Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Get your peanuts, programs, and start singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” because baseball is back! The Cardinals started their season by taking the win against the Chicago Cubs. They had a shutout win (3-0) in the Cubs territory, Wrigley Field. Adam Wainwright lead them to victory by pitching six innings, six strikeouts, no walks, and giving up no runs. He had players in scoring positions, but he managed to get out of trouble. Wainwright seems to be healed and back in action after the injury he experienced during Spring Training.

“I felt great to be out there pitching for the season opener. There are some things I need to work on like keeping them off base, but I believe our team did great for the first game this season. I can’t wait to see how the rest of this series goes,” Wainwright said.

Manager, Mike Matheny, was impressed with Wainwright’s ability to get out of trouble when he had players on bases. “There’s just special athletes like that, when they get in tough situations, they are able to handle their pitches when they know they need to make a big play.”

Adam Wainwright pitched against Jon Lester for the Cubs. Carlos Martinez took over pitching in the seventh inning still remaining scoreless. Jordan Walden got three outs before Trevor Rosenthal struck out for the save.

In the trainer’s room, there is talk about Jaime Garcia is going to start a throwing program in the next week or so due to his shoulder inflammation. He was placed on the 15 day disabled list before the game. He was competing for the fifth place rotation spot before this injury occurred. Matheny wants to make sure Garcia and Tommy Pharm are feeling better and the doctor lets them go back in the regular season. He does not want to face any challenges with his players being severely injured.

Cardinals take on the Reds, tomorrow, Friday April 9, 2015 at 7:10pm.

Cardinals Pitch Back into Season

The Cardinals have named the pitcher who will be the 5th starter in the rotation: Carlos Martinez. This decision came after Jaime Garcia’s renewed shoulder issues and was announced on Monday. Jaime Garcia would have likely been given the position however Martinez has held his own posting 3.94 ERA and 16/5 K/BB ratio across 16 innings during his time in Florida’s Grapefruit League.

In the beginning of spring training, Mike Matheny wanted Martinez to control his emotions. When Matheny told Martinez the good news, there was no reaction or emotion from Martinez.

“It kinda backfired when I told him because I didn’t get much. I told him to work on his emotions, and see that’s what he is doing! He really took my advice,” Matheny said and laughed on Monday.

The Cardinals edged out the New York Mets 5 to 4 yesterday April 1, 2015 as Martinez pitched six scoreless innings scattering 3 hits, struck out 5 and walked one runner.

“I worked better today and I felt better than any other start,” Martinez said through a translator. “My changeup was my best pitch, I feel, and my slider was my best pitch after my changeup.”

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny hopes Martinez can stay consistent as he becomes a key attribute in the Cardinal’s pitching rotation. Lance Lynn will start for their season opener against Milwaukee on April 13th, and Adam Wainwright will start against St. Louis April 15th. He will be followed by the rotation of Lynn, John Lackey, Michael Wacha and Martinez.