Results: Astros 3, Cardinals 2
Mets 5, Cardinals 3
By Rob Rains
Based entirely on their performances this spring, it would be easy to identify which Cardinals pitcher should get the assignment to start next week’s season-opener against the Twins.
Pitcher A wrapped up a terrific spring on Friday with five scoreless innings against the Mets, allowing only one hit. He finished the spring with a 1.08 ERA, allowing only two runs in 16 2/3 innings. He also did not walk a batter all spring.’
Pitcher B’s spring training ended on Friday as well with another dud, giving up five runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Astros and two more home runs. His spring ERA was 12.56 after four very rough starts.
If you have been following along all spring, you easily could determine that Pitcher A was Michael McGreevy and Pitcher B was Sonny Gray. Because these decisions were not based solely on spring results, however, Gray will be the starter on opening day – while McGreevy is still waiting to learn if he will begin the year in St. Louis or Memphis.
That decision should come this weekend, before the Cardinals break camp and head to Memphis for an exhibition game on Monday night.
Here is how Friday’s games broke down:
High: Victor Scott II hit his fourth home run, tying him for the most on the Cardinals this spring as he continued to build his case to be the starting centerfielder.
Low: The two home runs off Gray increased his spring total to eight in 14 1/3 innings, the most in the majors.
At the plate: The Cardinals were held to a combined nine hits between the two games … Other than Scott, the only “regulars” with a hit were Jordan Walker and Pedro Pages … They got home runs from minor leaguers Leo Bernal and Randy Vilade … Masyn Winn was back in the lineup after missing two games with a sore wrist and was hitless in four at-bats, dropping his spring average to .089 … Michael Siani, also in the center field competition, saw his average fall to .105 with an 0-of-3 day … Scott is hitting .366.
On the mound: Gray gave up the five runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings although he did not walk anybody … Ryan Fernandez allowed three runs, including a two-run homer, in just 2/3 of an inning … Top prospect Quinn Mathews followed Gray to the mound and worked four scoreless innings with six strikeouts.
Worth noting: Nolan Arenado got several at-bats in a game on the back fields so he would not have to play in the field … Nolan Gorman did not play in either game because of illness … The Cardinals announced that 12 members of the team’s Hall of Fame will participate in opening-day ceremonies – Jim Edmonds, Ozzie Smith, Tony La Russa, Chris Carpenter, Ray Lankford, Ted Simmons, John Tudor, Vince Coleman, Jason Isringhausen, Matt Morris, José Oquendo and Scott Rolen.
Up next: Matthew Liberatore will make his first start of the spring on Saturday in the Cardinals next-to-last game in Florida.
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