ST. LOUIS -- It only took a quick glance around Busch Stadium early Thursday to see why this qualified as a big start for Luke Weaver. Alex Reyes galloped in from the bullpen under the high afternoon sky, giddy at the thought of returning by month's end. Jack Flaherty trailed him, back in the big leagues and intent on staying. Soon after, club officials drove home their hope that Carlos Martinez's disabled list stint would be a short one.
Through the lens of all these moving parts, one could reasonably view Weaver's start as something of an audition.