@ Tigers, March 17
Game Time: 12:05 p.m. CDT
Location: Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, FL
Broadcast: FS-N, MLB Network (delay), MLB.tv, WXYT (radio)
On Saturday, the St. Louis Cardinals head out to Lakeland, FL, to take on a Detroit Tigers team rich in first baseman. With freshly-signed 1B Prince Fielder and recently-converted 3B Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers boast two of the best two sluggers in the league.
But the Tigers do not just have some hefty bats, they also have reigning Cy Young winner SP Justin Verlander (9.2 IP and 0.93 ERA this Spring) anchoring their rotation. The Cardinals hope to have their own ace back soon, as SP Chris Carpenter returned to the mound for some practice and hopes to be in Grapefruit League action soon.
Vs. Marlins, March 18
Game Time: 12:05 p.m. CDT
Location: Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, FL
Broadcast: WAXY (radio), WAQI (radio)
On Friday, the Cardinals abused Miami Marlins free-agent acquisition SP Mark Buehrle for 5 ER in just 2.1 innings. Buehrle, one of the Marlins' big free agent signings this offseason, gave up 6 hits to the Cardinals, including Matt Holliday's first homer of the preseason and Lance Berkman's first double.
The Cardinals are still waiting on their own free agent splash, OF Carlos Beltran, to find his rhythm. In 18 spring at bats, Beltran has only 4 singles to his credit -- no walks, no doubles, no triples and no homers. Beltran hit an impressive .300/.385/.525 slash in 2011, and should help anchor an offense missing 1B Albert Pujols for the first time in a decade.
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