MVN - Most Valuable Network

The Memphis Mafia Shines Again…And Mather Could Join Cards Soon

Game # 46 Sun. May 18, 2008

Cardinals 5 Rays 4

Different day, different hero. Yesterday, the game was won in the last at bat courtesy of Ryan Ludwick’s home run. Today Ludwick hit another “tater,” but it was Skip Schumaker who sent the fans home happy with an RBI double in the bottom of the 9th inning. Lohse was solid, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) in 6 innings of work. Chis Perez saw his second action since being called up and pitched a perfect inning for his first win in the majors. Here is my analysis of the game:

Performance of the Game: Skip Schumaker

What Went Right:

1. The Memphis Mafia - The guys from Memphis came through again. Schumaker, Ludwick, and Perez all had great days Sunday. Schumaker was 2 for 5 on the day and is hitting .286. I still think this guy is our lead-off hitter for years to come. I love the way he plays the game. Since Jimmy is gone, Skip and Rick Ankiel have become my personal favorites on the team. And Ludwick, well he is an everyday player now, the way he has performed.

2. Jason LaRue - I am going to compliment and criticize him in the same paragraph. He hasn’t very well this season, but I have to give credit where credit is due. He got on base 3 times Sunday and that is all I can ask of him. He was 1 for 3 with 2 walks. Now, as far as LaRue goes, I say demote him to AAA and see what Mark Johnson can do. Mark Johnson hasn’t played in the majors since 2004, but has 7 years experience with the White Sox, A’s, and Brewers. He isn’t any better than LaRue, but why not give him a shot to do better than the .132 average that LaRue has posted so far. I mean, Johnson is hitting .263 for us here in Memphis. So why not? Also, and this is a MAJOR benefit. It would give prospect Bryan Anderson more playing time in Memphis. LaRue could back up Anderson instead of Molina.

3. Chris Ducan - 1 for 4, .255 average. Whatever… Let Joe Mather start for us if he is called up to replace Ankiel.

Speaking of Rick, he still has a sore shoulder and is going to see the Cardinals doctor tomorrow. If they recommend that he sits for 10 to 15 days instead of 2 to 3, then there is a good possibility that he could be placed on the 15 day disabled list. If that happens, then they are going to call up Joe Mather. And trust me, Joe is the real deal. I have watched him for two season here in Memphis and I really like him. He can back up Albert at first AND play outfield. He has 8 home runs in 27 games, which would be 45+ home runs over the course of a full 154 minor league season. But I have seen enough, there is no need for him to get 45 home runs for Memphis. He is exactly where Ryan Ludwick was this time last year. Tearing the cover off of the ball in AAA and ready for a call-up. Mather is ready. I hope Rick is back in action soon, but Mather is a VERY nice contingency plan.

The win puts the Cardinals at 26-20, 6 games over .500, in 2nd place and 2 games behind the Cubs. For once, I will be a huge Astros fan as they take on the cubbies in Houston. And let’s hope we have a good west coast trip. We have three in San Diego, a day off, then three against Los Angeles. If we just keep striving to win each series, then the rest will take care of itself.

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 18th, 2008 at 11:55 pm and is filed under 2008 Cardinals, Joe Mather. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.