Oscar Taveras has started just two of the Cardinals’ last seven games and the left-handed-hitting outfield prospect is not in St. Louis’ starting lineup on Tuesday night against Rays right-hander Jake Odorizzi. Getting the nod instead is the right-handed-hitting Allen Craig. What’s the deal?
That’s a particularly funny-sounding comment from a guy who was given the reins to one of baseball’s premier franchises despite having zero managerial history. You’d think Matheny would have an intimate awareness about developing on-the-go and that experience is necessary for growth. Craig has batted just .244/.294/.357 overall this season and .237/.291/.315 against right-handers. Taveras hasn’t done much since slugging his first major league home run in his first major league game, but the supremely-talented 21-year-old Dominican was a .348/.402/.578 hitter against right-handed pitching in 918 career minor league plate appearances.
Matheny talking Taveras/Craig pregame: “We’ve got to do what we can to win today, we’re not here in the development business.”
— Chris Hrabe (@chrabe) July 22, 2014
That’s a particularly funny-sounding comment from a guy who was given the reins to one of baseball’s premier franchises despite having zero managerial history. You’d think Matheny would have an intimate awareness about developing on-the-go and that experience is necessary for growth. Craig has batted just .244/.294/.357 overall this season and .237/.291/.315 against right-handers. Taveras hasn’t done much since slugging his first major league home run in his first major league game, but the supremely-talented 21-year-old Dominican was a .348/.402/.578 hitter against right-handed pitching in 918 career minor league plate appearances.