In describing what it’s been like to work with Willson Contreras, Cardinals veteran starter Kyle Gibson feels what the three-time All-Star backstop provides in the way they attack hitters is something that “challenges†him in a positive way but also shows the confidence in the Cardinals starting catcher.
“It’s more of having a certain pitch in my mind that whenever I put the ball in my glove, I put the pitch that I want to throw, so when I shake or when I say yes to a pitch that I don’t think I’m going to throw, I got to move it around. It kind of gets me thinking a little bit,†Gibson said Friday night after the Cardinals’ 2-1 loss in 10 innings to the Milwaukee Brewers. “So when I say challenge, it’s more just I can see that he’s confident back in there and the work that he’s done, and it’s cool to follow along with him and think along and have it work out like it did.â€
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With Contreras as his batterymate Friday night against the Brewers, Gibson provided six innings and allowed one run on three hits in a 2-1 extra-innings loss. Gibson struck out three batters and walked a season-high four on 89 pitches. The only run Gibson allowed came in the third inning on a two-out double from Brewers catcher William Contreras that plated center fielder Blake Perkins.
“He just gets me thinking about the report that we’ve gone over, and he’s done a really good job of kind of zigging at the right times, and tonight was a couple of those at-bats, where I’m thinking along with him and maybe some of that is learning my lesson from the last (time) shaking him off,†Gibson said. “But just thinking along with him was a lot of fun today.â€
Across three starts together with Contreras behind the plate, Gibson has a 3.32 ERA in 19 innings. Three of the seven runs he’s allowed stem from miscommunication in the duo’s outing before Friday.
In an April 13 road start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, PitchCom issues in getting on the same page with what pitch to deliver ended with Gibson giving up a three-run home run to Arizona’s Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in a 4-2 Cardinals loss.
But on Friday, as Gibson worked through some mechanical issues in his delivery, the two worked out of potential damage in the fourth inning when Gibson induced an inning-ending groundout by designated hitter Gary Sanchez on a 1-2 sinker after the Brewers had runners on first and second following a pair of walks.
They escaped another potential threat an inning later when Gibson got a swinging strikeout against the hot-hitting William Contreras, Willson’s younger brother, on a sinker with a runner on first base. The duo’s outing was bookended with a scoreless sixth inning during which the duo got first baseman Rhys Hoskins to pop out and second baseman Brice Truan to ground out and leave shortstop Willy Adames stranded on second base.
“I don’t want to get into any of the at-bats, I’ll let you guys kind of look at it, but just certain at-bats where I’ve got a certain pitch in mind and I can tell with his confidence the pitch that he calls and where he wants it,†Gibson said. “And tonight, it worked out every time.â€
Carlson eyeing on-field batting practice
When asked by a reporter if there is “light at the end of the tunnel†in his progress from a left shoulder injury that has delayed the start of his season, Dylan Carlson did as one would do to not cast any jinxes on oneself.
“I mean, obviously,†said Carlson, who turned around and knocked on the wooden side panel of his locker, “with rehab you take it day by day. Honestly, sometimes hour by hour, but at this point it’s been feeling good and I’m pretty eager to hopefully get back out there.â€
Carlson said his pregame work Saturday included playing catch from 120 feet, shagging fly balls in the outfield, and taking batting practice off a coach, which included swings from both sides of the plate. Carlson described himself as “getting closer†and “feeling pretty good†amid his progression.
The next step forward for Carlson may come Tuesday when he hopes to take on-field batting practice for the first time since he suffered the shoulder injury in the second-to-last game of spring training.
“Nothing set in stone. … That’s kind of the next goal I guess we’re looking forward to,†Carlson said of the Tuesday plans.
Carpenter continues taking swings
Infielder Matt Carpenter took on-field batting practice for the second consecutive day as he continues to rehab from a right oblique strain. Carpenter’s batting practice work Friday marked his first on-field session since he was sidelined in early April. On Saturday, Carpenter said he felt a “bit of soreness†that may have been “normal†following Friday’s pregame work.
“Just hitting the progression,†Carpenter said. “Trying to build upon each day. Still not quite there yet, but it’s getting better.â€