Let the Games Begin

Tomorrow is the big day.  It’s the first Spring Training game for the Cardinals.  They’ll play Saint Louis University at Roger Dean Stadium Wednesday afternoon.  Mitchell Boggs is scheduled to start, and pitch two innings.  P.J. Walters, Clayton Mortensen, and Jamie Garcia will follow, getting two innings each, with Chris Perez to pitch the final frame.  It’ll be nice to finally have some real baseball.  The first Grapefruit League game for the Cardinals will be on Thursday, at home against the Mets.  Anthony Reyes will get the start.  I’ll be at Thursday’s game and of course will share my experience here, along with a bunch of pictures, so be sure to check back.  I’m also attending the game next Thursday, March 6th, at Roger Dean against the Marlins, as well as the game against L.A. from Dodgertown the following day.

Derrick Goold has all the latest developments from Jupiter over at Bird Land, including trouble with Brian Barton’s knee, and the news that La Russa will again be batting the pitcher eighth.  The numbers support Tony’s lineup.  The team record, runs scored per game, and the pitcher’s average and on-base percentage have all been higher when the pitcher is in the eighth slot.  Interestingly, the idea might finally catch on elsewhere.  Ned Yost, the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, is also contemplating batting the pitcher eighth.  Anthony Witrado of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has more.

From here on out, the news should be plentiful.  We’ll begin to see how the young players are coming along, how our injured players are recovering, and how the roster will shape out.  I’ll continue blogging daily, doing my best to keep everyone informed, and of course throwing in my two cents.  Let the games begin!