Morris officially gets Opening Day nod

[007]

Read all aboot'it

[WinstonSmith]

Good.

Just another reason why I never thought he was capable for being a #1 stopper.

[kaiser]

Take a look at the schedule. The Cards open with 4 against the Brewers. Morris pitches game one. Then 3 against Az. Morris would pitch in that series. Then 3 against Houston--assuming a 5 man rotation, is Morris able to pitch in this series?

I did look at the schedule, and it makes more sense to have Morris start later in the first week so he can go against Houston--a division rival. It also makes more sense down the road to have someone like Suppan start the season (followed by Carpenter and Marquis, then Morris or Williams), given the way the schedule sets up.

Plus, you could not only set up the rotation such that Morris and Williams are certain to pitch against the Cubs and Astros most often, but you would likely save them a start they normally would have made at the beginning, thus reducing the wear on their arms as the season goes along.

I'd like to hear any comments people have about this, because I don't think it's trivial, and this kind of planning (rotation, batting order, composition of the bullpen) is what drives me nuts about La Russa.

[WinstonSmith]

Usually he is so intense about setting up matchups that its ridiculous.

[moedrabowsky]

Well, I for one am looking forward to Lankkkkford's discerning eye in the lead-off spot.

[davel]

Ray the K........

That's my man........

[WinstonSmith]

Where are you getting this from, Moe?

[kaiser]

Originally posted by WinstonSmith@Mar 2 2004, 09:50 AM
Usually he is so intense about setting up matchups that its ridiculous.

I agree that he does think about this stuff, but simply to put Morris in the opening day slot, just because he's Morris and it's opening day, is not good planning.

Again, look at the schedule when you get a chance. We play the Astros and Cubs a lot in the first 1/3 of the year. The best chance to win is to have your best guys going against them whenever you have a chance, and have guys like Marquis going against the Milwaukees of the world.

And saving these guys (Morris and Williams) a little bit early, especially when you don't need them (Milwaukee, for instance will be terrible this year), is good planning so they don't break down later.

[moedrabowsky]

I'm goofing, Winston.

The idea has been floated, though, by LaRussa.

Like I said, the fact that Lankford may be the opening day left fielder tells me a lot about Jocketty's offseason.

WE WANT SUPPAN!!!

[Stan_Papi]

Originally posted by kaiser+Mar 2 2004, 10:28 AM-->

QUOTE(kaiser @ Mar 2 2004, 10:28 AM)

[dredbyrd]

Originally posted by kaiser@Mar 2 2004, 09:07 AM
Take a look at the schedule.

I'm shocked that there no off days in the first week. That's usually been a complaint from me .. off day after game one, two off days in the first week. However, it allowed to us to start with a four-man last year .. Morris - off day - Williams - Stephenson - Tomko - Morris. With two off days and a rainout Morris made his third start in the team's 9th game in 2003. [with 329 pitches in 23 2/3 innings already ]

Now in 2004, we MUST have five available starters ready on April 5th.

[WinstonSmith]

Maybe Tony is going in a different direction.

He figures we can't beat the Cubs and Astros right now, so he's throwing those games away in hopes of dominating the cellar-dwellers. =/

[slow groove]

Originally posted by kaiser@Mar 2 2004, 09:07 AM
Take a look at the schedule. The Cards open with 4 against the Brewers. Morris pitches game one. Then 3 against Az. Morris would pitch in that series. Then 3 against Houston--assuming a 5 man rotation, is Morris able to pitch in this series?

I did look at the schedule, and it makes more sense to have Morris start later in the first week so he can go against Houston--a division rival. It also makes more sense down the road to have someone like Suppan start the season (followed by Carpenter and Marquis, then Morris or Williams), given the way the schedule sets up.

Plus, you could not only set up the rotation such that Morris and Williams are certain to pitch against the Cubs and Astros most often, but you would likely save them a start they normally would have made at the beginning, thus reducing the wear on their arms as the season goes along.

I'd like to hear any comments people have about this, because I don't think it's trivial, and this kind of planning (rotation, batting order, composition of the bullpen) is what drives me nuts about La Russa.

similar sentiment being echoed up here in chicago, kaiser, regarding Baker and his rotation set up...starting Wood in the opener, following up with Maddux and then Prior.

Many in the media -- and fans--are scratching their heads in wonderment and disbelief.

[WinstonSmith]

Baka isn't the genius the national media pretends he is.

[kennyboyerfan]

Kaiser:

Nothing matters until September. These early-season games don't really count. At least that's what I kept reading last year at the Press Box.

I think Tony would rather massage Morris' ego/psyche than worry about whether he can face the Astros. Matt needs to start thinking he's an ace. Might as well start on Day One.