Call for mailbag questions

Let's talk it out, friends

Coming off a frustrating series in Minnesota — a series the Cardinals could’ve swept, instead of dropping two of three, with a marginally better bullpen performance — it’s time for a dialogue.

The Cardinals remain in top wild card position in the National League, and the leading subplot is the remaking of the bottom of the lineup. Consider what Oli Marmol trotted out on May 27:

1. JJ Wetherholt, 2B

2. Iván Herrera, DH

3. Alec Burleson, 1B

4. Jordan Walker, RF

5. Nolan Gorman, 3B

6. Masyn Winn, SS

7. Bryan Torres, LF

8. Pedro Pagés, C

9. Victor Scott II, CF

And now consider Marmol’s lineup for Friday’s series opener against the Twins:

1. JJ Wetherholt, 2B

2. Iván Herrera, DH

3. Alec Burleson, 1B

4. Jordan Walker, RF

5. Lars Nootbaar, LF

6. Masyn Winn, SS

7. Jimmy Crooks, C

8. Blaze Jordan, 3B

9. Nathan Church, CF

Gorman, Scott II, and Yohel Pozo (who pinch-hit on May 27) are in Memphis, and the former two are tasked with rebuilding their offensive games. Pagés is still on the active roster, but he’s going to be a gently used backup. Nootbaar and Church are off the IL, Crooks has been recalled, and Jordan recently made his MLB debut. In a matter of days, Chaim Bloom and company drastically remade the bottom of the order, and in doing so they struck a deft balance between remaining committed to long-term development and improving the current model’s chances of remaining in contention. So, yeah, it’s time to talk.

You know how this goes. To contribute, you may reply to this email if you’re reading via those means, leave a comment below, or just hit me up at daynperry@gmail.com. Give me your questions and or thundering declarations about the Cardinals or anything else that’s on your mind — video games, books, movies, other sports, the human condition — and I’ll respond to your mailbag contributions in an upcoming episode.

Until then remain healthy, defiant.

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