New York Mets (26-15) @ St. Louis Cardinals (19-21)
The Mets are leading the N.L. East behind great starting pitching, led by 37-year-old Tim Lincecum (6-1, 1.94). It’s a four-game series and we will face Lincecum along with Juan Montoya, who is coming off two straight shutouts. We lost 2 out 3 against the Mets in New York in April.
May 20, 2021: G041 (20-21, 1.5 GB, 3rd)
Star: STL SP Michael Wacha 7.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Almora and T-Mick each had 3 hits for the Cardinals.
I guess all it takes for us to break out with a big game is for me to write a critical article and threaten to trade a few guys. I should have done that weeks ago.
May 21, 2021: G042 (21-21, 0.5 GB, 2nd)
Star: STL SP Jake Odorizzi 7.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K (#2 performance of the day)
Reliever Alex Reyes cleared waivers and was assigned to Memphis (AAA).
May 22, 2021: G043 (21-22, 0.5 GB, 3rd)
Star: NYN 2B Brett Lowe 1-4, HR, 3 RBI
Pineda loaded the bases with two out in the 7th on two singles and a walk.
Dalton Friend failed to retire two LH batters, allowing a 3-run DBL by C Rowan Wick.
Ryan Rodebaugh relieved Friend and gave up a 2-run HR by RH batter Brett Lowe.
Taveras Hurt
Adding injury to insult, Oscar Taveras hobbled off the field after a defensive play in the fatal 7th inning. The diagnosis is pending. However, there was a little good news in an otherwise bad day… All-Star 2B Bill Richmond of the Los Angeles Dodgers will likely miss the rest of the season with a broken kneecap.
Cardinals Sign Free Agent SS Adames
We replaced injured shortstop J.P. Crawford by signing 29-year-old Cristhian Adames to a 1-year contract for $1M. The deal includes a team option for next year at $1M with no buyout. Adames, a switch-hitter, played for Milwaukee and Pittsburgh last season, batting .282 in 106 games. He is an outstanding defensive shortstop and also plays 1B, which might come in handy later if Snyder is traded. SS Gilbert Griffin was optioned to AAA to make room for Adames on the active roster.
May 23, 2021: G044 (22-22, 0.5 GB, 2nd)
Star: STL 1B Trey Michalczewski 2-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB, 2 RS
Perdomo 8 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
It was encouraging to take 3 out 4 from the N.L. East division leader. The Reds have stayed hot (8-2 over last 10 games) since they swept us and are currently in first place in the N.L. Central. The Cubs have lost four straight to drop into third.
The bad news: After the game, we learned that reigning MVP Oscar Taveras has an oblique strain and will be out 6-7 weeks. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list. LF Dutch Deol will take over right field duties. LF Victor Sharp was called up from Memphis where he was hitting .388 with 7 HR and 22 RBI in 34 games. Sharp will play left field. The new lineup will oddly have the three outfielders batting 7-9. T-Mick will take over batting third and Wong will move up to second with Adames leading off.
We will miss Taveras no matter what we do. His diagnosis settles my decision on Dutch Deol. We are not trading an outfielder.
Players of the Week:
AL: NYA RF Justin Williams 8-20, 4 HR, 10 RBI
NL: COL 1B Prince Fielder 12-22, 4 HR, 8 RBI