# Monday Morning GM: You Boys Like Mexico?

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-morning-gm-you-boys-like-mexico/
- Published: 2019-04-15T11:00:32-05:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

The Cardinals had a pretty successful week, sweeping what was one of the hottest
teams in the league in the Dodgers, then splitting a 2 game series with the Reds
in Mexico. Here are the NL Central Standings as of this morning:

| Team | W | L | W% | GB | 
| Brewers | 10 | 6 | .625 | — | 
| Cardinals | 9 | 6 | .600 | 0.5 | 
| Pirates | 8 | 6 | .571 | 1.0 | 
| Cubs | 5 | 9 | .357 | 4.0 | 
| Reds | 5 | 9 | .357 | 4.0 |

 The team has a Pythagorean Record of 9-6 (78 RS, 62 RA), which puts them right 
where they should be record-wise. On to the thoughts:

 * [Marcell Ozuna](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ozunama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)
   has been bad on defense this season; there is no doubt about that. His wall climb/
   fall was embarrassing for him, the team, and the fans. That said, the ball ricocheting
   off his chest on Sunday in Mexico shouldn’t be blamed on him. That turf is completely
   different than the grass they are used to playing on; it bounces further and 
   faster, so it’s not surprising that the ball went right past his glove into his
   gut. And really, he’s making up for the miscues with the bat.
 * [Andrew Miller](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=millean01,miller011and,miller014and&search=Andrew+Miller&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)
   is struggling; the comparisons to [Greg Holland](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hollagr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)
   aren’t fair though. Miller is healthy for the first time in at least 2 years 
   and is relearning the mechanics that made him successful; he’s dealt with hamstring,
   knee, and shoulder injuries the last 2 seasons. I’m willing to guess the shoulder
   injury came from the leg issues and changing his mechanics. Give him a month 
   to be straightened out; if he’s still struggling then, we need to worry.
 * For those worried about [Paul Goldschmidt](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/goldspa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)‘
   s slow start:
 *  | Month | OPS | BABIP | tOPS+ | 
    | Mar/Apr | .894 | .343 | 93 | 
    | May | .
   943 | .344 | 102 | 
    | June | 1.038 | .378 | 123 | 
    | July | .931 | .377 | 101
   | 
    | Aug | .928 | .335 | 99 | 
    | Sep/Oct | .833 | .339 | 80 |
 *  He has a history of slower starts and finishes, with him peaking during June.
   Last season, he got off to a slow start and came out of it in June. I believe
   we’ll see peak Goldie during the summer.
 * I’m still in favor of giving [Dexter Fowler](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fowlede01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)
   playing time, but they need to start getting [Tyler O’Neill](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oneilty01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)
   at bats. Fowler still has a good OBP (.333), but is showing virtually no power.
   [Harrison Bader](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/baderha01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)
   is in the same boat. O’Neill is hitting better and for more power. I’d be starting
   him against lefties for Fowler and at least a start a week in center. You could
   even steal a start every 2 weeks from Ozuna. O’Neill is hitting, but the concern
   with strikeouts is still there; he’s sitting close to a 40% K rate…that’s down
   from last year, but still not good.
 * [Alex Reyes](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reyesal02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)
   is pitching better at Memphis; he’s made 3 appearances with a 0.00 ERA. The issue
   is 6 walk and 4 Ks in 4.2 innings. He needs to get that control back in order
   to return to the Majors.
 * [Carlos Martinez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=martica04,martica03,martica02,martin019car,martin021car&search=Carlos+Martinez&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)
   threw a 20-fastball bullpen over the weekend (per [Derrick Goold](https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinals-notebook-gallegos-super-happy-to-get-to-play-for/article_760caec5-f60e-5970-a740-63d7d64c9ef9.html));
   he’s expected to do it again today. The team will determine a rehab assignment
   and a role after he throws again.

Brewers and Mets coming up this week for 3 games each. I’ll be back this week with
more Cardinals, breaking down the _Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker_ preview, and
reviews of _Bumblebee_, The Fielding Bible IV, a graphic novel, and a beer.

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