4 random thoughts on the 2022 St. Louis Cardinals

Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Busch Stadium on April 11, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Busch Stadium on April 11, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) /
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Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after making an out against the Cleveland Indians during the fifth inning at Progressive Field on July 28, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after making an out against the Cleveland Indians during the fifth inning at Progressive Field on July 28, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /

The Yadi-Knizner Dynamic

When Cardinals managers in the past have declared that Yadi Molina’s backup would be seeing more playing time, we learned just to think, “yeah, sure he will.” So, it’s understandable no one took new Cardinals manager Oli Marmol very seriously when he indicated current Molina backup, Andrew Knizner, would be getting more work during the upcoming season.

Well, Lo and Behold, that’s what has happened.  Knizner has started four of the Cardinals first eight games, three of those being in the just completed 4 game series vs Brewers. And…apparently with the blessings of Molina.

What’s changed?

Some of it has do with Molina’s shorter than normal Spring Training, a sore knee, and making sure he will be healthy on the days he catches for Adam Wainwright as they pursue their major league record for starts together.

However, the Cardinals are also preparing for the post Molina era. We know this will likely be Yadi’s last year and it’s understandable the Cardinals want to know what they have in Andrew Knizner.

Knizner impressed the Cardinals in the off season by playing in the DWL to work on his hitting skills. Once again it’s early, but the payoff for 27-year old  Knizner and the Cardinals is a BA of .333 and a OPS of .975.