PLAYING TIME: How do Cards fit returning Berkman into lineup?
Jul 13 2012
NATIONAL LEAGUE
With Berkman's return, how do all the bats fit?
With Lance Berkman (1B/OF, STL) set to return to action on STL's current road trip, possibly as soon as Saturday, the corner positions are crowded with worthy bats. The PT shakeout here could be determined by manager Mike Matheny's weighing of offense vs. defense, and his willingness to deploy various players at positions where potential injury risk is heightened.
Allen Craig (1B/OF, STL) has played regularly in Berkman's absence, becoming the primary 1B when all other regulars have been healthy. Craig's production has been substantial, with his .993 OPS exceeding even Berkman's 2011 bounceback .988 OPS, which ranks as the third-highest OPS of the veteran's...
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