Aim to do a write-up for every Cards game. I admit to being a very biased fan, but I follow this team closely.
Carlos Martinez had a break-out season for St. Louis last year, going 16-9 with a 3.04 ERA and I like him to build off of that. Cardinals' backers have two concerns: 1) the fact that they played much worse at home than on the road and 2) that Martinez' ERA against the Cubs last year was over 4. Before last season, the Cards were one of the best home teams. They have a great chance to restart being one against the Cubs, who they nearly split the series with last year (9-10) and now have one of their best players in Fowler in their lineup, so that they finally have a reliable leadoff hitter, with a .359 obp. And Fowler certainly knows his former pitcher Lester well. Lester's catcher Dave Ross retired and I expect therefore some discomfort and drop in Lester's performance overall. Another variable is that then upstart rookie Diaz only saw two AB's against Lester due to injury and that Piscotty is one to start a season strong rather than hit well later on, because he was hitting well above .300 during the beginning of the season last year, before he faded. Piscotty only saw Lester in April and May in the midst of a tremendous slump. Same with Martinez, who went 4-0 last April with a 1.93 ERA. One of those wins was indeed against the Cubs, in which he pitched 7 and allowed one run. In sum, some concerns for the Cardinals seem illogical, such as to assume that they will struggle again at home. The Cards are known for their strong fan base and I can only feel it expectant for them to return to being a strong home team. Others, such as surrounding Piscotty and Martinez, are mitigated by their strength in the beginning of the season. I think Piscotty in his maturation develops consistency and starts off strong. I think Martinez brings his April form. I think the bats will be there for the Cards, with Fowler, and we see the best of the Cards at home against a team that may feel awkward in their first game as defending champions. The value lies with the Cardinals to win.
Carlos Martinez had a break-out season for St. Louis last year, going 16-9 with a 3.04 ERA and I like him to build off of that. Cardinals' backers have two concerns: 1) the fact that they played much worse at home than on the road and 2) that Martinez' ERA against the Cubs last year was over 4. Before last season, the Cards were one of the best home teams. They have a great chance to restart being one against the Cubs, who they nearly split the series with last year (9-10) and now have one of their best players in Fowler in their lineup, so that they finally have a reliable leadoff hitter, with a .359 obp. And Fowler certainly knows his former pitcher Lester well. Lester's catcher Dave Ross retired and I expect therefore some discomfort and drop in Lester's performance overall. Another variable is that then upstart rookie Diaz only saw two AB's against Lester due to injury and that Piscotty is one to start a season strong rather than hit well later on, because he was hitting well above .300 during the beginning of the season last year, before he faded. Piscotty only saw Lester in April and May in the midst of a tremendous slump. Same with Martinez, who went 4-0 last April with a 1.93 ERA. One of those wins was indeed against the Cubs, in which he pitched 7 and allowed one run. In sum, some concerns for the Cardinals seem illogical, such as to assume that they will struggle again at home. The Cards are known for their strong fan base and I can only feel it expectant for them to return to being a strong home team. Others, such as surrounding Piscotty and Martinez, are mitigated by their strength in the beginning of the season. I think Piscotty in his maturation develops consistency and starts off strong. I think Martinez brings his April form. I think the bats will be there for the Cards, with Fowler, and we see the best of the Cards at home against a team that may feel awkward in their first game as defending champions. The value lies with the Cardinals to win.
