07.02.2009 3:17 pm

Cards set to face Zito in finale

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

For the 26th time this season, St. Louis will face a left-handed starter when 2002 AL Cy Young winner Barry Zito takes the mound at Busch Stadium tonight against Todd Wellemeyer. The Cards are 12-13 against lefthanded starters this season, but they scored three runs in 6 2/3 innings against Zito in a 6-2 win at San Francisco against May.

The 31-year-old has looked well past his prime this season, going 4-7 with a 4.55 ERA. But he got enough run support to go 3-1 in five starts in June, despite posting an ERA of 5.81.

The Cardinals have struggled mightily at the plate against lefties this year, batting just .224 with an OPS of .668 compared to .266 and .763 against right-handers. Ryan Ludwick is the only player in today’s starting lineup hitting better against left-handed pitching than right, with an average of .278 compared to .220.

Even Pujols is hitting .351 against righties and .304 against lefties. But he has hit the long ball a lot more often, hitting a home run in better than every four at-bats against lefthanders, compared to a slightly more mortal one in every 10 at-bats against righthanders. Last night’s hero, Colby Rasmus, is hitting a woeful .143 against lefthanders with one home run.

Here’s the lineup LaRussa will be sending out to try to get the split against San Francisco in tonight’s game, which has an early 6:15 start time:

1. Brendan Ryan, SS

2. Skip Schumaker, 2B

3. Albert Pujols, 1B

4. Ryan Ludwick, RF

5. Yadier Molina, C

6. Chris Duncan, LF

7. Tyler Greene, 3B

8. Todd Wellemeyer, SP

9. Colby Rasmus, CF

(7 votes, average: 4.14 out of 5)

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Tags: Barry Zito, colby rasmus, lefthanded pitching, Ryan Ludwick, St. Louis Cardinals, Todd Wellemeyer

23 comments

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Blog Comments: Rules of the Road

why does chris duncan get to play every night. he is absolutely horrible

— mark

3:46 pm July 2nd, 2009

Mark, agreed but its either him or Ankiel, both are playing like 4th graders. Pick your poison

— Birdflu

3:49 pm July 2nd, 2009

Agreed, Dunc, Ank, or Thurston. The problem with these guys right now is that there will always be a couple of holes in the lineup, simply because there really isn’t another option at this point.

— campbellj21

3:58 pm July 2nd, 2009

1. Ryan SS
2. Greene 3B
3. Pujols 1B
4. Ludwick RF
5. Molina C
6. Hoffpaur 2B
7. Schumaker LF
8. P
9. Rasmus CF

6 righties in a row. No Dunc, No Ank, problem solved.

— idea guy

4:01 pm July 2nd, 2009

That would be a better lineup, but Hoffpauir is still considered a hole in the lineup until he at least gets his first AB. But that is a good way to keep Dunc, Ank, and Joey “Swings Alot” Thurston on the bench.

— campbellj21

4:08 pm July 2nd, 2009

Mark. I agree, I am getting so sick of watching Duncan paraded out there EVERY day. We rotate all the other outfielders EXCEPT him. Last night was just agonizing to watch. I have gotten to the point that when he comes up and there are two outs, I go ahead and go to the kitchen to get the snacks during commercials. I like Idea guys lineup. Sounds good to me. As much as I love Ankiel, maybe we can trade him and duncan together to get an average right handed outfield bat.

— Jesse

4:10 pm July 2nd, 2009

I’d have a lineup like this:

1. Skip Schumaker - LF
2. Brendan Ryan - SS
3. Jose Alberto Pujols Alcantar - 1B
4. Ryan Ludwick - RF
5. Colby Rasmus - CF
6. Yadier Molina - C
7. Tyler Greene - 3B
8. Jarret Hoffpauir - 2B
9. Pitcher

I want Skip leading off everytime. You get three RH bats behind him before Colby comes up…and then another 4 RH bats behind Colby before Skip comes back around.

I hate to through Dunc and Ank out…but they’re just not hitting the ball. Time to get the new blood into the game.

Love Joe Thurston, but I’m starting to believe what the BoSox and other orgs believe about him…he’s not a major leaguer (despite him, obviously, being on a major league roster).

— BirdFanInBabylon

4:17 pm July 2nd, 2009

rasmus 9th? the guy should be hitting 5th at least.

— rob

4:18 pm July 2nd, 2009

Ooops…that’s “Alcantara”…missed the last “a”.

— BirdFanInBabylon

4:18 pm July 2nd, 2009

I’d rather see Ankiel instead of Duncan. I have to cover my son’s eyes when we watch Duncan twist away from strikes on the inner half, like he is going to get beaned on a strike. How is he supposed to learn to stand in there and take cuts watching a pu**y like that hit.

— Ken

4:43 pm July 2nd, 2009

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Cards set to face Zito in finale

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