FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — For the better part of a week, manager Tony La Russa has deflected any questions about the roster or the makeup of the bullpen or his exact thinking with the lineup with the simple phrase: “That is one of those for Wednesday.”
Well, it’s Wednesday.
Time for some of the answers.
The Cardinals begin the final sprint of exhibition games here in the Grapefruit League with a trip to Lauderdale to face Baltimore. It will be one of only two times in the final week here that the Cardinals can use the designated hitter, and the lineup (again) confirms the direction the Cardinals are headed in so many spots: leadoff; cleanup vs. lefties and cleanup for righties; No. 9 hitter; and … perhaps even the early favorite for an opening day start (vs. LHP Jeff Francis) at No. 2. Brian Barton has been in the spot too often not to be noticed.
Most of the position players are on the bus headed south, with the notable exceptions being two outfielders, Juan Gonzalez and Chris Duncan. Duncan is staying behind at Roger Dean Stadium to get in some swings in the minor-league games and around noon he’ll head to Lauderdale to play in the game once Baltimore Orioles starter Adam Loewen leaves it.
The game is also marked by a first: Brad Thompson’s spring debut as a starter.
THE CARDINALS
- Skip Schumaker, LF
- Brian Barton, DH
- Albert Pujols, 1B
- Troy Glaus, 3B
- Rick Ankiel, CF
- Ryan Ludwick, RF
- Yadier Molina, C
- Adam Kennedy, 2B
- Cesar Izturis, SS
Starting pitcher: RHP Brad Thompson. Bullpen: RHP Jason Isringhausen, RHP Cliff Politte, LHP Ron Villone, RHP Ryan Franklin, RHP Kelvin Jimemez, RHP Chris Perez, RHP Hugo Castellanos.
Bench: INF Rico Washington, INF Aaron Miles, INF D’Angelo Jimenez, C Jason LaRue, INF Brendan Ryan, 1B Josh Phelps, OF Amaury Marti.
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