Lineup Card: Rasmus leads off
JUPITER, Fla. — On the third day of the spring schedule, there’s already a few rewards being handed out, if the lineup is any sign of manager Tony La Russa’s March meritocracy.
After receiving a “had a good day” nod for his play Friday against the New York Mets, second-year infielder Brendan Ryan is back in the lineup, starting at third. After expressing an interest and doing the extracurricular work to get attention, Chris Duncan is starting at first — possibly signalling a reconsideration of his place in the backup first base depth chart.
And after appearing in every game so far this spring, Colby Rasmus starts.
Today, in the first Fins and Feathers game of the spring, three natural center fielders are in the outfield for the Cardinals: Skip Schumaker, Rick Ankiel and Rasmus. It’s the prospect that is actually playing center. And leading off.
An eight-game winning streak is on the line.
The Cardinals (2-0):
- Colby Rasmus, CF
- Adam Kennedy, 2B
- Joe Mather, DH
- Chris Duncan, 1B
- Rick Ankiel, RF
- Jason LaRue, C
- Skip Schumaker, LF
- Cesar Izturis, SS
- Brendan Ryan, 3B
Starting pitcher: RHP Todd Wellemeyer. Followed by: RHP Brad Thompson; LHP Tyler Johnson; LHP Randy Flores; RHP Chris Perez. And the backups: RHP Kelvin Jimenez; RHP Jason Motte; and RHP Mark Worrell.
-30-
Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
Hey Derrick,
How’s Cliff Politte looking and will he get into any games anytime soon?
Should be LHP Randy Flores.
Also should be Brendan Ryan, SS, but that’s Tony’s problem . . . heh, heh.
Joey Bombs is going off today, I can sense it. Let’s see if Colby can continue to dominate
Right LHP Flores. Good catch. Recalling yesterday’s afternoon blog, it should be RHP Johnson. … Politte has been doing fine. Expected to get in a game shortly. Asked him about it yesterday and he did not know if he’s be scheduled for a specific day yet.
I know Chris Duncan has some minor league history at 1B…but it really gets my attention when he gets reps there now considering the OF defensive work he still needs…..especially with the rumors of Albert’s health in question. I know the company line is that Pujols is good-to-go…but is he really? Am I worried for nothing? Are they prepairing Duncan as a plan B?
Hog–
Duncan playing 1B has more to do with Spiezio being released and 25-man roster flexability than Pujols’ health. Spiezio was the first back-up at first and third, and with him gone, all they really have is Phelps, a guy they don’t know can play any other position.