The 2013 National League champions had their first game at the beginning of April. After a rocky start against our rivals, the Cincinnati Reds, the Cardinals have been shaky through the next several weeks.

Individual, players are playing well; improving batting averages, hitting homers and hustling during every play. Unfortunately, as a team, they are failing to put runs on the board.

The past two nights against the 1st place Brewers, the Cardinals gained an early three point lead, only to allow the Brewers to tie it up towards the end of the game. Both games have resulted in extra innings and both games have ended in losses.

During the series opener on Monday, April 28, Randal Grichuk was promoted from the triple A’s in place of Kolten Wong. Grichuk made his Major League appearance during the late innings of the tied game on Monday and started in center field the next day.

The question rolling through everyone’s mind has to be, why bring in another center fielder when we have Jon Jay, a Cardinals veteran, and Peter Bourjos, who was the outfielder and a top prospect? Well, the Cardinals are in desperate need of offense.

Grickuk was brought up in hopes to spark that struggling offense. Bat connections in key points of the game have truly been killing the Cardinal’s ability to rally runs on pull ahead on the score board.

They can’t always rely on a 3-run #YADIBOMB every inning.

Hopefully the changing out of players has sparked a fire in some of the guys who may be on the edge of the fence.

Today’s lineup for the 12:45 game against the Brewers is as follows:

Carpenter – 3rd Base

Jon Jay – Center Field

Holliday – Left Field

Adams – First Base

Craig – Right Field

Peralta – short Stop

Garcia – Second Base

Cruz – Catcher

Miller – Starting Pitcher