JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals look to even the Fins and Feathers series — a best of seven for the Abacoa Cup — this afternoon at Roger Dean Stadium, while offering a glimpse of what the Cardinals might do this season against lefthanders.
No need to rehash the Cardinals history against lefties (i.e., 22-34 in 2006).
But two of the moves the Cardinals made this offseason — one mega, the other mysterious — had to do directly with adding a righthanded bat the roster. (Impromptu hypothetical: If Juan Gonzalez was lefthanded would the Cardinals have extended him an invite?)
The big one was bringing in Troy Glaus as possible protection for Albert Pujols; his .361 average, .759 slugging and 1.235 OPS against lefties last season only made his bat that much more attractive. Gonzalez, likewise, brings a .977 career OPS.
Enter Scott Olsen.
The Marlins lefthanded will face a lineup today loaded with righthanders, including Gonzalez, Brian Barton and Ryan Ludwick (check his counterintuitive splits) — three righthanded-hitting outfielders vying for, at most, two spots on the roster. (Not to mention fringe contenders like Joe Mather.) The lineup and how each of the hitters in it have fared vs. lefties:
- Brian Barton, CF … .313 BA/.404 SLG/.813 OPS (Class AA 2007)
- Joe Mather, LF … .299 BA/.529 SLG/.910 OPS (AA-AAA in ‘07)
- Albert Pujols, 1B … .334 BA/.421 SLG/.1.041 OPS (3-yr MLB)
- Troy Glaus, 3B … .291 BA/.621 SLG/1.040 OPS (3-yr MLB)
- Juan Gonzalez, DH … .321 BA/.602 SLG/.977 OPS (career MLB)
- Ryan Ludwick, RF … .218 BA/.408 SLG/.723 OPS (3-yr MLB)
- Yadier Molina, C … .267 BA/.375 SLG/.714 OPS (3-yr MLB)
- Cesar Izturis, SS … .245 BA/.306 SLG/.591 OPS (3-yr MLB)
- Aaron Miles, 2B … .275 BA/.338 SLG/.685 OPS (3-yr MLB)
Starting pitcher: RHP Kyle McClellan. Followed by: LHP Randy Flores, RHP Blake Hawksworth, RHP Kelvin Jimenez, RHP Russ Springer, RHP Jason Motte, RHP Mark Worrell, RHP Chris Perez.
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From this morning’s session with manager Tony La Russa:
– He heard that Sidney Ponson – yep, former brief Cardinal Sidney Ponson — will throw for some scouts, including Cardinals’ scouts, in the near future. The Cardinals will attend mostly because of geography, not because of studied interest. Ponson is using a Cardinals’ mound in hopes other scouts will come to see him. Colleague Joe Strauss unearthed that nugget with a question about Sir Sid. …
– Mather is getting a start because he is a righthanded bat, and as discussed above, righthanded bats are in demand when it comes to the Cardinals’ outfield. …
– There will be some cuts today, at least that was the plan as of this morning. … La Russa on Tyler Johnson’s shoulder soreness: “It’s a concern. … It’s not a big surprise.”
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