La Russa Hints at Lineup, Bullpen, Etc.
The Cardinals’ team buses pulled out of Busch Stadium moments ago and headed to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport for their charter flight to Los Angeles. The only team rep to speak after a 2-hour workout, manager Tony La Russa left behind several hints about the composition of his roster while refusing to confirm who would man the last two spots in his righthanded-heavy bullpen.
On the team’s uninspired 2-8 finish topped by a 3-game by the untucked Milwaukee Brewers: “It happens so often. A part of the reason is once you’re virtually assured of being in there, guys lose a little edge…. All of a sudden guys get distracted by “Can I get this number? Can I get that number?” As soon as you start thinking about numbers you get distracted from doing the job.
“I don’t think we embarrassed themselves. I don’t think the Dodgers did either. A lot of clubs struggled at the end. It’s human nature a little bit…. I don’t think we have to do a lot to get back to where we were.”
On identifying the last two righthanded members of his bullpen, believed to be rookies Blake Hawksworth and Mitchell Boggs: “Maybe tomorrow is the time to announce it. It’s one of those deals that once you’ve got it figured you may as well announce it.”
On Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina, who has been hindered by knee stiffness since struck by a foul ball 10 days ago in Colorado: “I was encouraged. He came in today feeling good. He did nothing too stressful during the workout. He’ll run tomorrow and be good to go Wednesday.” La Russa says he has no reservation about Molina’s ability to handle a five-game series. The manager later identified Molina as “the guy you go in[to the series} with your fingers crossed."
La Russa ruled out sending an all-righthanded lineup against Dodgers lefthander Randy Wolf and Clayton Kershaw, which would have required Mark DeRosa playing outfield and Troy Glaus manning third base. La Russa suggested Glaus' value would remain off the bench with DeRosa at third.
"There will be a lefthanded hitter playing," La Russa promised.
About Glaus, La Russa elaborated, "I don't think Troy is 100 percent in some areas of his game. I think he's got enough to help."
On Monday's heavy "drill work" involving his infielders: "We added a little bit of infield stuff because we have guys like Mark [DeRosa] and Julio [Lugo] who had just a little pass at it during the season and weren’t at spring training.”
La Russa said that if needed in relief, John Smoltz would be more likely seen in late innings of Game 1 while Kyle Lohse would appear more toward the middle of the game. Both remain in consideration for a Game 4 start.
“I think if you had to predict, that’s what makes more sense,” La Russa said.
On Wednesday’s lineup: “I have a good idea. But you’ve got to pretend you’re a manager so you mess around on the plane tonight and play around with it tomorrow. Otherwise, people would say you don’t have much to do, which is true.”
The Cardinals work out Tuesday at 4 p.m. CST at Dodger Stadium.
More coverage of Monday’s workout can be found in Tuesday’s editions.
(9 votes, average: 4.56 out of 5)
Loading ...
My read of Chairman Tony is that Skip will be the third outfielder with Lugo at second base.
Of course I should wait and let him announce that.
Still doesn’t rule out the possibility of Lugo at 2nd and either Ankiel or Rasmus in CF.
Against Randy Wolf:
Ankiel 2/6 w/ 1RBI
Schu 0/3 w/ 1RBI 1BB
Rasmus never faced
My vote is for Schu in CF, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ankiel in there.
Joepa-
That doesn’t make sense. If Lugo were playing second and Skip is the third outfielder, then what happens to Colby or Ankiel? I am pretty sure Lugo and Glaus will be off the bench and in my opinion Schu has been better at 2nd than Lugo. I think you would be wrong in your assessment.
Lugo’s defensive shortcomings could cost them a game. I’d have no problem with Skip playing every game at 2b. ( I can’t believe I just said that…Skip over Lugo. I guess that means they aren’t very strong at 2b, eh?)
The all knowing genius LaRussa will be completely outmanaged in this matchup and hopefully these will be the last 3 games he ever wears a Cardinals uniform.
So LaRussa was OK with the Cards quitting the last 2 weeks? They cost two pitchers their shot at 20 wins and the Cy Young. What happened to “a hard nine?”
Although I totally agree with tubastarr, I think dch6859 is nuts where TLR would be severely missed if he did not return to the Cardinals next year. He is a GREAT manager and we can only hope he can do his magic and bring home number eleven but that really is up to the weapons he has on the field.
My god you LaRussa bashers are idiots. He has returned this franchise to an elite level. Enjoy the great ride and this great team while it lasts. Nothing lasts forever; look at the Rams.
What’s he supposed to say, tubastarr? That the team sucked the last few games and he doubts they’ll be able to pick it up for the post-season? And dch-whatever, bashing TLR is like internet porn for you and your brothers-in-ignorant-hatred, isn’t it? Just can’t help yourself. How did the Cards own the Dodgers in the regular season with TLR in the driver’s seat? Oh, I know: it was the players who won despite TLR not b/c of him. Of course they won’t be able to do it again b/c… TLR got worse, that’s it! Get a new act, man. Isn’t it time to call for Spags’s head?
Makes sense to put Skip as third outfielder against both lefties, batting either 1st or 8th, and putting Colby in once Wolf leaves the game. Skip does not have quite the range of Colby or Rick shagging down flies, but he is a contact hitter who will help in the strategy of getting the pitch count high.