LOS ANGELES — With two left-handed bats and better mathematical matchups still available off the bench – either of whom could change Saturday’s one-run game with one swing – manager Oliver Marmol made one of his most revealing decisions yet for a Cardinals club reeling through a historically awful start.
Other than the losing and a lot of it, the developing theme of the Cardinals’ road trip has become creating opportunity that improves results.
Hours before Saturday’s game, Marmol described how a reorganized outfield would allow him to get Dylan Carlson additional opportunities. Minutes after a 1-0 loss to the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, he explained why he felt compelled in the ninth inning by Carlson’s strong game to give him that opportunity despite two statistically more powerful options.