![\"Cardinals\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/01m0zm0cy6g50wpks3q7.jpg\" "\\"Cardinals\\"")
<\/p>\nThe St. Louis Cardinals were completely embarrassed on Tuesday night by the Baltimore Orioles, falling 13-1 in front of a light crowd at Busch Stadium. The stark difference in the scores for both teams prompted the Cardinals to make some drastic changes on the field.<\/p>\n
With the bullpen running on fumes, the Cardinals put backup catcher Pedro Pages in to pitch the top of the ninth inning. It was his second pitching appearance in the last four days, but that wasn’t the only thing St. Louis did differently. They also moved Ivan Herrera to first base for the final innings and put Jimmy Crooks behind the plate.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the Cardinals have found a new way to expand Herrera’s arsenal as a player.<\/p>\n
Cardinals could expand Ivan Herrera’s arsenal<\/p>\n
Aug 16, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Ivan Herrera (48) hits a sacrifice RBI against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
While Alec Burleson<\/a> is the starter at first base, this is something that the Cardinals could revisit at some point down the line. It’s clear that they value Herrera’s bat and want him in the lineup everyday. However, his struggles behind the plate with throwing runners out raises questions about where he could end up in the future.<\/p>\n The obvious solution is to make him the full-time designated hitter, but they could also add a little first base to his repertoire. In the future, perhaps Burleson will need a day to get off his feet. In that case, St. Louis could use him as the designated hitter and have Herrera as an option to play first, while they stick with their better defensive options in Jimmy Crooks and Pedro Pages<\/a>, and also clear the way for prospects Leonardo Bernal and Rainiel Rodriguez.<\/p>\n With Willson Contreras gone, first base was open for Burleson, but there’s also always a chance that Burleson could be used in the outfield. If that ever happens, having Herrera as a fallback option at first base would be wise. It’s certainly something that St. Louis could explore.<\/p>\n If anything though, they have at least potentially found a way to make Herrera an even more useful player. A right-handed hitting option at first base certainly can’t hurt.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
Add us as a preferred source on Google