Even when you think you can just pencil in 25 homers (Marcell Ozuna) or 25 saves (Greg Holland) or even just pencil No. 25 into the lineup (Dexter Fowler), you’re only guaranteed a gamble.
Wednesday was another one of those days when baseball tugs at your emotions like the string on a change-up. Cardinal Nation nestled up to the laptop to — finally! — watch Alex Reyes pitch again for St. Louis. After 44 strikeouts in minor league stints, with just seven walks, this game was anticipated like a event, not just a getaway day in May.
We thought this start would just validate the premise that Reyes was ready to go.