Post#4 » by mizzoupacers » Mon Apr 2, 2007 4:11 pm
Wells had a very good Spring Training--1.06 ERA in five appearances. In fact, all five of the starters had a good spring: Wainwright's ERA was 0.98, Carpenter 2.60, Reyes 2.70, Looper 3.21. Very encouraging given the skepticism about the rotation going in, but of course it doesn't really mean anything now that the real season has started.
La Russa is overall a good manager, but he's old-school in that he values experience--even mediocre experience--over youth. I'd hoped he would become less stubborn after last fall, when injuries to numerous vets forced him to play the kids and it paid off in a championship. But with Duncan benched for the opener so that we could get the mighty So Taguchi into the lineup, and with Looper pitching ahead of the much more talented Wainwright and Reyes, you have to wonder.
But back to Wells for a minute...I'm looking forward to seeing him pitch for the Cards. He's got talent, but has been derailed by injuries and by playing for crappy teams for the last few seasons. And he's the kind of guy that La Russa and Dave Duncan have had success with over the years, and he should benefit from having a good defense behind him. If Wells can stay healthy this year, I think he could be a pleasant surprise.
But I'd still be making Wainwright my #2 starter. The guy is too good not to be. Drives me nuts that he won't pitch until game #5. Boo, Tony!