Cardinal Series Preview
Fresh off taking 3 out of 4 from the Division rival Phillies over the weekend which kicked off the Marlins 2022 Home Schedule. The Fish get set to host a Club which, well let's just say as much success as the Marlins have had against the Phil's over the last few years, the results have gone in the complete opposite direction when facing the Cardinals.
The Marlins have not beaten St. Louis in 3 years. Of course there was a pandemic that did not allow both Teams to play one another in 2020. But as far as 2021 goes, the Cards and Fish matched up 6 times, and 6 Games went the Red-Birds way.
The Marlins will look to extract some revenge from their neighbors at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, as 3 Legendry Cardinals make what could be their final trip to Marlins Park (that is if Playoffs are not on the '22 Menu 😉). Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina have said 2022 will be their Final Season. While tonight's Starting Pitcher Adam Wainwright is only on a 1 Year Deal in St. Louis.
It's easy to forget how close one of the greatest Hitters of All Time, Albert Pujols was to becoming a Marlin in 2011. As the Fish looked to open their new Ballpark in 2012, they were all in on Pujols, offering upwards of $200 Million Dollars to the 3 Time National League MVP. Pujols, a 2 Time World Series Champion in St. Louis, would obviously go to L.A, where he's spent the last 10 Years. The Deal with the Angels was worth around $254 Million Dollars.
Pujols, who was the 2001 (Mark McGuire's final Season) Rookie of the Year, and saw up close the Major League Debut's of Molina ('04) & Wainwright ('05), 2 World Series Champions in their own right ('06 & '11), is back to end his 1st Ballot Hall of Fame Career where it all began. Molina and Wainwright have spent their entire Hall of Fame worthy Careers in Missouri, even though 'Waino' was originally Drafted by Atlanta in the 1st Round (Later part of the J.D Drew Trade).
The Legendary Big 3 for the Cardinals aren't the only muscle St. Louis packs these days. The Red-Birds are led Offensively by possibly a Big 4 in the forms of Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Tyler O'Neil, and Dylan Carlson.
In the Rotation, Lizard Eating and Jupiter Native Miles Mikolas could take the Ball after Wainwright. As well as Free Agent newcomer in St. Louis Steven Matz, who dominated the Fish in the final Jupiter contest of the Spring. The Marlins did get to Matz however in their first Spring Training matchup, including this Jesus Aguilar 3-Run Bomb.
The Cardinal Bullpen has fire power and an old friend in Nick Wittgren. Alongside Wittgren is Closer Giovanni Gallegos 🇲🇽, and Flame Throwers from both sides in Jordan Hicks & Genesis Cabrera.
For all of St. Louis' talent, the Marlins counter with 2 extremely talented young Lefty Bats of their own, in Jesus Sanchez & Jazz Chisholm Jr. who've led the Marlins Offense throughout the young Season.
Speaking of leading, it starts with Starting Pitching and Jesus Luzardo, fresh off his most dominant Start as a Big Leaguer, will face Wainwright and the Cards tonight (Let's hope he's allowed to go more than 76 Pitches). But he's not alone, he'll be followed in the Rotation by former Cardinal and now Marlins Ace Sandy Alcantara and Pablo Lopez in Games 2 and 3 of the Series.
In other words, it's Red-Bird payback time. Go Fish!
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