A stream of consciousness on local and national sports headlines.
- It’s too bad the Cards can’t guarantee Magneuris Sierra and Tommy Pham…
…playing time, because both players are perfect fits for the team’s identity. John Mozeliak spent last offseason trying to add more speed and athleticism to the Cards’ roster. That’s one of the reasons why he signed Dexter Fowler to a five-year, $82.5 million free agent contract and why there was an emphasis on sticking with Kolten Wong as the regular second baseman. Pham and Sierra fit into the vision that Mozeliak has for this roster. It’s a moot point, however, because Fowler and Stephen Piscotty will return to their everyday roles soon. And since the Cards can’t guarantee that Sierra will get regular playing time, they can’t keep a 21-year-old that was playing in High-A last week on the big league bench. Pham is certainly making a strong case never to go back to Memphis, but there’s no discussion to be had in regards to Sierra…He’s headed back to the minors soon.
- That said, as long as he’s here, enjoy Sierra while you can, Cardinals fans…
…because this kid is electric. All Sierra has to do is make contact and he’s instantly dangerous. His speed caused issues for the Braves last weekend and now he’s causing fits for the Marlins. It’s not just his speed either: Sierra is a heady player. With the Cards trailing 5-1 in the top of the eighth inning on Tuesday night in Miami, Sierra made a heads-up play to take second base when Marlins’ left-fielder Marcell Ozuna loafed to the ball after it had gotten away from him. (That set the table for a four-run inning for the Cardinals, who tied the game at, 5-5.) His speed also caused problems for pitcher AJ Ramos, who rushed his throw on a comebacker because he knew Sierra was flying up the line. The read that Sierra made on Fowler’s single to right-field was one of the highlights of the night, as the Cards held on to win their most entertaining game of the season. Even though his return to the minors is inevitable, the 21-year-old is currently must-see TV.
- The more I watch Adam Wainwright, the more compelled I am…
…to be patient with his pitching. He’s reinventing himself. He’s essentially learning on the job again. He’s learning how to pitch with the stuff he has now, not what made him an annual Cy Young candidate. CC Sabathia is going through a similar transition. Sabathia used to rear back and throw 94 mph consistently, but now he’s more finesse. Greg Maddux used to throw 84-87 mph but command, pinpoint location, pitch sequencing and movement made him a Hall of Famer. The difference is that Maddux never had 94-95, so he mastered his craft earlier in his career. For Wainwright, it’s going to take time for him to compete without swing-and-miss stuff. The good news for the Cardinals? Wainwright self-corrects better than any player I’ve ever seen. Hopefully the more starts he makes, the more efficient he becomes. We’re going to have to be patient, though. It’s going to take time.
- As I watch the San Francisco Giants fall apart, the more admiration…
…I have for what the New England Patriots have accomplished. Since 2010, no baseball team has had as much success than the Giants, with three World Series titles and a playoff appearance in 2016. They’ve been a disaster to start the year, however. They’re in last-place in the NL West as injuries continue to ransack their roster, the more evident it is 2017 will be a lost year in San Francisco. More than just a one year swoon, we could also be witnessing the beginning of the end for what has been a great ride for the Giants. In other words, their championship window is closing fast. As for the Patriots? Their window remains forever open. Under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, the Patriots have never had to rebuild. They lost Brady for 15 games in 2008 and still won 11 games. That 2008 season, by the way, was one of only two (2002) years that the Patriots didn’t make the playoffs since 2001. You just don’t see that time of consistency in professional sports. It’s insane. Nauseating, but insane.
- I have no problem with a Cavs vs. Warriors Part III NBA Finals matchup…
…just like I didn’t mind watching Michael Jordan play for a championship every year in the 90s. It’s not about teams, it’s about storylines. Which team was next to fall to Jordan? Magic or Bird? Which team could knock off Kobe and the Lakers in the early 2000s? While the NBA playoffs might be boring now, another Cavs-Warriors rematch is the best thing for the NBA. I don’t understand why sports fans get hung up on wanting to see new teams every year. Dynasties are always more compelling than parity. Parity plays in the offseason. Dynasties win in the end. Plus, as a bonus, if it’s Warriors versus Cavs again, LeBron will once again be the underdog as he goes up against the “super team” Warriors. No other potential NBA Finals matchup produces instant drama like Cavs-Warriors.
- We went 37 years between Triple Crown winners in horse racing but…
…I wouldn’t be shocked if we saw the feat accomplished twice in the last three years. I bet on Always Dreaming to win the Kentucky Derby in part because his run in the Florida Derby this year was one of the most visually impressive performances by any thoroughbred this year. (Now is a good time to say that yes, while I actually did bet on Always Dreaming to win, my wager was for peanuts because I chickened out.) The Triple Crown is taxing. It’s a grind. Horse racing is also much different now in terms of training and preparation than it was 30 years ago, which is why winning the Triple Crown is so difficult. There’s a reason why racing fans waited 37 years to see American Pharoah accomplish a feat that hadn’t been achieved since Affirmed did it in 1978. That said, I also don’t see a legit challenger to Always Dreaming in the Preakness. At one point, Classic Empire was favored in the Kentucky Derby and is only 3/1 to win at Pimlico in a couple of weeks. Lookin At Lee finished second in the Derby and is 10/1. There was a lot of hype around Irish War Cry heading into the Derby and he’s 12/1 to win the Preakness. Still, if he’s healthy, I like Always Dreaming to cash again on May 20. Despite a rough prep week leading up to the race, a crowded field, and a muddy track, he won at Churchill Downs by 2 ¾ lengths, which is a blowout. I won’t be surprised if he impresses again.