JUPITER, Fla. — How does the opening-day starter look?
Mostly blurry, from 250 yards away.
The black bird perched high in a palm tree behind Roger Dean Stadium backfield No. 1 had a better view of Jack Flaherty’s five-inning, 83-pitch start in an all-Cardinals simulated game Tuesday, and it would not stop crowing about it.
The only opponents back here were teammates. The few fans who stopped by watched for just a moment or two, moving on after they realized their long-distance view of the mound was obstructed by a portable toilet.
No cheers or jeers could be heard.