Miami Marlins (23-19) @ St. Louis Cardinals (22-22)
The surprising Marlins are running second in the N.L. East after finishing 70-92 last season. They must be doing it with mirrors because they are near the bottom of the league in offense and pitching. Their star player is 31-year-old RF Giancarlo Stanton, who misses a lot of time with injuries. They are 6-2 in one-run games, but their bullpen is mediocre so it might just be luck. Or… is it the new skipper?!? Miami is managed by former Cardinals pitching coach Derek Lilliquist, in his first season at the helm.
May 24, 2021: G045 (23-22, 1st, +0.5G)
Star: STL SP Jose Flores 9 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 11 K (game score of 86)
Flores was tiring in the 9th but, with a 5-run lead, we let him get his first career shutout.
Matt Snyder’s bases-loaded double in the 4th provided the winning runs.
MIA RF Giancarlo Stanton was injured on a defensive play in the 1st (out 2 weeks).
Cardinals and Mariners Swap Hurlers in Major Trade
As you know, this trade has been in the works for weeks. Seattle insisted on Dutch Deol and we stubbornly refused to part with him. Finally, Seattle accepted pitcher Alex Reyes instead (after “thinking about it” for 2 days). All three pitchers acquired by Seattle will be in their rotation. We will recall Ray Chambers, recently acquired in a trade from Kansas City, to fill out our starting rotation. Fan reaction in St. Louis was mixed, with excitement over Walker tempered by the loss of Luis Perdomo, who had pitched well recently.
The first thing that I did after the trade was to check on the contract demands of Taijuan Walker (with my fingers crossed). He seems anxious to get a long-term deal done and avoid the uncertainty of free agency. His desire to play for a winner is very high and his greed factor is normal, both of which play in our favor. I submitted a decent opening offer, leaving room to negotiate. I intend to get him signed as soon as possible so I can cheer for him to do well instead of worry that good performance drives his price up.
May 25, 2021: G046 (24-22, 1st, +1.5G)
Star: STL 2B Kolten Wong 2-5, TPL, 2 RBI
Michael Wacha’s line: 7.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K (one batter too many – my fault)
May 26, 2021: G047 (25-22, 1st, +1.5G)
Star: STL SP Jake Odorizzi 8 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K (#1 Performance of the Day)
The lone run came on a solo HR by Victor Sharp.