As the scribes like to say when they have no idea what the hell’s going on, “story developing”…

LF – Holliday 5 games, Craig 1
CF – Beltran 2 games, Jay (or someone else) 4
RF – Beltran 3 games, Craig 3

Give Craig a start at 1st to give Berkman a break once a week, and Craig is playing 5 games a week. Gives everyone a little break and doesn’t leave any major holes in your lineup, the way they are all hitting.

As long as Jay is able, he’s the everyday CF and I suspect that will stay the case when he returns from the DL.

AC will get plenty of AB’s if he remains upright – the odds of Berkman, Beltran and Holliday remaining healthy together over the entire remainder of the year aren’t exactly high.

As for the OF situation, while Jay is younger and perhaps more nimble than a 35-year=old Carlos Beltran – CB still has wheels enough to move back to CF where he spent the bulk of his career. Then Craig goes to RF. Which is a likely scenario that Matheny had described in the Spring – especially if MM deemed it necessary to have Craig’s bat in the lineup.

It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out, especially over the net 5 games on the coast when the Cards are staring straight down the barrell of Bumgarner tonight. Matt Cain tomorrow, Ted Lilly Friday, Clayton Kershaw Saturday and Billingsley Sunday.

Yikes.

No doubt Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran are Starting Outfielders. But even before Craig’s tear, who really believes John Jay is better than Allen Craig? And even if for some reason Matheny chooses to go with John Jay in the OF over Craig – no one can claim that Descalso or Schumaker have seized control of the 2B job – let alone deserve to start their over Craig – who’s bat is clearly superior.