Miami Marlins (6-6) @ St. Louis Cardinals (7-5, - GB, T-1st)
The Marlins swept their first series from Milwaukee, but they have lost 2 out of 3 in their next three series. We were swept in our first series, but since then we have won 7 of 9. The Marlins are last in batting average and 9th in runs scored. Good pitching, especially from the bullpen, has kept their record respectable.
04/18/2022 (G013): STL 6, MIA 5
WP: Flores (2-0), LP: Brentz (2-1), SV: Brothers (3)
HR: MIA – Gregor (3)
Vance Knox lined a based-loaded double into the left-center gap to break a 3-3 tie and provide the margin of victory for the Redbirds over the Marlins. Rex Brothers struck out pinch-hitter Travis Jankowski with the bases loaded in the eighth, and then struck out the side in the ninth to earn the save.
04/19/2022 (G014): MIA 6, STL 0
WP: Mieres (1-1), LP: Thompson (2-1)
HR: MIA – Gregor (4)
Conrad Gregor’s 2-run homer in the 3rd inning gave Miami enough runs to beat St. Louis today. Oswaldo Mieres frustrated Cardinals hitters, allowing 8 hits and 2 walks but no runs over his eight innings of work. Shortstop J.P. Crawford had 3 hits for St. Louis, but was left in scoring position each time.
04/20/2022 (G015): STL 4, MIA 3
WP: Rosenthal (2-0), LP: Barton (0-1), SV: Brothers (4)
HR: MIA – Morneau (2); STL – Alfaro (3)
The Marlins took an early 3-0 lead on a home run by 40-year-old 1B Justin Morneau. Trevor Rosenthal settled down after that, and the Cardinals came back in the middle innings to win another one-run game. Jorge Alfaro’s 2-run homer provided the spark for the rally. After the game, the Cardinals announced that injured CF Albert Almora would begin a rehab assignment at Memphis tomorrow.
04/21/2022 (G016): STL 2, MIA 0
WP: Odorizzi (3-1), LP: Guerrieri (1-1), SV: Friend (1)
HR: STL – Cooper (3)
Jake Odorizzi dominated the Marlins, chalking up 13 strikeouts while allowing four hits and walk. A tiring Odorizzi wanted to finish the shutout, but Cardinals manager Joe Girardi was not taking any changes with the Marlins’ left-handed slugger Conrad Gregor at the plate representing the tying run. Closer Rex Brothers was unavailable, so setup left-hander Dalton Friend came in and coaxed a weak ground ball to end the game.
Comments
I checked on the availability of Miami outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. He refuses to waive his 10/5 rights for a trade to St. Louis. It’s probably just as well. I would have to rework the entire roster to fit his $20M salary into my budget. However, the fact that I even asked shows how concerned I am about the offense.