St. Louis Cardinals reveal unexpected modifications in their Opening Day squad arrangement
Take a Peek at the Mooted St. Louis Cardinals' Lineup Ahead of the 2023 Opening Day
The Cardinals have dropped a bombshell, unveiling their prospective starting lineup for their one last warm-up game against the Memphis Redbirds before embarking on the regular season. This lineup offers a tantalizing glimpse of their anticipated Opening Day configuration.
A Lineup that Outshines Expectations
Derrick Good broke the lineup news this afternoon, and here's how it looks:
- LF - Lars Nootbaar
- 1B - Willson Contreras
- 2B - Brendan Donovan
- 3B - Nolan Arenado
- DH - Alec Burleson
- C - Ivan Herrera
- RF - Jordan Walker
- CF - Victor Scott II
- SS - Masyn Winn
Two elements of this lineup are worthy of notice. First, the decision to position Masyn Winn at the tail end of the order is a shrewd one, considering his subpar performance when stationed at the leadoff spot last year (.248/.290/.402 with a 93 wRC+). He showed more promise when batting towards the bottom of the order.
Second, the selection of Alec Burleson over Nolan Gorman could trigger debate. While Mozeliak has repeatedly championed Gorman for a substantial plate appearance allocation, Burleson's impressive stats against right-handed pitching last season (.292/.341/.464, .804 OPS, 125 wRC+) make a compelling case for his inclusion in the starting nine against righties.
Champion of the Lineup?
Is this the lineup they'll actualize for Opening Day? We'll find out on Thursday. Regardless, if this lineup materializes, it's a winner in my book.
A Quick Look at Cardinals Lineups from a Historical Perspective
Analyzing Cardinals lineups historically can help us understand the typical structure:
- Consistent figures like Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras frequently feature as core position players.
- The batting order combines speed, power, and contact skills, often setting up a fast leadoff hitter with power hitters in the middle.
- The defensive alignment focuses on experienced infielders and a robust outfield presence.
Without specific info on the 2023 Opening Day lineup, a direct comparison isn't feasible. However, examining past lineups may provide clues about forthcoming configurations based on player availability and team strategy.
- The Cardinals' lineup, as revealed by Derrick Good, includes Lars Nootbaar as the left fielder, a potential indicator of his anticipated role on Opening Day.
- Anticipating the 2023 Opening Day, the Cardinals' affiliate Alec Burleson's selection over Nolan Gorman for the designated hitter spot could spur debate among sports enthusiasts.
- In light of the upcoming St. Louis football season, the decisive placement of Masyn Winn at the ninth spot in the lineup, instead of the leadoff, is Lars Mozeliak's strategy for optimizing Winn's performance.
