VIERA, Fla. • Before the Cardinals took a 2-0 lead against the Nationals during Thursday's Grapefruit League exhibition, manager Mike Matheny described the hot-and-cold performance that has, to this point, defined Tommy Pham's career.
"It's been almost day-to-day," Matheny said. "One day, he is just red hot in the game. Same way with (batting practice). Everything is (hit) just ridiculously hard. And the next day,something is a little off."
Pham seems to be on today.
The top of the Cardinals lineup did its job against Nationals ace Max Scherzer in the first inning. Kolten Wong singled.