Rink23's Cardinals: Getting back to the top

rink23 · 09-30-2018, 01:14 AM

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[IMG]The 2021 season of the St. Louis Cardinals cannot be written off as a failure. Their mark of 100-62 was eight games better than any other team in the National League and only a game behind the New York Yankees for the best record in the game.
But a three-game sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers in an National League Division Series can leave a sour taste in your mouth.
So there have been some changes.
* Led by 2021 NL MVP Nolan Arenado (3B) and 2020 NL MVP Bryce Harper (RF), the starting lineup is virtually back intact.
Ender Inciarte will be the primary center fielder and Marcell Ozuna handles left. The infield will feature returnees in Rowdy Tellez and Tommy Edman along with Arenado.
The only major change will come at shortstop where Dansby Swanson was acquired in a trade with the Braves and will replace Freddy Galvis.
Swanson may not quite be Galvis from a defensive standpoint, but his upside on offense could make up for that.
Behind the plate, Jake Rogers will get a chance to reverse roles with Austin Hedges and become the primary starter.
Also, look for youngster Jeren Kendall to get some starts in the outfield. They may primarily be in center, where Inciarte may be playing his final season with the Cardinals.
* The starting rotation will again feature Luke Weaver, Carlos Martinez and Oscar De La Cruz up top, with Miles Mikolas, Lewis Thorpe and Jon Gray battling for the final two roles.
* Michael Feliz and Jayden Cullingworth will again anchor what should be a strong bullpen. It will feature a pair of new additions in Devan Watts (a right-hander acquired from Atlanta) and highly-touted free agent rookie righty Alfredo Uribe. Also back are righties Drew Steckenrider and Ben Heller and left-handers Gabriel Moya and Brad Hand.
* On the bench, which is expected to include Hedges (C) and Kendall (OF), left-handed hitting Drew Robinson can handle a number of positions and Jose Martinez is a solid right-handed bat who can play first base and the corner outfield spots.

rink23 · 09-30-2018, 01:21 AM

MLB news: Preaseason predictions at start of spring training

rink23 · 09-30-2018, 01:26 AM

Game 1: Cardinals 1, Mets 0, 11 innings, at Jupiter, Fla.
Rec: Cardinals 1-0. Mets 0-1.
W: Watts 1-0, 0.00. L: Robles 0-1, 13.50.

Player of the game: Cardinals starting pitcher Luke Weaver went four shutout innings, allowing one hit. He struck out three and walked one.

rink23 · 09-30-2018, 01:32 AM

Game 2: Reds 6, Cardinals 4, at Goodyear, Ariz.
Rec: Cardinals 1-1. Reds 1-1.
W: NBelson 1-0, 0.00. L: Martinez 0-1, 4.50. Sv: Herget 1, 0.00. HR: Rogers 1, Fairchild 1, Bohm 1.
Player of the game: The Reds' Stuart Fairchild was 1 for 3 with a homer, three runs scored and two RBIs.

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 02:37 AM

MLB news: Galvis signs with Marlins; Giants lose Andrew Miller for season

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 02:45 AM

Left-handed reliever Jayden Cullingworth pitched just a third of an inning in his first spring training out against the Mets on Feb. 25, but he came out of it with pain in his pitching elbow.
The next day, he was diagnosed with bone chips in that elbow which will keep him out up to six months (late September).
A highly-touted signing before the 2021 season, Cullingworth had a strong rookie campaign for the Cardinals posting a 3-2 record with six saves and a 3.03 ERA in a team-high 66 games.
Cullingworth's worth contract was only for two seasons, meaning the Cardinals will have to decide later in the year if they want to bring him back.
The loss of Cullingworth elevates Gabriel Moya into the top lefty spot with Brad Hand moving into the No. 2 role.

A third left-hander could be left-hander Evan Krczynski, who pitched well for AAA Memphis in 2021 before suffering an elbow injury which kept him out for seven months.
They also could look to the free-agent market, where Zach Britton, Jerry Blevins and Jake Diekman all remain unsigned.

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 02:57 AM

Game 3: Giants 9, Cardinals 6, 11 innings, at Jupiter, Fla.
Records: Cardinals 1-2, Giants 1-2.
W: Miller 1-0, 10.80. L: Kruczynski 0-1, 0.00. HR: Salazar 1, Arezorena 1.
Player of the game: The Giants' Jorge Salazar was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs.

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 03:11 AM

Game 4: Cardinals 6, Rockies 5, at Talking Stick, Ariz.
Records: Cardinals 2-2. Rockies 1-2.
W: Mikolas 1-1, 6.75. L: Baker 0-1, 3.38. Sv: Feliz 1, 3.86. HR: Soto 1, McMahon 1, Frazier 1.
Player of the game: The Cardinals' Juan Soto was 2 for 3 with a homer, two runs scored and two RBIs.

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 03:21 AM

Game 5: Cardinals 10, Pirates 4, at Bradenton, Fla.
Records: Cardinals 3-2. Pirates 3-1.
W: Thorpe 1-0, 0.00. L: Barlow 0-1, 4.50. Sv: Helsley 1, 13.50. HR: Rogers 2, Martinez 1, Cruz 1.
Player of the game: The Pirates' O'Neil Cruz was 2 for 2 with a homer, a triple and four RBIs.

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 03:24 AM

MLB news: Blue Jays' Carrasco suffers setback

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 03:27 AM

MLB news: D'backs extend Lamb; Season over for Tigers' Long and Phillies' Hoskins injured

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 03:33 AM

Game 6: Cubs 7, Cardinals 2, at Mesa, Ariz.
Records: Cardinals 3-3. Cubs 5-2.
W: Hendricks 1-1, 1.23. L: Gray 0-1, 9.00. HR: Cruz 1.
Player of the game: The Cubs' Michael Cruz was 1 for 2 with a homer and an RBI.

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 03:42 AM

Game 7: Diamondbacks 6, Cardinals 1, in Jupiter, Fla.
Records: Cardinals 3-4. Diamondbacks 4-4.
W: Sweetman 1-1, 3.38. L: Weaver 0-1, 4.32. HR: Lamb 2 (2), Arenado 1.
Player of the game: The Diamondbacks' Jake Lamb was 2 for 2 with two home runs and three RBIs.

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 03:49 AM

Game 8: Nationals 4, Cardinals 10, 10 innings, at West Palm Beach, Fla.
Records: Cardinals 3-5. Nationals 6-3.
W: Strasburg 1-0, 0.00. L: Feliz 0-1, 5.79. HR: Dozier 1, Gamel 2.
Player of the game: The Nationals' Ben Gamel was 2 for 2 with a homer and an RBI.

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 03:52 AM

MLB news: Schwarber signs with Braves; Phillies' Brito suffers injury setback

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 04:03 AM

Game 9: Cardinals 5, Marlins 1, at Jupiter, Fla.
Rec: Cardinals 4-5. Marlins 8-2.
W: De La Cruz 1-0, 1.13. L: Cabrera 0-1, 6.75. HR: Granillo 1 Hedges 1.
Player of the game: The Cardinals' Luis Granillo was 1 for 3 with a homer and two RBIs.

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 04:06 AM

MLB news: Toronto loses Karns for season

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 04:14 AM

Game 10: Phillies 6, Cardinals 4, 10 innings, at Clearwater, Fla.
Records: Cardinals 4-6. Phillies 6-4.
W: Rosenberg 1-1, 4.50. L: Feliz 0-2, 9.64. HR: Inciarte 1, Peralta 7, Venter 1.
Player of the game: The Phillies' David Peralta was 2 for 3 with a homer and four RBIs.

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 04:15 AM

MLB news: Orioles and Tigers agree to trade

rink23 · 10-01-2018, 04:23 AM

Game 11: Cardinals 2, Padres 0, at Jupiter, Fla.
Records: Cardinals 5-6. Padres 4-7.
W: Thorpe 2-0, 0.00. L: Allen 0-1, 2.25. HR: Harper 1.
Player of the game: The Cardinals' Bryce Harper was 1 for 2 with a homer and its RBIs.

09-30-2018, 01:14 AM	#1
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	Rink23's Cardinals: Getting back to the top [IMG][IMG]The 2021 season of the St. Louis Cardinals cannot be written off as a failure. Their mark of 100-62 was eight games better than any other team in the National League and only a game behind the New York Yankees for the best record in the game. But a three-game sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers in an National League Division Series can leave a sour taste in your mouth. So there have been some changes. * Led by 2021 NL MVP Nolan Arenado (3B) and 2020 NL MVP Bryce Harper (RF), the starting lineup is virtually back intact. Ender Inciarte will be the primary center fielder and Marcell Ozuna handles left. The infield will feature returnees in Rowdy Tellez and Tommy Edman along with Arenado. The only major change will come at shortstop where Dansby Swanson was acquired in a trade with the Braves and will replace Freddy Galvis. Swanson may not quite be Galvis from a defensive standpoint, but his upside on offense could make up for that. Behind the plate, Jake Rogers will get a chance to reverse roles with Austin Hedges and become the primary starter. Also, look for youngster Jeren Kendall to get some starts in the outfield. They may primarily be in center, where Inciarte may be playing his final season with the Cardinals. * The starting rotation will again feature Luke Weaver, Carlos Martinez and Oscar De La Cruz up top, with Miles Mikolas, Lewis Thorpe and Jon Gray battling for the final two roles. * Michael Feliz and Jayden Cullingworth will again anchor what should be a strong bullpen. It will feature a pair of new additions in Devan Watts (a right-hander acquired from Atlanta) and highly-touted free agent rookie righty Alfredo Uribe. Also back are righties Drew Steckenrider and Ben Heller and left-handers Gabriel Moya and Brad Hand. * On the bench, which is expected to include Hedges (C) and Kendall (OF), left-handed hitting Drew Robinson can handle a number of positions and Jose Martinez is a solid right-handed bat who can play first base and the corner outfield spots. Last edited by rink23; 09-30-2018 at 01:20 AM.

09-30-2018, 01:21 AM	#2
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	MLB news: Preaseason predictions at start of spring training MLB news: Preaseason predictions at start of spring training Attached Images

09-30-2018, 01:26 AM	#3
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	Feb. 24: Cardinals 1, Mets 0, 11 innings Game 1: Cardinals 1, Mets 0, 11 innings, at Jupiter, Fla. Rec: Cardinals 1-0. Mets 0-1. W: Watts 1-0, 0.00. L: Robles 0-1, 13.50. Player of the game: Cardinals starting pitcher Luke Weaver went four shutout innings, allowing one hit. He struck out three and walked one. Attached Images

09-30-2018, 01:32 AM	#4
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	Feb. 25: Reds 6, Cardinals 4 Game 2: Reds 6, Cardinals 4, at Goodyear, Ariz. Rec: Cardinals 1-1. Reds 1-1. W: NBelson 1-0, 0.00. L: Martinez 0-1, 4.50. Sv: Herget 1, 0.00. HR: Rogers 1, Fairchild 1, Bohm 1. Player of the game: The Reds' Stuart Fairchild was 1 for 3 with a homer, three runs scored and two RBIs. Attached Images

10-01-2018, 02:37 AM	#5
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	MLB news: Galvis signs with Marlins; Giants lose Andrew Miller for season MLB news: Galvis signs with Marlins; Giants lose Andrew Miller for season Attached Images

10-01-2018, 02:45 AM	#6
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	Cards notes: Bone chips will force Cullingworth to miss most of season Left-handed reliever Jayden Cullingworth pitched just a third of an inning in his first spring training out against the Mets on Feb. 25, but he came out of it with pain in his pitching elbow. The next day, he was diagnosed with bone chips in that elbow which will keep him out up to six months (late September). A highly-touted signing before the 2021 season, Cullingworth had a strong rookie campaign for the Cardinals posting a 3-2 record with six saves and a 3.03 ERA in a team-high 66 games. Cullingworth's worth contract was only for two seasons, meaning the Cardinals will have to decide later in the year if they want to bring him back. The loss of Cullingworth elevates Gabriel Moya into the top lefty spot with Brad Hand moving into the No. 2 role. A third left-hander could be left-hander Evan Krczynski, who pitched well for AAA Memphis in 2021 before suffering an elbow injury which kept him out for seven months. They also could look to the free-agent market, where Zach Britton, Jerry Blevins and Jake Diekman all remain unsigned. Attached Images

10-01-2018, 02:57 AM	#7
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	Feb. 26: Giants 9, Cardinals 6, 11 innings Game 3: Giants 9, Cardinals 6, 11 innings, at Jupiter, Fla. Records: Cardinals 1-2, Giants 1-2. W: Miller 1-0, 10.80. L: Kruczynski 0-1, 0.00. HR: Salazar 1, Arezorena 1. Player of the game: The Giants' Jorge Salazar was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs. Attached Images Last edited by rink23; 10-01-2018 at 02:59 AM.

10-01-2018, 03:11 AM	#8
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	Feb. 27: Cardinals 6, Rockies 5 Game 4: Cardinals 6, Rockies 5, at Talking Stick, Ariz. Records: Cardinals 2-2. Rockies 1-2. W: Mikolas 1-1, 6.75. L: Baker 0-1, 3.38. Sv: Feliz 1, 3.86. HR: Soto 1, McMahon 1, Frazier 1. Player of the game: The Cardinals' Juan Soto was 2 for 3 with a homer, two runs scored and two RBIs. Attached Images

10-01-2018, 03:21 AM	#9
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	Feb. 28: Cardinals 10, Pirates 4 Game 5: Cardinals 10, Pirates 4, at Bradenton, Fla. Records: Cardinals 3-2. Pirates 3-1. W: Thorpe 1-0, 0.00. L: Barlow 0-1, 4.50. Sv: Helsley 1, 13.50. HR: Rogers 2, Martinez 1, Cruz 1. Player of the game: The Pirates' O'Neil Cruz was 2 for 2 with a homer, a triple and four RBIs. Attached Images

10-01-2018, 03:24 AM	#10
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	MLB news: Blue Jays' Carrasco suffers setback MLB news: Blue Jays' Carrasco suffers setback Attached Images

10-01-2018, 03:27 AM	#11
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	MLB news: D'backs extend Lamb; Season over for Tigers' Long and Phillies' Hoskins injured MLB news: D'backs extend Lamb; Season over for Tigers' Long and Phillies' Hoskins injured Attached Images

10-01-2018, 03:33 AM	#12
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	March 2: Cubs 7, Cardinals 2 Game 6: Cubs 7, Cardinals 2, at Mesa, Ariz. Records: Cardinals 3-3. Cubs 5-2. W: Hendricks 1-1, 1.23. L: Gray 0-1, 9.00. HR: Cruz 1. Player of the game: The Cubs' Michael Cruz was 1 for 2 with a homer and an RBI. Attached Images

10-01-2018, 03:42 AM	#13
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	March 3: Diamondbacks 6, Cardinals 1 Game 7: Diamondbacks 6, Cardinals 1, in Jupiter, Fla. Records: Cardinals 3-4. Diamondbacks 4-4. W: Sweetman 1-1, 3.38. L: Weaver 0-1, 4.32. HR: Lamb 2 (2), Arenado 1. Player of the game: The Diamondbacks' Jake Lamb was 2 for 2 with two home runs and three RBIs. Attached Images

10-01-2018, 03:49 AM	#14
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	March 4: Nationals 4, Cardinals 3, 10 innings Game 8: Nationals 4, Cardinals 10, 10 innings, at West Palm Beach, Fla. Records: Cardinals 3-5. Nationals 6-3. W: Strasburg 1-0, 0.00. L: Feliz 0-1, 5.79. HR: Dozier 1, Gamel 2. Player of the game: The Nationals' Ben Gamel was 2 for 2 with a homer and an RBI. Attached Images

10-01-2018, 03:52 AM	#15
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	MLB news: Schwarber signs with Braves; Phillies' Brito suffers injury setback MLB news: Schwarber signs with Braves; Phillies' Brito suffers injury setback Attached Images

10-01-2018, 04:03 AM	#16
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	March 5: Cardinals 5, Marlins 1 Game 9: Cardinals 5, Marlins 1, at Jupiter, Fla. Rec: Cardinals 4-5. Marlins 8-2. W: De La Cruz 1-0, 1.13. L: Cabrera 0-1, 6.75. HR: Granillo 1 Hedges 1. Player of the game: The Cardinals' Luis Granillo was 1 for 3 with a homer and two RBIs. Attached Images

10-01-2018, 04:06 AM	#17
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	MLB news: Toronto loses Karns for season MLB news: Toronto loses Karns for season Attached Images

10-01-2018, 04:14 AM	#18
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	March 6: Phillies 6, Cardinals 4 (10 innings) Game 10: Phillies 6, Cardinals 4, 10 innings, at Clearwater, Fla. Records: Cardinals 4-6. Phillies 6-4. W: Rosenberg 1-1, 4.50. L: Feliz 0-2, 9.64. HR: Inciarte 1, Peralta 7, Venter 1. Player of the game: The Phillies' David Peralta was 2 for 3 with a homer and four RBIs. Attached Images

10-01-2018, 04:15 AM	#19
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	MLB news: Orioles and Tigers agree to trade MLB news: Orioles and Tigers agree to trade Attached Images

10-01-2018, 04:23 AM	#20
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 23,730	March 7: Cardinals 2, Padres 0 Game 11: Cardinals 2, Padres 0, at Jupiter, Fla. Records: Cardinals 5-6. Padres 4-7. W: Thorpe 2-0, 0.00. L: Allen 0-1, 2.25. HR: Harper 1. Player of the game: The Cardinals' Bryce Harper was 1 for 2 with a homer and its RBIs. Attached Images