ST. LOUIS -- Seeking to avoid the midseason shutdowns that interrupted Michael Wacha's 2014 and '16 seasons, the Cardinals have decided to skip him on this turn through the rotation to build in extra rest.
Instead of pitching Saturday against the Cubs, Wacha will start during the team's midweek series against the Red Sox. The Cardinals had the flexibility to manipulate the rotation due to the team having four off-days in a 12-day stretch.
The rotation reordering means that Carlos Martinez (Saturday) and Adam Wainwright (Sunday) will start this weekend.
"It's always been something that we thought was important, to try to bake in some rest, and at the quarter turn, I just think it makes sense to do that," general manager John Mozeliak said before Friday night's series opener.