How does this team keep winning March games?

[Carp4Cy]

Is it just because of the teams aren’t trying and so we are winning by default? Or do we have a chance to win April as well?

Walker is doing nothing.
Saggese and Urias and Hererra have barely played.
Scott and Winn and Pages and Fermin have done nothing with the bat.
Fitts has not been good enough to make the team and Dobbins and Noot are still hurt.

Blaze also did nothing and got way too much playing time.

Meanwhile, Libby, MfGreevey, Pal and May and much of the pen have been nails and Gorman and Baez and Velazquez have had very good numbers. Better than expected. But Baez won’t be on the team and can the others continue this performance once the season starts???

ST doesn’t mean anything by itself but does a 15-9 record indicate anything at all going forward ?

[ramfandan]

Is it just because of the teams aren’t trying and so we are winning by default? Or do we have a chance to win April as well?

Walker is doing nothing.
Saggese and Urias and Hererra have barely played.
Scott and Winn and Pages and Fermin have done nothing with the bat.
Fitts has not been good enough to make the team and Dobbins and Noot are still hurt.

Blaze also did nothing and got way too much playing time.

Meanwhile, Libby, MfGreevey, Pal and May and much of the pen have been nails and Gorman and Baez and Velazquez have had very good numbers. Better than expected. But Baez won’t be on the team and can the others continue this performance once the season starts???

ST doesn’t mean anything by itself but does a 15-9 record indicate anything at all going forward ?

So you think the other teams in ST don't try .. are the Cards any different ? Do they 'try' any different than those teams ?

Yes, the 15-9 tells you one important thing .. that ST means zilch just like it always does !

[RamFan08NY]

They're getting a lot of timely hitting, from a lot of guys who won't even make the tripe to St. louis. Its been a fun spring fir the team, and hopefully that fun and relaxed play carries over to April. The team has been amongst the most boring to watch the past few years, I'm hoping that the young roster adds some energy to the dugout

The real test will be when true ML hitters see the young pitchers for the 2nd, and 3rd time through the lineup.

[NYCardsFan]

Never forget . . .

(2023)

[Carp4Cy]

Is it just because of the teams aren’t trying and so we are winning by default? Or do we have a chance to win April as well?

Walker is doing nothing.
Saggese and Urias and Hererra have barely played.
Scott and Winn and Pages and Fermin have done nothing with the bat.
Fitts has not been good enough to make the team and Dobbins and Noot are still hurt.

Blaze also did nothing and got way too much playing time.

Meanwhile, Libby, MfGreevey, Pal and May and much of the pen have been nails and Gorman and Baez and Velazquez have had very good numbers. Better than expected. But Baez won’t be on the team and can the others continue this performance once the season starts???

ST doesn’t mean anything by itself but does a 15-9 record indicate anything at all going forward ?

So you think the other teams in ST don't try .. are the Cards any different ? Do they 'try' any different than those teams ?

Yes, the 15-9 tells you one important thing .. that ST means zilch just like it always does !

I don’t know. Maybe it’s different since we have so many potential competitive roster spots. So someone is trying More than on other teams. Although some that are most at risk haven’t shown up like Walker and Scott. And Sags and Noot have barely been here or not at all and probably won’t be on the April rosters either.

Or maybe we just benefit abnormally more since we have free-substitution of pitching? Would that explain anything?

maybe Ollie really is better at making pitching changes, but is it even possible to replicate that in the regular season

[Cusecards]

Does 15-9 mean anything?
Once the season starts.....no!
I look more at WHO is playing and healthy.
We all have concerns about the offense and scoring runs.
As for the pitching? Most of the regulars(Libby today for instance) have done well which is a plus.
Bottom line I guess being 15-9 means they are generally doing better than if they were 9-15?
For what it’s worth???

[ClassicO]

I’m sure glad Spring Training meant something in 2001 for the Cards. I was down there and saw a week of Albert.

[ramfandan]

How this team plays offensively will be spearheaded by 3 players ? Wetherholt, Burleson,and Herrera
If those 3 have good years, that will be a key for the offense.

[MrPostman01]

Because they think they are Duke getting 50 straight years of first two home state games to rig the tourney?

[TraveledLessRoad]

I'd rather be 15-9 than 9-15...Spring Training or not

[Carp4Cy]

How this team plays offensively will be spearheaded by 3 players ? Wetherholt, Burleson,and Herrera
If those 3 have good years, that will be a key for the offense.

Well yes, along with Gorman hopefully they can influence a lot of games.

But probably almost as important is that Winn , Walker, Pages and Scott don’t turn in below or far below average hitting performances or that the organization can quickly replace them with somebody of at least a 1 oWAR level.

[BrockFloodMaris]

The Cards are tied for fourth fewest runs allowed (100), and have scored the sixth fewest runs (109). Not much offense from either the Cards or their opponents. Pitching is largely beating hitting in our games.

[Talkin' Baseball]

How this team plays offensively will be spearheaded by 3 players ? Wetherholt, Burleson,and Herrera
If those 3 have good years, that will be a key for the offense.

Well yes, along with Gorman hopefully they can influence a lot of games.

But probably almost as important is that Winn , Walker, Pages and Scott don’t turn in below or far below average hitting performances or that the organization can quickly replace them with somebody of at least a 1 oWAR level.

Agree wholeheartedly. We expect Wetherholt, Burleson, and Herrera to be above league average hitters, and they probably will be. That said, we all know you can't have 6 underperforming spots in the lineup (some scarcely performing at all) and do any good offensively as a team. Whether these guys improve, and to what extent, will tell the tale of the season.

[hugeCardfan]

Is it just because of the teams aren’t trying and so we are winning by default? Or do we have a chance to win April as well?

Walker is doing nothing.
Saggese and Urias and Hererra have barely played.
Scott and Winn and Pages and Fermin have done nothing with the bat.
Fitts has not been good enough to make the team and Dobbins and Noot are still hurt.

Blaze also did nothing and got way too much playing time.

Meanwhile, Libby, MfGreevey, Pal and May and much of the pen have been nails and Gorman and Baez and Velazquez have had very good numbers. Better than expected. But Baez won’t be on the team and can the others continue this performance once the season starts???

ST doesn’t mean anything by itself but does a 15-9 record indicate anything at all going forward ?

Teams with very good farm systems have a leg up in ST. That they are still winning is a tribute to the pitching job being done so far, starters and relievers. We could have a decent start to the season if the momentum doesn't shift. There will be ebb and flow. Competition for starting positions isn't hurting the Cards. I like Velazquez and hope he finds continuity going forward. I believe we will get production from Velazquez, Herrera, JJ, Gorman and Church. If Winn, Walker and Scott can climb out of their malaise this will be a better team than many think; although I'd like for Walker to start in AAA.

[RamFan08NY]

How this team plays offensively will be spearheaded by 3 players ? Wetherholt, Burleson,and Herrera
If those 3 have good years, that will be a key for the offense.

I think Valzques is going to be a key addition. Im just feeling it. Add his name to those four.

[Ozziesfan41]

Does 15-9 mean anything?
Once the season starts.....no!
I look more at WHO is playing and healthy.
We all have concerns about the offense and scoring runs.
As for the pitching? Most of the regulars(Libby today for instance) have done well which is a plus.
Bottom line I guess being 15-9 means they are generally doing better than if they were 9-15?
For what it’s worth???

You nailed it with who is healthy. May was the big one to watch to see if he’s healthy. He managed 23 starts last season but pitched 20 pounds under his normal pitching weight and as a result had velocity and stamina issues he’s added that weight back on and with it the velocity and stamina. Liebratore I think they did a great job of helping him get through the season even after hitting an innings wall he was pitching very well until then I think he will be strong the whole season that’s a solid 1-2. McGreevy I think he can pitch like a solid four starter maybe number 3. Lehay is a bit of a mystery he likely goes the liebratore route from last season strong out of the gate hits an innings wall from being in the bullpen. Pallante we hope can pitch like a number five and not be complete garbage. And if anyone fails there are several starters waiting and more coming to take their place.
The bullpen I think will be strong again so strong bullpen and improved rotation will keep them from being a complete disaster like many are predicting