On Tuesday’s edition of The Bernie Show on Sports Hub STL, Bernie dove into manager Oli Marmol’s unexpected lineup decisions, describing them as surprising and indicative of a major shift in approach. The biggest shock came with Masyn Winn’s removal from the leadoff spot, a role that instead went to Lars Nootbaar. Bernie expressed astonishment at this change, given Marmol’s previously unwavering support of Wynn as the team’s primary leadoff hitter. Despite Winn’s struggles in that role last season—including a .276 on-base percentage, one of the worst in franchise history—Marmol had seemed committed to giving him another shot.
Bernie endorsed the decision, citing Nootbaar’s strong on-base skills, high walk rate, and surprising effectiveness against left-handed pitching. In 2023, Nootbaar posted a .362 on-base percentage as a leadoff hitter, along with solid power numbers, making him a much more reliable option. Bernie dismissed concerns about stolen bases, emphasizing that modern baseball values high on-base percentages over speed in the leadoff role.
Another major talking point was the decision to start Alec Burleson at designated hitter over Nolan Gorman. Bernie questioned whether this choice reflected a deviation from John Mozeliak’s offseason focus on maximizing Gorman’s plate appearances. While acknowledging Gorman’s struggles during spring training, Bernie speculated that the move might indicate a philosophical shift in how the Cardinals plan to manage their young talent this season. He pointed out that Mozeliak had repeatedly emphasized the goal of getting Gorman at least 550 plate appearances in 2024, yet Marmol opted for Burleson, who had a strong spring slugging-wise and excelled against right-handed pitching.
Bernie suggested that Marmol is effectively auditioning for his future. He coined the phrase "Marmol on the loose" to describe the manager’s unpredictable approach, questioning whether he would prioritize winning each game outright or adhere to the organization’s youth movement strategy. Bernie urged listeners to brace themselves for what could be a fascinating and unpredictable year for the Cardinals.
Bernie supports manager Oli Marmol’s decision to structure the lineup with high on-base hitters—Nootbaar, Willson Contreras, and Brendan Donovan—at the top. He also praises the speed and offensive potential of Winn and Victor Scott at the bottom of the order, arguing that they could act as a "double leadoff" by setting up scoring opportunities for the top of the lineup.
Bernie then questions how committed the Cardinals really are to sticking with young players like Gorman and Jordan Walker if they struggle early in the season. He doubts the organization’s consistency, pointing out their history of changing plans and contradicting previous statements. While he doesn’t expect Walker or Gorman to be demoted, he wouldn’t be shocked if the team pivoted on their supposed long-term commitment.