Cards set to face Zito in finale
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)
Loading ...
To answer everyone asking why is Duncan in the line up continuously… Look at his stats compared to Ankiel… He is doing better than Ankiel is that is why he is in the line up…. Not just a little better but decently better. Duncan has almost 20 more walks in just 40 more at bats. He has an OBP of .333 compared to .294 his B.A. is .246 to Ank’s .235. That is why he is playing. Granted they are very comparable in several other areas but the one thing that shocks me is Duncan has only 9 more strike outs compared to Ankiel with 40 more at bats. Granted those are not impressive enough numbers for anyone and both player would be the fourth outfielder with they way either are playing. However, Tony has to throw someone out there and why Ank in left over Duncan if his arm doesn’t play that big of a part in left or defense for that matter. Anyone who says Stavinoha over Dunc well that’s just stupid because he isn’t even doing better than Ank in most of those previously mentioned categories. I don’t disagree with the move of sending Thurston down though… He is not a major league player… Don’t get me wrong I love the hustle, however, he’s just been horrible pretty much since April and he’s played in more games than Yadi. I like Barden over Thurston right about now but Thurston does have a better OBP. I also disagree with the person who wants Schu to batter 7th…. Are you kidding??? We want guys on base infront of Pujols…. who better than the guy who is second in runs scored and who has the second highest OBP??? Guess who leads those two categories…. that’s right PUJOLS…. So why put him 7th… I guess you don’t want to score runs??? Good luck with that and I’m glad your not making the line up!
I guess Joe Mather will never get another chance in a redbird uniform????
Chris Duncan watch - 4 more LOB with 1K, average now .243. But oh, that’s crazy to think he’s only playing because of his Dad. Fire LaRussa now!