Jon Jay Hits at Number 2 Spot

Manager Mike Matheny restored the Cardinals' batting order to a more customary look — at the top, at least — for tonight's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium.

Rafael Furcal returns to the leadoff spot after a day off Sunday, and Jon Jay jumps back into the No. 2 hole after his four-hit game Sunday in a 7-0 victory over the Cubs.

Third baseman David Freese (.305, 14 homers, 55 RBIs) and first baseman-outfielder Allen Craig (.304, 14, 47) are not in tonight's lineup. Looking at that another way: the Cardinals enter the game with a hot-hitting bench duo. Freese is batting .414 (12 for 29) in his last 10 games and Craig is hitting .333 (13 for 39).

Another reason it might be wise to have Freese sit:  He's 0 for 6 — all strikeouts — in his career vs. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley.

"It's not a real good matchup for him," said Matheny. "Sometimes you just struggle with certain guys, so when we see those coming, we stay away from them."


(stltoday.com)