Mikolas to start spring opener; OD next?
JUPITER, Fla. -- When the Cardinals open Grapefruit League play on Saturday against the Marlins in Jupiter, Fla., Miles Mikolas and Jack Flaherty will be their first two pitchers, in that order.
Both right-handers will be working on a pitch count rather than set number of innings and will throw approximately 40 pitches, according to Cardinals manager Mike Shildt.
Mikolas appears to be in line as the Opening Day starter, while Flaherty could be in position to start the second game of the season. Shildt said he would make an official announcement on Saturday.
“It’s a possibility,” he said.
Shildt did not reveal who would follow Mikolas and Flaherty on the mound on Saturday at home against the Nationals.
Expect to see Kolten Wong, Paul DeJong, Harrison Bader and Jose Martinez (right field) in the lineup against the Marlins, while Paul Goldschmidt, Matt Carpenter and Dexter Fowler will likely make their debuts on Sunday.
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Shildt hinted that Wong and Bader would be his top two hitters in the batting order against Miami.
Shildt loves a shift
Run prevention is a big item on Shildt’s priority list. Aside from executing the fundamentals in the field, he feels implementing the right shifts will be key.
“It’s about understanding tendencies, where guys are going to hit the ball and making sure we’re in the right spot to make plays,” Shildt said.
Therefore, the St. Louis skipper has no problem with the growing tendency for managers to employ the shift on certain opposing hitters.
“That’s one of the reasons runs are down,” Shildt said. “There’s more advanced understanding on how to defend guys, and also a better understanding on how to use matchups. You defend what’s most likely to occur, so why not put guys where you think the ball is going to be hit? Ultimately, it’s about defending territory.”
Ozuna will start spring as DH
Not quite ready to return to the lineup as an outfielder, Marcell Ozuna will be in the Cardinals' lineup on Saturday as the designated hitter.
St. Louis' left fielder continues to progress from offseason surgery on his right shoulder. His status for a return to outfield duty is still in question, but progress is being made towards that.
“His progress has been really positive,” said Shildt, who expects Ozuna to be ready for the start of the regular season.
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Molina progress remains positive
Not ready to say just yet when we might see Yadier Molina in a Cardinals uniform this season, Shildt remains optimistic about his return from offseason knee surgery.
“He feels great,” Shildt said. “He’s in a good spot. He’s moving forward. I couldn’t be more pleased, and he couldn’t be more pleased.”
A full update is still a day or two away, however.
“We’ll have more clarity and more of a loose definitive idea the first couple days of Spring Training games -- Sunday or Monday, probably,” Shildt said.