Game 43 Lineup: Freese Scratched from opener versus Padres (5/20)

The Saint Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny decided to make a late scratch after he had put together tonight's lineup for the opening game of the current three game series against the San Diego Padres as the team is set to spend the week in California as they visit the Dodgers in Los Angeles over the weekend.

Ty Wigginton got the news that he was going to be a late add on to the Red Birds lineup just minutes before the scheduled first-pitch as he will be starting at third base for the injured starter, David Freese. Freese, who still has some inflammation on his right thumb, needed a couple of stitches after the cleat of the Brewers' Norichika Aoki caught him during a run down play during Sunday afternoons' 4-2 Cardinals win.

Despite the scratch from the lineup though, the hometown hero is still avaliable to come in and play during tonights game, but that isn't very likely as his hand is still bothering him quite a bit while holding the bat and swinging, as well as him trying to throw the ball across the diamond.

Aside from Freese being out tonight though, the rest of the starting lineup that Matheny put out on the field is basically the same lineup that has carried the Cardinals to a National League best, 28-15, which includes the big production from center fielder Jon Jay. In the last 14 games, Jay has drove in 15 runs, which has a lot to do with the fact that he dropped to the sixth or seventh spot opposed to the leadoff spot in the lineup where he began the season at. Here is a quick look at the lineup for tonight against former Cardinal and now Padres' starter, Jason Marquis:

1. Matt Carpenter (Second Base)
2. Carlos Beltran (Right Field)
3. Matt Holliday (Left Field)
4. Allen Craig (First Base)
5. Yadier Molina (Catcher)
6. Jon Jay (Center Field)
7. Ty Wigginton (Third Base)
8. Pete Kozma (Short Stop)
9. Shelby Miller (Pitcher) -- 5-2 Record, 1.52 Earned Run Average