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2 different ways the St. Louis Cardinals should structure their lineup

By Josh Jacobs |
May 4, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) scores after hitting a three run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) scores after hitting a three run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
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The Cardinals have experimented with different lineup constructions this season. This is how the club can best utilize the organizations talent.

The 2022 season has been full of ups and downs for the St. Louis Cardinals when it comes to performance at the plate. Manager Oli Marmol has experimented with many different lineup combinations, and is seeking to unlock an offense that has been streaky at best.

The struggles of key contributors like Paul Goldschmidt, Tyler O’Neill, and Dylan Carlson has made things tricky to start the year, and duds so far from guys like Yadier Molina, Paul DeJong, and Edmundo Sosa have not helped pick up the slack. Early success from Nolan Arenado and Tommy Edman have been huge for the life of the club.

If the Cardinals are serious about putting the best possible lineup out their each day, there actually appear to be clear answers that both Marmol and President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak need to give serious consideration. If the club is willing to bite the bullet on some under performing big leaguers and lean on new contributions from top prospects, the Cardinals have the potential to be a top offense in all of baseball.

The club has major splits this season against right and left handed pitching. The club has so far dominated left handed pitching, with an OPS of .837 in 188 plate appearances thus far. The struggles have come against right handed pitching, where the club’s OPS drops to .624 in 705 plate appearances. 

How could the Cardinals continue to capitalize against left handed pitching and get back on track against right handed opponents? Here are the best possible lineup constructions…

Andrew Knizner of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after hitting a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium on April 11, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
Andrew Knizner of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after hitting a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium on April 11, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) /

How the Cardinals Should Lineup Against Right-Handed Pitching

  1. SS Tommy Edman 
  2. 1B Paul Goldschmidt
  3. LF Tyler O’Neill
  4. 3B Nolan Arenado
  5. RF Dylan Carlson
  6. 2B Nolan Gorman
  7. DH Juan Yepez
  8. CF Harrison Bader
  9. C Yadier Molina/Andrew Knizner

So far this season, the Redbirds major struggles against right handed pitching has been the biggest downfall of the club. Their OPS against right handed pitching ranks 2nd to last in the NL, just ahead of the Reds. This cannot continue, and luckily the club has some great options if they choose to utilize them.

Inserting Juan Yepez as the full time DH against right handed pitching would be a huge boost to the lineup. In his major league debut on May 4th, Yepez went 2-3 with 2 doubles, setting a Cardinals team record. In AAA Memphis this year, Yepez had an OPS of .937 with 5 HRs and 12 RBIs in 63 plate appearances against right handed pitching. Allowing him to take control of the DH against right handers will give the Cardinals another reliable bat that is much needed.

Speaking of a much needed change to the lineup, shifting Tommy Edman to shortstop and inserting Nolan Gorman into the lineup would breath so much life into the lineup. Against right handed pitching in AAA, Gorman has an OPS of 1.208 with 8 HRs and 13 RBI in 59 plate appearances. Even if his OPS drops off a few hundred points, it would be a huge upgrade over Paul DeJong and his .444 OPS in 2022.

Interesting Gorman and Yepez into the lineup versus right handed pitching not only improves greatly on two of the weakest spots in the Cardinals lineup, but it also lengthens the lineup, allowing for the Cardinals to do damage up and down the lineup. Once opposing pitchers get past Arenado, it has been smooth sailing most of the year. This lineup puts pressure on opposing pitchers every single at bat.

Fans should expect to see the likes of O’Neill, Goldschmidt, and Carlson return to form in the near future, which would turn this lineup from one of the weakest against right handed pitching into an elite force.

Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates with with Dylan Carlson #3 and Tyler O’Neill #27 after hitting a home run in the third inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on April 17, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates with with Dylan Carlson #3 and Tyler O’Neill #27 after hitting a home run in the third inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on April 17, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

How the Cardinals Should Lineup Against Left-Handed Pitching

  1. SS Tommy Edman
  2. 1B Paul Goldschmidt
  3. LF Tyler O’Neill
  4. 3B Nolan Arenado
  5. DH Albert Pujols/Juan Yepez
  6. RF Dylan Carlson
  7. CF Harrison Bader
  8. 2B Nolan Gorman
  9. C Yadier Molina/Andrew Knizner 

Already one of the league’s best verses left-handed pitching, only a few adjustments need made to this lineup.

In his 17 plate appearances versus left handed pitching, Albert Pujols has an OPS of 1.346 with 2 HRs and 4 RBI already this season. Oli Marmol has attempted to give Pujols action against right handed pitching, but he is currently slashing .083/.185/.083 and is clearly only able to hit left handed pitching at this point in his career. If Pujols can continue his performance versus lefties, he will DH in the 5 spot against left handed starters and serve as a matchup pitch hitter late in games throughout the year.

Should Pujols struggle though, Juan Yepez has mashed left handed pitching this year,  with an OPS of 1.140, 3 HR and 14 RBI in 33 plate appearances. Yepez is an elite option against left handed pitching as well and may find starts against them when the corner outfielders or infielders need to rest.

Nolan Gorman has not shown very good on base skills versus left handed pitching with a batting average of .226 and on base percentage of .306, but has managed an .822 OPS due to his .516 slugging percentage. Starting him against left handers gives the Cardinals elite power at the bottom of the order, and if a right hander enters the game, a complete masher in the 8 spot that would come in handy late in games.

If the Cardinals decide to make these lineup changes, the club will undoubtably become one of the best lineups in the National League, if not all of baseball. Benching players like Corey Dickerson and Paul DeJong in favor of Juan Yepez and Nolan Gorman revamps the starting lineup and strengthens the bench at the same time.

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