PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — It’s common practice during spring training for relievers to know before the game’s first pitch which inning they will be asked to handle.
Schedules rule spring. Making sure every arm gets the proper amount of work is the biggest key. Sharing the planning with the players is routine.
If there’s a twist in the status quo, it’s likely for a reason.
Wednesday featured one.
The Cardinals bussed to face Justin Verlander’s Mets at Clover Park knowing who was scheduled to pitch in the Grapefruit League exhibition but not in which order after left-handed starter Connor Thomas.