Shitty defense was a real problem last year, it's opening day and it's already a problem again

Kid Randall

Ayyyy

Martinez was nails tonight

Another walk to set up the game winning hit.

I agree, I don't like it at all.

Glad he was. Jesus, could they have possibly stranded any more ****ing runners? That was uglier than a bulldog's asshole. :banghead:

I don't see why they couldn't just implement what video games have been doing for a long time now... 1 pitch with the catcher signaling for a walk. At least then you would still get the feeling of an at bat.

That last AB demonstrates why Grichuk can't bat 8th. Hell, his HR did as well.

In the 8th, Oh had already been doubled switched into the cleanup spot (because Matheny is reeruned). But the unintentional consequence of that was to ensure that there's someone that can actually swing a bat behind Grichuk. So what happened? He got the strike he needs to do damage.

In the 9th with the bases loaded and nowhere to put him, of course he was going to get at least one pitch to hit.

Randall Grichuk is just so damn dangerous when he gets a strike that one of the very first considerations for Mike Matheny when putting together a lineup should be "will this get Randall Grichuk at least 2 pitches to hit today?"

Because the guy has genuinely game-changing power. And if you bat him 8th, teams will pitch around him any chance they get. Why throw him a strike when the pitcher's behind him and he has a below average O-Strike rate? He's a guy that will chase pitches and if you put him in the 8 hole pitchers are all the more likely to throw slop up there to get him to get himself out. Worst case scenario is they walk him and the pitcher strands him.

It's ridiculous that Grichuk was batting 8 today. It's literally the single worst spot in the entire lineup for him, including leadoff.

I don't have any idea who should bat cleanup but I hope it's not Peralta all year.

As DJ mentioned above, the 8 hole ain't for Randal, I don't think the 4 spot is ether, but that's where I'd hit him. With the top 3 in the order currently as constructed, the cleanup guy is gonna have a **** ton of guys on base in front of him all year.

Put grichuk there.

Why not Piscotty? I think he strikes out less.

He will end up there in the end unless he regresses.

I would imagine piscotty ends up there, and striking out kills, but I'd like to see grichuk hit as much as possible with guys in base

Piscotty hit .362 With RISP last year. Its a natural spot for him.

And right on cue the Cards sign Piscotty to an extension.