2025 St. Louis Cardinals' Unexpected Lineup Change-up
St. Louis Cardinals reveal unexpected shifts for Opening Day roster
Get ready, Cardinals fans! With the announcement of the Saint Louis Cardinals' opening day roster, the team is all set to take on the Memphis Redbirds in their final warm-up game before the regular season kicks off. But the real buzz surrounds the club's potential lineup for the opening game.
Just moments ago, they revealed the prospective lineup for tonight's showdown, and there's a few surprises in store. Notably, Lars Nootbaar in left field, Masyn Winn at shortstop, Brendan Donovan at second base, Nolan Arenado at third base, and Willson Contreras either at first base or DH.
Unveiling a Revised Lineup
Derrick Good broke the lineup on X this afternoon, and here's a rundown of the anticipated batting order:
- LF: Lars Nootbaar
- SS: Masyn Winn
- 2B: Brendan Donovan
- 3B: Nolan Arenado
- DH: Alec Burleson or Nolan Gorman (we'll see on opening day!)
- C: Ivan Herrera
- RF: Jordan Walker
- CF: Victor Scott II
- 1B: Willson Contreras
Two standout surprises catch our attention. Masyn Winn's placement at the bottom of the order after his impressive rookie year is defensible as things stand. Winn thrived towards the bottom of the order, producing better numbers than when he led the lineup. Furthermore, both Lars Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan are more suitable leadoff men at present.
The decision to opt for Alec Burleson over Nolan Gorman is another intriguing move. While Gorman has garnered much acclaim, Burleson's performance against right-handed pitching warrants his selection in the starting nine. Last year, Burleson slashed an impressive .292/.341/.464, translating to an .804 OPS and 125 wRC+, which is hard to ignore considering the Cardinals' anemic offensive performance last season.
While we eagerly await the lineup's confirmation on opening day, if this is indeed the batting order, we're optimistic about the Cardinals' potential.
On the Fence: Gorman or Burleson
It's no secret that the Cardinals are serious about giving Gorman 600+ plate appearances. Yet, it's difficult to argue against Burleson's worth in this instance.
For what it's worth, we're not bullish on Gorman, but perhaps his struggles in 2025 are a glimpse into what's to come. Nevertheless, we backed efforts to see if he could regain his form of 2022 and 2023, even if it meant a smaller role in the 2025 season. But, to be honest, it's tough to argue against Burleson's inclusion over him.
Enrichment Data:
Balancing Player Development and Offensive Gameplay
Curious about the reasoning behind the Cardinals' lineup choices? The roster's composition seems to reflect a delicate equilibrium between player development, strategic matchups, and versatility. This mindset mirrors the Cardinals' broader objective to reconcile offense, defense, and talent cultivation throughout the 2025 season.
Key Players and their Roles
Alec Burleson
- Versatility & Bat Power: Providing flexibility across both outfield and first base positions, Burleson's left-handed bat offers a valuable matchup advantage and lineup balance.
- Strong Performance: Hot off a 2024 performance that featured a .804 OPS and 125 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers, Burleson is poised to contribute significantly to the starting nine as a left-handed power hitter.
Masyn Winn
- Talent and Defense: A rising prospect, Winn's commitment to the starting shortstop role highlights the Cardinals' dedication to nurturing young talent and potentially phasing out veteran options or platooning.
- Defensive Skills: Known for his impressive defensive skills, Winn is a critical component at shortstop, especially considering the growing emphasis on strong up-the-middle defense.
Nolan Gorman's Reduced Role
- Strategic Decisions: With multiple left-handed bats, manager Oliver Marmol may be favoring player matchups and adjusting offensive balance, leading to Gorman's reduced playing time on certain days.
- Performance Factors: Gorman's struggles against left-handed pitching, slumps, or a focus on blendinbg righty/lefty batter balance may contribute to his limited role in the lineup.
- Following the announcement of the St. Louis Cardinals' potential starting lineup, it's noted that Lars Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan are anticipated to lead off this season, due to their performances last year.
- Manager Oliver Marmol's decision to pick Alec Burleson over Nolan Gorman is intriguing, given Burleson's impressive stats against right-handed pitchers in the previous season.
- The roster composition of the Cardinals appears to be a balance between player development, strategic matchups, and versatility, aligning with the team's broader objective for the 2025 season.
