St. Louis Cardinals: Tommy Pham MUST play every day

The St. Louis Cardinals have a team MVP candidate in an outfielder who might have once been thought of as an after-thought thanks to injury and poor performance.

The St. Louis Cardinals have too many outfielders. There, I said it. That is not, however, earth-shattering news nor is it a surprise to anyone. That said, one of these log-jammed players is putting up career numbers, bringing energy to a team that seems intent on losing, and should absolutely play every single game (until he breaks again since he was once made of glass).

I’m talking about Tommy Pham. Let me admit here that I was not a big Pham fan in seasons past and have even called for him to be released from the team or to be traded away. This season- even in light of his accomplishments- I even urged for the St. Louis Cardinals to trade him (as his value was high).

What we have on this team now, thanks to Pham, is a most valuable player who absolutely needs to man one of the outfield spots whenever the boys of summer take to the grass and dirt. The St. Louis Cardinals need the 2017 version of Tommy Pham.

I once wrote an article detailing how Pham, statistically, is the better choice for the St. Louis Cardinals in center field over Dexter Fowler. These stats remain consistent today and I would continue to urge this swap for that reason alone. Side note: if you failed to catch this piece, jump here.

Related Story: Fowler to first base?

It must be admitted, on the one hand, that Fowler will likely not relinquish the St. Louis Cardinals center field position based on quotes of his and his sizable contract but this should not be a precursor to excluding Pham from the lineup.

Let’s take a moment to revel in Pham’s offensive numbers this season. Just have a look at his by-game St. Louis Cardinals numbers:

2017 Batting Gamelog
Rk	Gcar	Gtm	Date	Tm		Opp	Rslt	Inngs	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	IBB	SO	HBP	SH	SF	ROE	GDP	SB	CS	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	BOP	aLI	WPA	RE24	DFS(DK)	DFS(FD)	Pos
1	137	28 (27)	May 5	STL	@	ATL	W,10-0	CG	5	4	1	2	1	0	1	2	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.500	.600	1.500	2.100	8	.43	0.179	1.98	23.00	31.20	CF
2	138	29	May 6	STL	@	ATL	W,5-3	CG	4	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.286	.444	.857	1.302	6	.71	-0.020	-0.80	2.00	3.00	CF
3	139	30	May 7	STL	@	ATL	W,6-4	CG(14)	6	5	2	4	0	0	2	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.500	.600	1.333	1.933	8	1.40	0.654	3.38	43.00	55.90	LF
4	140	31	May 8	STL	@	MIA	W,9-4	CG	5	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.438	.550	1.063	1.613	7	.48	-0.049	0.16	7.00	9.20	LF
5	141	32	May 9	STL	@	MIA	W,6-5	CG	4	4	1	2	2	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.450	.542	1.050	1.592	7	1.36	0.085	1.16	14.00	18.70	LF
6	142	33	May 10	STL	@	MIA	W,7-5	CG	5	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.417	.517	.917	1.434	7	.91	0.029	-0.55	7.00	9.20	LF
7	143	34	May 12	STL		CHC	L,2-3	CG	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.357	.455	.786	1.240	2	1.09	-0.125	-0.96	0.00	0.00	LF
8	144	35	May 13	STL		CHC	W,5-3	CG	4	3	2	2	1	0	0	2	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	.387	.486	.806	1.293	7	.94	0.209	2.07	23.00	31.40	LF
9	145	36	May 14	STL		CHC	W,5-0	CG	4	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.371	.463	.743	1.206	2	.41	-0.037	-0.67	8.00	9.00	LF
10	146	37	May 16	STL		BOS	L,3-6	CG	4	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	.342	.422	.684	1.106	2	1.30	-0.089	-0.61	2.00	3.50	LF
11	147	38	May 17	STL		BOS	L,4-5	CG(13)	6	5	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	.326	.412	.628	1.040	2	1.25	-0.086	-1.36	7.00	9.50	LF
12	148	39	May 19	STL		SFG	L,5-6	CG	4	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	.304	.382	.587	.969	2	.99	-0.118	-1.49	2.00	3.50	LF
13	149	40	May 20	STL		SFG	L,1-3	11-12	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.298	.375	.574	.949	9	2.27	-0.058	-0.24	0.00	0.00	PH
14	150	41	May 21	STL		SFG	W,8-3	CG	4	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.294	.367	.549	.916	6	.70	0.026	-0.64	5.00	6.20	LF
15	151	42	May 23	STL	@	LAD	L,1-2	9-9	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.288	.361	.538	.899	9	4.60	-0.053	-0.21	0.00	0.00	PH
16	152	44 (1)	May 25	STL	@	LAD	L,3-7	CG	4	3	1	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.309	.385	.545	.930	2	.60	0.070	0.90	10.00	12.20	LF
17	153	45	May 26	STL	@	COL	L,0-10	CG	3	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.310	.382	.534	.917	6	.93	-0.023	-0.45	3.00	3.00	LF
18	154	46	May 27	STL	@	COL	W,3-0	CG	5	4	1	3	0	0	1	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.339	.411	.597	1.008	2	.74	0.188	2.33	24.00	31.20	LF
19	155	47	May 28	STL	@	COL	L,4-8	CG	5	4	1	1	0	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.333	.410	.621	1.031	2	.90	0.088	0.60	16.00	21.70	LF
20	156	48	May 29	STL		LAD	L,1-5	CG	4	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.333	.415	.609	1.023	2	1.10	0.058	0.77	12.00	15.20	LF
21	157	49	May 30	STL		LAD	L,4-9	CG	4	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.319	.407	.583	.990	2	1.23	-0.042	-0.80	4.00	6.20	RF
22	158	50	May 31	STL		LAD	W,2-1	CG	3	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.320	.404	.573	.978	5	.93	-0.028	-0.14	5.00	6.20	LF
Jun	Gtm	Date	Tm		Opp	Rslt	Inngs	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	IBB	SO	HBP	SH	SF	ROE	GDP	SB	CS	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	BOP	aLI	WPA	RE24	DFS(DK)	DFS(FD)	Pos
23	159	51	Jun 1	STL		LAD	W,2-0	CG	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.304	.387	.544	.931	6	.73	-0.110	-1.87	0.00	0.00	LF
24	160	53 (1)	Jun 3	STL	@	CHC	L,3-5	CG	4	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.305	.392	.537	.928	2	1.06	-0.029	-0.28	7.00	9.20	LF
25	161	54	Jun 4	STL	@	CHC	L,6-7	CG	4	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.294	.386	.518	.904	6	1.20	-0.022	-0.27	4.00	6.20	LF
26	162	55	Jun 5	STL	@	CIN	L,2-4	CG	4	3	1	1	1	0	0	1	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.295	.390	.523	.913	6	.93	0.109	0.78	11.00	15.70	LF
27	163	56	Jun 6	STL	@	CIN	L,1-13	CG	4	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.289	.394	.511	.906	6	.33	-0.030	-1.11	4.00	6.00	LF CF
28	164	57	Jun 7	STL	@	CIN	L,4-6	CG	4	3	1	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	.301	.407	.516	.923	2	.65	0.021	0.02	15.00	18.20	CF
29	165	58	Jun 8	STL	@	CIN	L,2-5	CG	3	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.292	.397	.500	.897	6	1.08	-0.092	-1.41	0.00	0.00	LF
30	166	59	Jun 9	STL		PHI	W,3-2	CG	4	4	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.300	.400	.500	.900	5	1.13	-0.082	-0.57	6.00	6.00	LF
31	167	60	Jun 10	STL		PHI	W,7-0	CG	4	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.294	.403	.490	.893	6	.44	-0.003	-0.22	4.00	6.00	LF
32	168	61	Jun 11	STL		PHI	W,6-5	CG	4	4	2	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.302	.406	.491	.897	6	.79	0.051	0.69	17.00	21.90	LF
33	169	62	Jun 13 (1)	STL		MIL	W,6-0	CG	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.291	.394	.473	.867	3	.63	-0.062	-0.94	0.00	0.00	LF
34	170	63	Jun 13 (2)	STL		MIL	L,5-8	CG	5	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.289	.394	.465	.859	2	.96	-0.058	-0.59	5.00	6.00	CF
35	171	64	Jun 14	STL		MIL	L,6-7	9-GF	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.287	.391	.461	.852	9	2.66	-0.066	-0.16	0.00	0.00	PH
36	172	65	Jun 15	STL		MIL	L,4-6	7-8	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.284	.388	.457	.845	9	1.51	-0.039	-0.24	0.00	0.00	PH
37	173	66	Jun 16	STL	@	BAL	W,11-2	CG	5	5	2	2	0	0	1	2	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.289	.389	.479	.868	7	.38	0.000	1.63	21.00	28.40	CF
38	174	67	Jun 17	STL	@	BAL	L,7-15	CG	5	5	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.286	.383	.476	.859	7	.31	-0.027	-0.21	7.00	9.20	LF
39	175	68	Jun 18	STL	@	BAL	L,5-8	CG	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.277	.373	.462	.834	3	.81	-0.085	-1.04	0.00	0.00	LF
40	176	69	Jun 20	STL	@	PHI	W,8-1	CG(11)	5	5	1	2	0	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.281	.373	.481	.855	7	1.02	-0.027	1.90	19.00	25.20	LF
41	177	70	Jun 21	STL	@	PHI	W,7-6	CG(10)	5	5	2	2	0	0	2	2	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.286	.374	.521	.896	6	1.12	0.313	0.97	28.00	37.40	LF CF
42	178	71	Jun 22	STL	@	PHI	L,1-5	CG	4	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.285	.371	.514	.885	2	1.02	-0.115	-0.80	3.00	3.00	CF
43	179	72	Jun 23	STL		PIT	L,3-4	CG	5	5	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.282	.366	.503	.870	2	1.52	-0.187	-1.04	3.00	3.00	CF
44	180	73	Jun 24	STL		PIT	L,3-7	CG	4	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.281	.364	.497	.860	3	.46	-0.024	-0.24	3.00	3.00	LF
45	181	74	Jun 25	STL		PIT	W,8-4	CG	5	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.274	.359	.484	.843	2	1.38	-0.110	-1.36	4.00	6.20	CF
46	182	75	Jun 26	STL		CIN	W,8-2	CG	5	3	3	2	0	0	0	1	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.281	.371	.488	.858	1	.73	0.184	2.73	23.00	31.10	CF
47	183	76	Jun 27	STL	@	ARI	L,5-6	CG(10)	5	5	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	.279	.366	.479	.845	2	1.50	0.090	0.77	10.00	12.20	CF
48	184	77	Jun 28	STL	@	ARI	W,4-3	CG	4	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.280	.369	.476	.845	2	1.12	0.008	0.10	7.00	9.20	CF
49	185	78	Jun 29	STL	@	ARI	W,10-4	8-GF	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.284	.372	.479	.852	9	.85	0.070	1.83	14.00	19.20	PH CF
50	186	79	Jun 30	STL		WSN	W,8-1	CG	5	4	1	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.289	.378	.480	.858	2	.64	0.064	0.78	10.00	12.20	CF
Jul	Gtm	Date	Tm		Opp	Rslt	Inngs	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	IBB	SO	HBP	SH	SF	ROE	GDP	SB	CS	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	BOP	aLI	WPA	RE24	DFS(DK)	DFS(FD)	Pos
51	187	80	Jul 1	STL		WSN	W,2-1	CG	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.282	.371	.469	.840	1	.57	-0.059	-0.75	0.00	0.00	CF
52	188	81	Jul 2	STL		WSN	L,2-7	CG	4	3	1	1	0	0	1	2	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	.283	.373	.483	.857	2	.44	0.040	2.35	18.00	25.20	CF
53	189	82	Jul 3	STL		MIA	W,14-6	CG	5	3	2	3	0	1	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.295	.388	.503	.891	2	.33	0.155	2.81	26.00	34.40	CF
54	190	83	Jul 4	STL		MIA	L,2-5	CG	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.289	.381	.492	.873	2	1.51	-0.161	-1.63	0.00	0.00	CF
55	191	84	Jul 5	STL		MIA	L,6-9	CG	5	5	1	2	2	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.292	.381	.500	.881	2	1.21	0.107	1.92	18.00	25.70	CF
56	192	85	Jul 6	STL		MIA	W,4-3	CG	5	5	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.289	.377	.492	.870	2	1.08	-0.070	-0.65	3.00	3.00	CF
57	193	86	Jul 7	STL		NYM	L,5-6	7-8	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.288	.376	.490	.865	9	1.77	-0.051	-0.33	0.00	0.00	PH
58	194	87	Jul 8	STL		NYM	W,4-1	CG	4	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	.289	.378	.488	.865	3	1.00	-0.009	-0.24	17.00	21.20	CF
59	195	88	Jul 9	STL		NYM	W,6-0	GS-7	3	3	2	3	0	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.299	.386	.510	.895	2	.88	0.208	2.60	24.00	31.40	LF
60	196	89	Jul 14	STL	@	PIT	L,2-5	CG	4	4	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.303	.388	.510	.897	2	1.50	-0.018	0.03	13.00	15.20	LF
61	197	90	Jul 15	STL	@	PIT	W,4-0	CG	4	4	1	3	2	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.311	.393	.524	.917	2	.89	0.180	1.87	17.00	21.70	LF
62	198	91	Jul 16	STL	@	PIT	L,3-4	CG	5	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.306	.390	.514	.903	2	1.21	-0.084	-0.78	2.00	3.00	LF
63	199	92	Jul 17	STL	@	NYM	W,6-3	CG	5	3	1	2	0	0	1	3	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.311	.398	.530	.927	2	.83	0.211	2.79	25.00	34.70	LF
64	200	93	Jul 18	STL	@	NYM	W,5-0	CG	5	5	1	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	.313	.398	.527	.924	2	.76	0.079	0.43	15.00	18.70	LF
65	201	94	Jul 19	STL	@	NYM	L,3-7	CG	5	5	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.310	.394	.520	.914	2	.36	-0.041	-1.07	3.00	3.00	LF
66	202	95	Jul 20	STL	@	NYM	L,2-3	CG	4	4	1	2	1	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.313	.396	.536	.932	2	1.27	0.414	1.76	21.00	28.20	LF
67	203	96	Jul 21	STL	@	CHC	W,11-4	CG	5	4	2	2	1	0	0	2	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.316	.399	.540	.939	2	.92	0.042	1.86	18.00	25.40	LF
68	204	97	Jul 22	STL	@	CHC	L,2-3	CG	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.311	.394	.531	.925	2	1.27	-0.129	-0.74	0.00	0.00	LF
69	205	98	Jul 23	STL	@	CHC	L,3-5	CG	4	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.307	.391	.525	.916	2	1.19	-0.013	-0.39	2.00	3.00	LF
70	206	99	Jul 24	STL		COL	W,8-2	CG	5	3	2	2	0	0	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.312	.399	.538	.937	2	.46	0.054	2.09	23.00	30.90	LF CF
71	207	100	Jul 25	STL		COL	W,3-2	CG	4	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.311	.397	.534	.930	2	.86	-0.057	-0.64	3.00	3.00	LF
72	208	101	Jul 26	STL		COL	W,10-5	CG	5	2	2	2	0	0	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	.316	.403	.538	.941	2	.76	0.066	0.97	16.00	21.90	LF
73	209	102	Jul 27	STL		ARI	L,0-4	CG	4	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.315	.401	.533	.934	2	.86	-0.048	-0.53	3.00	3.00	LF
74	210	103	Jul 28	STL		ARI	W,1-0	CG	4	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	.314	.399	.529	.928	2	1.34	-0.019	-0.86	10.00	12.20	LF
75	211	104	Jul 29	STL		ARI	L,1-7	CG	4	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	.313	.397	.525	.922	2	1.00	0.175	1.32	3.00	3.00	LF
76	212	105	Jul 30	STL		ARI	W,3-2	7-GF	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.312	.396	.523	.919	9	.76	-0.019	-0.24	0.00	0.00	PH CF
Aug	Gtm	Date	Tm		Opp	Rslt	Inngs	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	IBB	SO	HBP	SH	SF	ROE	GDP	SB	CS	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	BOP	aLI	WPA	RE24	DFS(DK)	DFS(FD)	Pos
77	213	106	Aug 1	STL	@	MIL	L,2-3	CG	4	4	1	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.315	.397	.522	.920	2	1.79	0.054	0.85	10.00	12.70	CF
78	214	107	Aug 2	STL	@	MIL	W,5-4	CG	5	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.315	.401	.520	.921	2	.79	-0.013	-0.07	7.00	9.00	CF
79	215	108	Aug 3	STL	@	MIL	L,1-2	CG	4	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.314	.399	.516	.915	2	1.78	-0.145	-0.72	3.00	3.00	CF
80	216	109	Aug 4	STL	@	CIN	L,2-3	CG	5	4	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.317	.402	.516	.918	2	2.02	-0.060	0.06	15.00	18.20	CF
81	217	110	Aug 5	STL	@	CIN	W,4-1	CG	5	4	1	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.316	.402	.512	.914	2	1.46	0.019	0.34	9.00	12.70	CF
82	218	111	Aug 6	STL	@	CIN	W,13-4	CG	6	5	1	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.314	.401	.507	.907	2	.66	0.087	-0.01	9.00	12.70	CF
83	219	112	Aug 7	STL	@	KCR	W,11-3	CG	5	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.310	.398	.500	.898	2	.55	-0.009	-0.87	2.00	3.00	LF
84	220	113	Aug 8	STL	@	KCR	W,10-3	CG	6	5	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.308	.397	.495	.892	2	.99	0.051	-0.01	7.00	9.20	LF
85	221	114	Aug 9	STL		KCR	W,8-5	8-GF	1	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.310	.398	.500	.898	2	.08	0.006	0.42	5.00	6.00	LF
86	222	115	Aug 10	STL		KCR	W,8-6	CG	5	4	2	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	.309	.398	.497	.895	2	1.04	0.163	1.22	14.00	18.40	LF
87	223	116	Aug 11	STL		ATL	W,8-5	CG	5	3	1	1	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.309	.401	.498	.899	2	.67	-0.020	0.29	11.00	15.20	LF
88	224	117	Aug 12	STL		ATL	W,6-5	CG	4	3	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.310	.401	.497	.897	2	.95	0.016	0.42	5.00	6.50	LF
89	225	118	Aug 13	STL		ATL	L,3-6	CG	5	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.309	.401	.494	.894	2	.78	-0.060	-0.63	5.00	6.00	CF
90	226	119	Aug 15	STL	@	BOS	L,4-10	CG	4	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.308	.399	.491	.889	2	.68	-0.067	-0.45	5.00	6.20	LF
91	227	120	Aug 16	STL	@	BOS	L,4-5	CG	5	5	0	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.310	.399	.492	.891	2	.47	-0.020	-0.62	8.00	9.00	LF
92	228	121	Aug 17	STL	@	PIT	W,11-7	CG	5	4	3	2	0	0	1	1	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.312	.402	.502	.903	2	1.10	0.061	0.96	23.00	31.10	LF
93	229	122	Aug 18	STL	@	PIT	W,11-10	CG	5	4	2	1	0	0	1	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.311	.402	.508	.909	2	.31	0.087	0.50	20.00	28.40	LF CF
94	230	123	Aug 19	STL	@	PIT	L,4-6	CG	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.307	.397	.501	.899	2	.72	-0.110	-1.50	0.00	0.00	CF
95	231	124	Aug 20	STL	@	PIT	L,3-6	9-GF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.307	.399	.501	.900	9	.41	0.022	0.26	2.00	3.00	PH
96	232	125	Aug 22	STL		SDP	L,4-12	CG	4	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.305	.397	.497	.895	2	.82	-0.063	-0.38	2.00	3.00	LF
97	233	126	Aug 23	STL		SDP	W,6-2	CG	5	3	1	1	1	0	0	1	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.305	.400	.499	.899	2	.50	0.071	1.10	18.00	24.70	LF
98	234	127	Aug 24	STL		SDP	L,3-4	CG	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	.301	.396	.493	.889	2	1.85	-0.316	-2.48	0.00	0.00	LF
99	235	128	Aug 25	STL		TBR	L,3-7	7-8	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.303	.398	.494	.892	9	.63	0.023	0.13	3.00	3.00	PH
100	236	129	Aug 26	STL		TBR	W,6-4	CG	5	3	3	1	0	0	1	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.304	.400	.501	.901	2	1.46	0.365	1.95	24.00	34.60	CF
101	237	130	Aug 27	STL		TBR	L,2-3	CG(10)	5	5	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.302	.398	.497	.895	2	1.65	-0.137	-0.62	3.00	3.00	LF
							51-50		416	354	72	107	16	1	17	55	52	0	96	6	1	3	6	16	17	5	.302	.398	.497	.895		.95	1.558	18.38	932.00	1226.90

Impressed? I am especially considering the fact that he is currently commanding his greatest number of at-bats and greatest batting average and greatest slugging percentage and… simply put, Pham is having the best beason of his career which has been exclusively with the St. Louis Cardinals.

So why sit him ever? I get it, he needs rest from time to time but the man is on fire. Not only is he hitting well- in fact, he is outpacing the other St. Louis Cardinals outfielders by as much as 65 batting average points- but he is also playing defense at impressive rates and doing so as though it is effortless.

More from Redbird Rants

Pham is currently owning a 2.49 RF/9 when playing CF for the St. Louis Cardinals. This number is better than his career average of 2.16 at the position. Likewise, in LF, Pham owns a 2017 RF/9 of 1.79, some 15 points higher than his career average at 1.64. When appearing in RF, Pham is posting a 2017 RF/9 of 2.00 (very small sample size of one game) which is 50 points higher than his career average of 1.50.

Tommy Pham, simply put, has been the hero of many St. Louis Cardinals games as a walk-off hitter and defensive powerhouse. And yet, Manifesto (Mike Matheny) will too often chose others to play instead of Pham. I shake my head at you, sir!

One more thing: Pham brings a fire and passion this year that has not seemed present in past years. I absolutely LOVE a post-game interview with Pham because the dude will tell you how it is and he is not afraid to voice the fact that he is his own worst enemy.

Next: Please replace Matheny

Bottom line to me is this: Mike Matheny must play Tommy Pham each and every day. While Stephen Piscotty was the one to receive the St. Louis Cardinals extension (and he will likely earn it in future seasons), Pham is posting numbers to justify one of his own. Now, play the man!

Home/St Louis Cardinals News