Today’s Lineup: Varsho Plays Center Field

The Jays face a lefty starter today, and John has changed the lineup some.

• Kiermaier is out, and Daulton Varsho moves over to center.
• Alejandro Kirk DH, Danny Jansen catches.
• Whit Merrifield plays left.
• Santiago Espinal plays second.

The interesting thing is that Varsho is still in the cleanup spot. I’m not sure if it is a thing that John wants to keep the top four in the same order every day. Or, maybe, he’s not sure that Kirk got enough at-bats this spring and wants to let work out his timing in a (slightly) lesser spot.

I’d be ok with moving Espinal higher against lefties. And maybe Jansen will show he deserves to hit higher as the second goes on. But then I get too worried about batting orders. Moving a guy a spot or two doesn’t change much.

Jordan Montgomery came to the Cards from the Yankees. He’s faced the Jays 10 times, 9 starts, and has a 3-1 record and a 3.86 ERA against our Jays.

Chris Bassitt has made three starts against St. Louis, with a 1-0 record and a 4.02 ERA.