(((TODAY==))) Cardinals v Marlins live free 17 March 2023
CF Emilio Bonifacio3. 3B Hanley Ramirez4. RF Giancarlo Stanton5. LF Logan Morrison6. 1B Gaby Sanchez7. 2B Omar Infante8. C John Buck9. SP Josh JohnsonWhat They're SayingA handful of notable writers and other baseball experts recently sounded off on the Cardinals in an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The chief concern they all shared was how the loss of Carpenter was going to affect the team's pitching. Here's what the Jeff Gordon (not the driver) had to say on the matter:The Cardinals expected pitching to be their strength this season. So the loss of Chris Carpenter for at least a few months punches a hole in their rotation.
ETWatch: ESPN and streaming online on ESPN3. comLine: St. Louis +160, Miami -180; according to SportsbookOver/Under: 7, according to SportsbookKey StorylinesTony La Russa and Albert Pujols celebrating St. Louis' victory in the 2011 World Series. Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesThere are going to be a lot of storylines surrounding the Cardinals in this game. On the one hand, it will be the first game of their year-long title defense. On the other hand, and perhaps more importantly, it will be their first real game without Albert Pujols and without Tony La Russa.
In other words, it's going to be the first game of a completely new era of Cardinals baseball. The Marlins have entered a new era as well. They were very busy over the offseason, bringing in a new manager in Ozzie Guillen and high-priced free agents like Jose Reyes and Heath Bell. They also moved into a brand new ballpark. The Marlins have the talent to compete for a division title this year. It won't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but they have an opportunity to make a huge statement on Wednesday night.
Meric/Getty ImagesJosh Johnson is one of baseball's nastiest pitchers when he's healthy. Unfortunately, Johnson has a hard time staying healthy. He's already had to have Tommy John surgery, and last year, a shoulder injury limited him to nine starts. The Marlins are hoping Johnson will recapture the form he showed in 2010, when he had an NL-best 2. 30 ERA over 28 starts. Johnson is 1-2 against the Cardinals in five career starts, albeit with a solid 3. 60 ERA. Cardinals' Starting LineupThe Cardinals unveiled their lineup for Wednesday night's game via their official Twitter account. Here it is1.
The Marlins have lost right-handed reliever Jose Ceda for the season due to Tommy John surgery, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Other than that, they're in good shape. Cardinals' Starting Pitcher: Kyle LohseDoug Pensinger/Getty ImagesKyle Lohse is one of those pitchers who seems to define mediocrity, but he's coming off a very solid 2011 season. In 30 starts, Lohse had a 14-8 record with a 3.
SS Rafael FurcalFree-agent signee Carlos Beltran. Marc Serota/Getty Images2. RF Carlos Beltran3. LF Matt Holliday4. 1B Lance Berkman5. 3B David Freese6. C Yadier Molina7. CF Jon Jay8. 2B Daniel Descalso9. SP Kyle LohseMarlins' Starting LineupAnd here is the Marlins' lineup, courtesy of the team's official website:1. SS Jose ReyesFree-agent signee Jose Reyes. Sarah Glenn/Getty Images2.
39 ERA and a 1. 17 WHIP. Lohse owns a career record of 2-2 in six starts against the Marlins, with a 5. 85 ERA and a 1. 52 WHIP. He's had trouble in particular with Hanley Ramirez, who has five hits in 13 at-bats against Lohse, with a homer and three doubles. Marlins' Starting Pitcher: Josh JohnsonJ.
Key InjuriesChris CarpenterMike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesAccording to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, ace right-hander Chris Carpenter, outfielder Allen Craig and infielder Skip Schumaker are all starting the season on the disabled list. All three are eligible to come off on April 10th, though that's highly unlikely in Carpenter's case.