Cardinals manager Mike Matheny signs the lineup card and has the final say on the starters. President of baseball ops John Mozeliak and general manager Michael Girsch surely provide input every so often. Make no mistake about it, though, in many ways the players write themselves in and out of the lineup with their play.
For as long as the game has been played, managers have offered a version of that line. It’s somewhat true.
Bader, who was one for three in the 4-2 loss to the Padres, is easily one of the Cardinals’ best three outfielders this season.