The thing that is really scary about today’s OF alignment is Tony’s comment that from now on the “best three outfielders will start.” The implication of Duncan starting AGAIN today then, is that Tony thinks he’s one of the best 3 outfielders!!! He is convinced that Chris Duncan is a better player than he is, and come hell or high water, he’s going to prove it.

I had hoped (obviously in vain) that yesterday’s game would show Tony that it is foolhardy to put Duncan and Ank together in the middle of the lineup. As we saw yesterday, the effect is to destroy the success of your on-base guys at the top of the lineup. When you have guys that are good at getting on base and teams that persist in putting Albert on base with the IBB, you can’t have 2 dead spots in the lineup immediately following them (and that’s not even talking about the problem of having Thurston in the lineup, too). And Norman, when you have a team where so many guys are not hitting, you don’t have the luxury of lefty-right matchups. You have to just go with the guys who are hitting. What is the point of putting a lefty in when that lefty isn’t hitting anybody? I just don’t get what’s so tough about understanding that.

There are two combinations that should never be on the field at the same time: Ankiel/Duncan and Thurston/T. Greene. To have all four play at the same time is especially brutal. After watching Hoffpauir’s two at bats last night, I’m starting to think your best outfield would be Schumacher, Rasmus, and Ludwick with Hoffpauir playing second. This team needs more players who take good at bats and make contact.

As a lifelong Cardinal fan I appreciate the overall job TLR does. That being said I have grown especially weary of TLR batting the pitcher 8th. It simply does not work. The same can be said of the undeserved playing time given to Ankiel and Duncan. I have believed Duncan would evolve into an everyday player but that is not happening. Ludwick and Rasmus simply must be in the lineup on a daily basis. ENOUGH ALREADY!

I’m confused (and a little upset), I know we’re facing a RHP today but Duncan has to go. He’s not hitting, he’s not much help in the field, so why is he playing? Luddy isn’t that bad vs right handers he’s at least gotten a hit in his last few appearances. Why is Dunc even a Cardinal anymore? I’m not looking for anything bad to happen to him but I feel that he shouldn’t be in the NL. I don’t know what more to say, even big Dunc has to recognize that his son isn’t doing any good for himself or his team. It’s time to let him go to a team that can actually use what he’s got to offer.

Does anyone else out there look forward to the day when we don’t have to put up with anymore spot starts by Brad Thompson. Is it just me or is it always a guaranteed loss.

Playing Baby Dunc and Stickless Rick at the same time is not a good idea. Batting them 4th-5th is even less a good idea. Righty/lefty for those two guys makes no difference. Frustrating to all Cards fans who watch practically every game.

I’ve always defended TLR to some of my friends who don’t like him, but this is a little mind-boggling to me. You can’t defend it as a “righty-lefty no-brainer,” because there are far more righty starting pitchers than lefties, and by that logic you’re saying Ank and Dunc should start over Ludwick 80% of the time. That just doesn’t make sense. Sure, Lud’s overall numbers this year are underwhelming, but as someone else mentioned, sitting him right when he seems to be starting to hit again, in favor of two guys who haven’t hit lefties OR righties all season long, just seems stupid. Not to mention the defensive downgrade you get with Duncan. On top of that, TLR risks letting the streaky Ludwick get bank into a pouty funk, since we know he’s sensitive to playing time.

And for what it’s worth, I think this is the first time I’ve ever complained about a lineup.

This is whats annoying for me, pinch hitting Ludwick is fine with me as long as its not Rasmus. I mean the guy has already hit a homerun that day he deserves the right to play the rest of the game. Now since Colby’s out you have to rely on Ankiel, Duncan, and Ludwick for offense, and its well documented that Ankiel and Duncan are struggling. I mean is this all because Tony doesn’t trust young players or what?

The Cardinals 3 best outfielders should start every game. THEY ARE Schumaker, Ludwick and Ramsus. Would also give them the best defensive outfield. Come on TONY this is not rocket science!!! 64-year-old fan.

Trade Chris Duncan or ship him to double A ball where he can either make or not, most likely not. If any other ball player for La Russa was playing like Duncan he would not be on the ball club.