The adjustment from hunted to hunter is going to be harder than I anticipated.
On Friday night, the Cardinals lost the opener of a three-game set against the Nationals 5 to 4. Mike Leake, the BIG off-season acquisition for the Birds took the L (0-3) and gave up all five runs.
The Nation is growing restless. And they went to Twitter to tell him about it.
https://twitter.com/StlCardsCards/status/726221458184265729
Man. Coming into this season, I was high on Mike Leake. Now people probably just think I was high.
— Benjamin Hochman (@hochman) April 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/hecgmusic/status/726273051453710336
Here’s where it gets a bit depressing, though…
Mr. Leake might not realize it yet, but when you play for the Cardinals, moral victories aren’t going to cut it. Not when you’re chasing a team that’s currently 17-5.
Leake says the results (0-3) might not show it, but he’s getting better every time he takes the mound. #STLCardshttps://t.co/5kiORned9B
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) April 30, 2016
Management also seems to be preaching patience.
Matheny says Mike Leake is throwing the ball pretty well — certainly better than his stats indicate. #STLCardshttps://t.co/1GO4At9dtK
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) April 30, 2016
Not to get all Billy Badass over here, but Mike Leake is in his 7th MLB season and is being counted on to provide for his teammates. So far? Not so good.
Even worse it seems as if Leake and Matheny believe that they’re not already dipping at least a toe into some dangerous quicksand.
Absolutely, yes. It’s still April.
Absolutely, yes. Leake can still turn this around. Seasons aren’t made on 5 starts.
Absolutely, yes. It’s not time to panic. Yet.
Then again, the Cubs are showing no signs of slowing down. And the Pirates are heating up. These .500 months aren’t going to cut it for an NL playoff contender, no matter how much moral progress is being made.
Photo: FOX Sports
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