John Lackey takes the mound vs the Reds

With the St Louis Cardinals continuing their road trip in Cincinnati, John Lackey takes the mound vs the 3-0 Reds. Opposing Lackey on the other side is journeyman and former Cardinals pitcher Jason Marquis.

Marquis last pitched in the majors in 2013 for the San Diego Padres going 9-5 with a 4.05 ERA and over the course of his career has pitched for 8 other ball clubs including the St Louis Cardinals from 2004-2006, picking up a World Series Ring in the process. What you see is what you get with Jason Marquis as many fans locally will remember. Marquis is not a dominant, hard thrower but has a good sinker, sharp slider and occasionally mixes and matches other pitchers as well.

Beyond that scope, this match up is intriguing from the standpoint of where Lackey and Marquis are in their respected careers. Lackey, was a member of two World Series Championship teams and although like Marquis is at the tail end of his career, still has much to offer his current team.

Lackey is a steady force from the mound having won at least 10 games every year he has pitched since 2003, although he missed all of the 2012 season due to injury. At this stage of his career, John Lackey isn’t going to wow you or over power you but he will provide a no nonsense approach every time he takes the mound, great leadership from the clubhouse, and plenty of playoff experience to provide a ear for the younger guys on the roster.

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What John also has that Marquis doesn’t is Yadier Molina at his disposal, who is one of the best catchers currently in MLB and could go down as one of the Best Ever especially on the defensive side, having won the last 7 Gold Gloves from behind the plate.

Molina and Lackey are still working to established the rapport that Molina has established with the rest of the staff but the two are veterans so it should work itself out over the season.

As for the lineups for the game:

Cardinals                                      Reds            

1. Carpenter                                 1. Hamilton            

2. Heyward                                  2. Votto

3. Holliday                                   3. Frazier

4. Adams                                      4. Mesoraco

5. Peralta                                     5. Bruce

6. Molina                                     6. Byrd

7. Wong                                       7. Phillips

8. Grichuk                                  8. Cozart

9. Lackey                                     9. Marquis

Sep 9, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams (32) holds the Cincinnati Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton (6) on base during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports