Spring training is finally here and we’re just a few days away from the start of Grapefruit and Cactus League play.
Games will start on Friday.
The St. Louis Cardinals’ first game will take place on Saturday against the Washington Nationals.
This is a team that is coming into the year with several question marks.
Several Cardinals stars will be taking part in the World Baseball Classic, and others will be trying to bounce back from difficult 2022 seasons.
Either way, the team is focused and ready to go for 2023.
On Twitter, Cardinals writer John Denton posted a video of Jack Flaherty and Nolan Arenado squaring off in practice.
Here’s a short clip of #STLCards RHP Jack Flaherty ending his 40-pitch live BP session vs. Nolan Arenado. As they call it in football when the first team offense faces the first team defense, it’s “good vs. good.” pic.twitter.com/GPVYR2e3sG
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) February 22, 2023
Arenado appears to be taking some good swings against Flaherty in this brief video.
However, Flaherty appears to be healthy again and ready to help lead the Cardinals back to the postseason.
He missed most of the 2022 season recovering from arm injuries, but enjoyed a strong return in the month of September.
Arenado finished third in the voting for the NL MVP Award.
Paul Goldschmidt won the award after a dominant season.
But as the 2023 season approaches, Arenado is looking to build off his success in 2022 and take home an MVP Award himself, while Flaherty is looking to prove that he can remain healthy and return to his ace form from the 2021 season before the injuries began to mount.
The Cardinals have three solid power hitters in their lineup with Arenado, Goldschmidt, and the newly-signed Willson Contreras.
That appears to be a strength heading into 2023.
Starting pitching is a question mark, but if Flaherty is healthy, the Cardinals have a chance to be a serious threat for an NL pennant.
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Video Shows Adam Wainwright Preparing For His First Spring Start
