2026 opening day lineup

[Ozziesfan41]

If the starting lineup has Walker, Gorman, Church, and Scott, that offense will suck. And nobody will be going to games or watching on TV after June.

I don't understand why anyone would expect anything different. They made it pretty clear that next year will be a rebuild year.

But should you really be trying to rebuild around players that suck a rebuild is usually around young good players not young players that suck

[billybaseball]

If the starting lineup has Walker, Gorman, Church, and Scott, that offense will suck. And nobody will be going to games or watching on TV after June.

I don't understand why anyone would expect anything different. They made it pretty clear that next year will be a rebuild year.

But should you really be trying to rebuild around players that suck a rebuild is usually around young good players not young players that suck

We're not rebuilding around them. Their runway was last season.This season it's perform or you'll be replaced. But the Cardinals won't be going out and spending money. If they spend anything it will be bringing in pitchers to hopefully flip at the deadline. But no one will stay in the lineup if they aren't performing aside from Wetherholt.

[JuanAgosto]

If the starting lineup has Walker, Gorman, Church, and Scott, that offense will suck. And nobody will be going to games or watching on TV after June.

I don't understand why anyone would expect anything different. They made it pretty clear that next year will be a rebuild year.

A rebuild doesn't mean stand pat. I dont expect a huge signing, but there needs to be movement. Running out the same lineup minus Donovan and Nootbaar means you are doing very little.

[Ozziesfan41]

If the starting lineup has Walker, Gorman, Church, and Scott, that offense will suck. And nobody will be going to games or watching on TV after June.

I don't understand why anyone would expect anything different. They made it pretty clear that next year will be a rebuild year.

But should you really be trying to rebuild around players that suck a rebuild is usually around young good players not young players that suck

We're not rebuilding around them. Their runway was last season.This season it's perform or you'll be replaced. But the Cardinals won't be going out and spending money. If they spend anything it will be bringing in pitchers to hopefully flip at the deadline. But no one will stay in the lineup if they aren't performing aside from Wetherholt.

Yea gave them a runway and sucked now you give them another runway? lol dumb of bloom already starting out. Gorman has had close to 1600 at bats to show how much he sucks now they’re saying let’s give him an even 2000 to see him suck some more. lol just awful management

[ramfandan]

SS- Masyn Winn
C- Ivan Herrara
DH- Alec Burleson
1B-Wilson Contreras
2B-JJ Wetherholt
RF- Jordan Walker
3B-Nolan Gorman
LF-Nathan Church
CF- Victor Scott

Michael McGreevy
Matthew Liberatore
Andre Pallante
Kyle Leahy
John Means

I can't see this being the outfield:
RF- Jordan Walker
LF-Nathan Church
CF- Victor Scott

We can't have another season of Walker and Gorman playing a lot. It is time to move on.

That's the outfield ? Great SCOTT ! If so , I may
be taking my WALKER and shuffling off to CHURCH every morning praying for a change !!

[rockondlouie]

JJ will not go North with the club imo

I disagree. He has to be with the team within the first two weeks of the season to be eligible for the ROY PPI draft pick. He'll break camp with the team.

Unless he has a terrible camp (highly unlikely) JJW will be starting at 2nd base on opening day.

[billybaseball]

If the starting lineup has Walker, Gorman, Church, and Scott, that offense will suck. And nobody will be going to games or watching on TV after June.

I don't understand why anyone would expect anything different. They made it pretty clear that next year will be a rebuild year.

But should you really be trying to rebuild around players that suck a rebuild is usually around young good players not young players that suck

We're not rebuilding around them. Their runway was last season.This season it's perform or you'll be replaced. But the Cardinals won't be going out and spending money. If they spend anything it will be bringing in pitchers to hopefully flip at the deadline. But no one will stay in the lineup if they aren't performing aside from Wetherholt.

Yea gave them a runway and sucked now you give them another runway? lol dumb of bloom already starting out. Gorman has had close to 1600 at bats to show how much he sucks now they’re saying let’s give him an even 2000 to see him suck some more. lol just awful management

I literally said they don't get runway this year. If they don't perform they'll be gone. But Herrera, Burleson and Wetherholt are the only young position players who are currently rebuild players imo. Everyone else will have to earn playing time.

[Cranny]

If the starting lineup has Walker, Gorman, Church, and Scott, that offense will suck. And nobody will be going to games or watching on TV after June.

I don't understand why anyone would expect anything different. They made it pretty clear that next year will be a rebuild year.

But should you really be trying to rebuild around players that suck a rebuild is usually around young good players not young players that suck

We're not rebuilding around them. Their runway was last season.This season it's perform or you'll be replaced. But the Cardinals won't be going out and spending money. If they spend anything it will be bringing in pitchers to hopefully flip at the deadline. But no one will stay in the lineup if they aren't performing aside from Wetherholt.

Yea gave them a runway and sucked now you give them another runway? lol dumb of bloom already starting out. Gorman has had close to 1600 at bats to show how much he sucks now they’re saying let’s give him an even 2000 to see him suck some more. lol just awful management

I literally said they don't get runway this year. If they don't perform they'll be gone. But Herrera, Burleson and Wetherholt are the only young position players who are currently rebuild players imo. Everyone else will have to earn playing time.

Winn has to earn playing time?

[billybaseball]

If the starting lineup has Walker, Gorman, Church, and Scott, that offense will suck. And nobody will be going to games or watching on TV after June.

I don't understand why anyone would expect anything different. They made it pretty clear that next year will be a rebuild year.

But should you really be trying to rebuild around players that suck a rebuild is usually around young good players not young players that suck

We're not rebuilding around them. Their runway was last season.This season it's perform or you'll be replaced. But the Cardinals won't be going out and spending money. If they spend anything it will be bringing in pitchers to hopefully flip at the deadline. But no one will stay in the lineup if they aren't performing aside from Wetherholt.

Yea gave them a runway and sucked now you give them another runway? lol dumb of bloom already starting out. Gorman has had close to 1600 at bats to show how much he sucks now they’re saying let’s give him an even 2000 to see him suck some more. lol just awful management

I literally said they don't get runway this year. If they don't perform they'll be gone. But Herrera, Burleson and Wetherholt are the only young position players who are currently rebuild players imo. Everyone else will have to earn playing time.

Winn has to earn playing time?

.310 OBP and a .673 OPS isn't good enough no matter the defense imo

[Cranny]

If the starting lineup has Walker, Gorman, Church, and Scott, that offense will suck. And nobody will be going to games or watching on TV after June.

I don't understand why anyone would expect anything different. They made it pretty clear that next year will be a rebuild year.

But should you really be trying to rebuild around players that suck a rebuild is usually around young good players not young players that suck

We're not rebuilding around them. Their runway was last season.This season it's perform or you'll be replaced. But the Cardinals won't be going out and spending money. If they spend anything it will be bringing in pitchers to hopefully flip at the deadline. But no one will stay in the lineup if they aren't performing aside from Wetherholt.

Yea gave them a runway and sucked now you give them another runway? lol dumb of bloom already starting out. Gorman has had close to 1600 at bats to show how much he sucks now they’re saying let’s give him an even 2000 to see him suck some more. lol just awful management

I literally said they don't get runway this year. If they don't perform they'll be gone. But Herrera, Burleson and Wetherholt are the only young position players who are currently rebuild players imo. Everyone else will have to earn playing time.

Winn has to earn playing time?

.310 OBP and a .673 OPS isn't good enough no matter the defense imo

Whom does he have to beat out?

[billybaseball]

If the starting lineup has Walker, Gorman, Church, and Scott, that offense will suck. And nobody will be going to games or watching on TV after June.

I don't understand why anyone would expect anything different. They made it pretty clear that next year will be a rebuild year.

But should you really be trying to rebuild around players that suck a rebuild is usually around young good players not young players that suck

We're not rebuilding around them. Their runway was last season.This season it's perform or you'll be replaced. But the Cardinals won't be going out and spending money. If they spend anything it will be bringing in pitchers to hopefully flip at the deadline. But no one will stay in the lineup if they aren't performing aside from Wetherholt.

Yea gave them a runway and sucked now you give them another runway? lol dumb of bloom already starting out. Gorman has had close to 1600 at bats to show how much he sucks now they’re saying let’s give him an even 2000 to see him suck some more. lol just awful management

I literally said they don't get runway this year. If they don't perform they'll be gone. But Herrera, Burleson and Wetherholt are the only young position players who are currently rebuild players imo. Everyone else will have to earn playing time.

Winn has to earn playing time?

.310 OBP and a .673 OPS isn't good enough no matter the defense imo

Whom does he have to beat out?

Wetherholt is an above-average to plus defender at short.

[Melville]

SS- Masyn Winn
C- Ivan Herrara
DH- Alec Burleson
1B-Wilson Contreras
2B-JJ Wetherholt
RF- Jordan Walker
3B-Nolan Gorman
LF-Nathan Church
CF- Victor Scott

Michael McGreevy
Matthew Liberatore
Andre Pallante
Kyle Leahy
John Means

2b Wetherholt
LF Donovan
RF Acquisition
1B Contreras
DH Burleson or Herrera based on pitcher
3B Gorman
SS Winn
C Pages
CF Scott

So in your lineup, Burleson and Herrera are both on the roster, but only one is in the lineup each game, depending on the pitcher? Really?
You really are convinced Gorman can out hit both of them aren’t you?
I’m sorry but, “ NO WAY “ !
Take out Gorman,and put Donovan at 3rd base and either Burleson or Herrera in LF, and you would be closer to be being correct!
Just my opinion.

The question was regarding ONE SPECIFIC GAME.
Not every game.
Two quick observations.
One, I was first and best to correctly analyze and advise that Herrera be repurposed as a corner outfielder.
That has never changed.
Two, between DH/1B/LF/RF/2B/3B there are plenty of ways for Donovan, Gorman, Wetherholt, Contreras, Herrera, Burleson, AND an Acquisition to be in the lineup - and have one of them as a bench each day.
As for Gorman, I make zero assumptions - nor do I do so with any other player.
FACT is, he has by far the most power of any LH bat on the team and throughout his career has consistently proven to be an 80 RBI hitter per 600 PA's.
Does that mean is the best option currently?
Yes.
Until someone else proves to be a better choice.
Right now, no one on the team has.

[Cusecards]

SS- Masyn Winn
C- Ivan Herrara
DH- Alec Burleson
1B-Wilson Contreras
2B-JJ Wetherholt
RF- Jordan Walker
3B-Nolan Gorman
LF-Nathan Church
CF- Victor Scott

Michael McGreevy
Matthew Liberatore
Andre Pallante
Kyle Leahy
John Means

2b Wetherholt
LF Donovan
RF Acquisition
1B Contreras
DH Burleson or Herrera based on pitcher
3B Gorman
SS Winn
C Pages
CF Scott

So in your lineup, Burleson and Herrera are both on the roster, but only one is in the lineup each game, depending on the pitcher? Really?
You really are convinced Gorman can out hit both of them aren’t you?
I’m sorry but, “ NO WAY “ !
Take out Gorman,and put Donovan at 3rd base and either Burleson or Herrera in LF, and you would be closer to be being correct!
Just my opinion.

I also like Donovan at 3B.
The Cards are overloaded a bit with LH bats.
Someone(or two) figures to get dealt.
JJ at 2B and Donovan and Burleson are your best bats from that side.
Of course I would prefer keeping them but if a deal too good to pass up arises then you move them.
I would deal Gorman. His power is a tease.
Doesn’t have it upstairs.
I would also move Noot but he could survive due to his defense?
You have Scott as a plus defender in CF but the corners may not hold up?
C- 2 of Crooks/Pages/Pozo
DH- Herrera
1B- Contreras
2B- JJ
SS- Winn
3B- Donovan
CF- Scott
Corner OF- Burleson/Noot/Walker
Of course Noot could get dealt instead of Gorman
which puts him at 3B and Donovan in LF.
Walker survives for 2026(at least at the start) due to the remaining Option Year plus he is RH.
Saggese obviously for the bench. Of course someone could be added in trade/FA(RH bat?).
Don’t laugh but they could a lot worse than Fermin!

[Cranny]

If the starting lineup has Walker, Gorman, Church, and Scott, that offense will suck. And nobody will be going to games or watching on TV after June.

I don't understand why anyone would expect anything different. They made it pretty clear that next year will be a rebuild year.

But should you really be trying to rebuild around players that suck a rebuild is usually around young good players not young players that suck

We're not rebuilding around them. Their runway was last season.This season it's perform or you'll be replaced. But the Cardinals won't be going out and spending money. If they spend anything it will be bringing in pitchers to hopefully flip at the deadline. But no one will stay in the lineup if they aren't performing aside from Wetherholt.

Yea gave them a runway and sucked now you give them another runway? lol dumb of bloom already starting out. Gorman has had close to 1600 at bats to show how much he sucks now they’re saying let’s give him an even 2000 to see him suck some more. lol just awful management

I literally said they don't get runway this year. If they don't perform they'll be gone. But Herrera, Burleson and Wetherholt are the only young position players who are currently rebuild players imo. Everyone else will have to earn playing time.

Winn has to earn playing time?

.310 OBP and a .673 OPS isn't good enough no matter the defense imo

Whom does he have to beat out?

Wetherholt is an above-average to plus defender at short.

I believe they have him penciled in at 2B.

[Cusecards]

Mystery Poster Trivia:
“I was first”
“Best to correctly analyze”
“Easy Obvious Correct”
“Keep reading keep learning”
“I”
“I”
“Me”
“I”

And of course:
“Never about me always about the game”!
LMAO he’s a CT Treasure.

[butsir01]

SS- Masyn Winn
C- Ivan Herrara
DH- Alec Burleson
1B-Wilson Contreras
2B-JJ Wetherholt
RF- Jordan Walker
3B-Nolan Gorman
LF-Nathan Church
CF- Victor Scott

Michael McGreevy
Matthew Liberatore
Andre Pallante
Kyle Leahy
John Means

2b Wetherholt
LF Donovan
RF Acquisition
1B Contreras
DH Burleson or Herrera based on pitcher
3B Gorman
SS Winn
C Pages
CF Scott

They absolutely canno start those stiffs again next year, hoping the light finally comes on , can they? Rocco , whaddya tink? I would not attend a game on a bet.