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Oscar Taveras did not start on Tuesday night. I went on a slight rant/screed/whatever you want to call it on twitter. Here's what happened:
Sometime early in the day on Tuesday, I got to thinking about Oscar Taveras as I sometimes do. I took a look at his Game Log over at Fangraphs, and I discovered something.
Oscar Taveras started the 1st 4 games after his recall, then just 6 of 12. In the 3 starts he went hitless, he was benched the next day.
— Craig Edwards (@craigjedwards) July 21, 2014
Later on, I found out Oscar Taveras was not starting. I thought a little about Tony La Russa and how he seemed to not get along with Colby Rasmus, and then I discovered something else.
Remember how much LaRussa hated Rasmus? Got 520 PAs in 2009 despite hitting .229 and wRC+ of 84 the first two months of the season.
— Craig Edwards (@craigjedwards) July 22, 2014
LaRussa disliked Rasmus' talent so much he gave him enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title despite struggling to start his career. Then I went back to thinking about Oscar Taveras like I said I like to do, and wondered about his playing time in relation to Allen Craig.
Since starting the 1st 4 games after recall, Oscar Taveras has gotten 5 starts (2 of last 7) to Craig's 9. Craig is hitting .167/.219/.300.
— Craig Edwards (@craigjedwards) July 22, 2014
After that I was just upset.
Really, Mike? Like the guy with the $2,000 bow tie really needs to tell you to play Oscar Taveras over Allen Craig? Come on.
— Craig Edwards (@craigjedwards) July 22, 2014
/Nailed It!
Remember that time Matheny started playing top prospect Kolten Wong everyday and he started hitting really well. That is a thing that works.
— Craig Edwards (@craigjedwards) July 22, 2014
And then Matheny talked.
Yes you are and you're lucky Mo doesn't hold you to the same standards RT @chrabe Matheny: "we're not here in the development business."
— Craig Edwards (@craigjedwards) July 22, 2014
So how were the Cardinals doing with Taveras?
Not implying correlation because that would be ridiculous, but the Cardinals have won seven of the last nine games Oscar Taveras has started
— Craig Edwards (@craigjedwards) July 22, 2014
But Taveras was struggling in those games, though?
@drewsilv Cards won 7 of last 9 Oscar starts. He either had a run, RBI or multi-hit game in six of the seven wins.
— Craig Edwards (@craigjedwards) July 22, 2014
Then Taveras got a hit in his lone at bat and John Mozeliak clarified things the next day, and I responded just as calmly as I had the day before.
You imagine? Too bad Cards aren't in the imagination business. MT @chrabe Mo on Taveras: I imagine you'll start to see that bat come around
— Craig Edwards (@craigjedwards) July 23, 2014
So that's the end of that. Feel free to talk about Oscar Taveras or whatever is on your mind in the comments.