ST. LOUIS — After a wacky 3-1, 18-inning loss to the New York Mets on Sunday in Busch Stadium, St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny wouldn’t commit to the idea of moving starter Michael Wacha up 24 hours to open an interleague series Tuesday night at the Chicago White Sox.
However, there doesn’t appear to be a palatable Plan B. The scheduled starter, Carlos Martinez, worked the last four innings in relief Sunday and took the loss. No way he comes back to start on one day of rest.
What’s more, Wacha hasn’t pitched since July 8, so he is well-rested. And Monday’s off day would allow the team to move Lance Lynn into the Wednesday night start on normal rest.
The team has worked to find ways to save innings for its young right-handers, Wacha and Lynn. It is why the Cardinals placed them fourth and fifth in the rotation after the All-Star break, giving them nearly two weeks between outings.
Privately, officials in the St. Louis organization were thrilled when National League manager Bruce Bochy opted not to use Martinez or Wacha in Cincinnati on Tuesday night, gifting the duo extra rest before what figures to be a strenuous late-season push for a third straight NL Central title.
Moving Wacha up 24 hours shouldn’t really be a big deal in the grand scheme. In fact, it is the only deal the Cardinals logically can make.