
How the Cardinals Should Lineup Against Right-Handed Pitching
- SS Tommy Edman
- 1B Paul Goldschmidt
- LF Tyler O’Neill
- 3B Nolan Arenado
- RF Dylan Carlson
- 2B Nolan Gorman
- DH Juan Yepez
- CF Harrison Bader
- 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.