but never did. The problem in my opinion is the lack of overall speed as a team to steal bases. One thing I always enjoyed seeing was speed and lots of stolen bases. I know the game has changed and there are so few speedy leadoff hitters to run wild like the good ole days. I just have to agree with the concept that speed doesn't slump which means if they can get on base via walk or bunt or however, they could make things happen on the bases rather than wait for a home run.

I will say it again and I know you are all tired of hearing me but I think Matt Carpenter would make a perfect number two batter. The problem with that is nobody is near as good as Carpenter is when it comes to getting on base. I loved watching Vince Coleman steal bases or during a hit and run seeing him fly around the bases to score on a double. I guess in the perfect world we would have Coleman's speed and Carpenter's on base percentage to be the leadoff hitter. I do like that Carpenter is being more aggressive at the plate so far because last year he took way too many pitches like he was looking for a walk and more times than not he would strike out looking. For now though I will just accept that Carpenter is our best leadoff hitter. I just wish Matheny would have given Wong or Jay a full spring of leading off to see if they could handle it.

The rest of the lineup seems to fit like a glove and once everyone starts hitting like we know they can we will have a very potent lineup. Jason Heyward is off to a slow start and being between two of our hottest hitters it should just be a matter of time for him to get in to his own groove. However, I often wonder if Matheny would move Heyward down to the sixth spot if he would relax and maybe not feel the pressure to get on in front of Matt Holliday? We could always slide Jon Jay into the second spot in the lineup and still have speed for Holliday to chase home. Kolten Wong needs to be treated like "Willie Mays-Hays" in the movie "Major League." Every time he hits the ball in the air should do pushups and I think with Wong's speed he should not be trying to hit a home run. Get on base and steal some, cause some havoc on the bases and if he gets an occasional home run that is just a bonus.

With the lineup set and ready to go we now need to discuss the weak bench. Yes I know we signed a power bat, Mark Reynolds, to help and give us some pop off the bench. The problem is he is a strike out machine and if he doesn't start in Matt Adams' spot regularly I am sure it will be tough to get anything out of him. Randal Grichuk and Peter Bourjos are the extra outfielders with Tony Cruz who has the easiest job in the Majors backing up Yadier Molina. Last and very least we have Pete Kozma who did very well in spring training and actually led the Grapefruit league in hitting for a stretch. As you have all probably figured out by now, I am not a Kozma fan. I will admit, though very quietly, I liked the Wizard of Koz until he couldn't hit unless it was the Nationals. There is a thought, if he hits so well in Washington D.C. maybe we should trade him there for somebody like a beer vendor or anything.

One thing as certain as taxes, the team will have ups and downs, we will get mad and glad in the same game, and for whatever reason that has been a regular with the last several Cards closers we will all be on the edge of our seat every time they pitch. The team is strong on offense, strong in their pitching and that will make a fun season of baseball to watch. With the home opener and the festivities that go along with opening week in the rear view mirror it is time to settle in get to work. Lets Go Cards!