Why Do The Cards Torture Fans With Jake Westbrook?

Aug 16, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jake Westbrook (35) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

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Early in the 2013 baseball season, Jake Westbrook looked like a bona fide ace. Jake Westbrook was 2-1 with a 1.62 ERA. Then Jake Westbrook was injured and put on the disabled list. Since that time, Westbrook has struggled to be a dominate pitcher. His ERA has ballooned to 4.11 and in the last 4 starts, he has surrendered 24 earned runs . That’s right, 24 earned runs.

Do the Cardinals management love to torture Cardinals fans?

There is absolutely no reason to be playing Jake Westbrook yet he stays in the starting rotation. His major league career is over. He is 35 years old in his final year of his contract. Very few, if any major league team is interested in Jake Westbrook after this season. The Cardinals just need to cut their losses. Pull Jake Westbrook out of the starting lineup and send him to the bullpen.

Michael Wacha needs to be the starter. He has better potential as a pitcher and he is younger. Forget the arbitration timetable, you are in the middle of a playoff race. The Cardinals are now tied with the Cincinnatti Reds for second place and if the Reds win their 6th straight tonight, the Cardinals will be in 3rd place in the NL Central and in the second Wild Card spot. The Arizona Diamondbacks are only 6 games back of the second Wild Card spot and that is not an insurmountable lead. The Cardinals can’t have a guaranteed loss going to the mound every 5th day in Jake Westbrook. That’s how you play yourself right out of the playoffs.

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