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St. Louis Cardinals make right decision to wait with Yadier Molina

By David Hill

ST LOUIS, MO - APRIL 08: Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals walks off the field after the seventh inning of the home opener against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium on April 8, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - APRIL 08: Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals walks off the field after the seventh inning of the home opener against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium on April 8, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images) /
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Yadier Molina is on the precipice of history. The next time he starts behind the plate, he will make his 2000th start as a catcher, an impressive feat that few have reached. Molina has already cemented his place as one of the better catchers in baseball history, a St. Louis Cardinals icon who may find himself in Cooperstown once his career comes to an end.

As Andrew Knizner received the start on Tuesday night, the Cardinals have made certain that Molina’s 2000th game will have another familiar face. He will catch another St. Louis icon as Adam Wainwright is scheduled to get the start on Wednesday.

St. Louis Cardinals get it right with Yadier Molina’s milestone

Knizner receiving that start on Tuesday certainly makes it appear that the Cardinals pushed Molina back for the sake of nostalgia. However, with a day game on Wednesday, the Cardinals were going to need to rest Molina for one of those days anyway. Why not set it up so that he can reach that milestone with Wainwright on the mound?

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It was not a given that this battery would have the chance to be part of this historic event. Both Molina and Wainwright were free agents this past offseason, and it was not a given that they would return to St. Louis. While there was mutual interest on both sides, as the offseason dragged on, that reunion became more questionable.

Fortunately, Molina and Wainwright were able to return to St. Louis, continuing their connection as the longest running battery in baseball. This is where they should be, wearing the Cardinals uniform as they make history together.

Molina has also been a pleasant surprise in the early going for St. Louis. He has been their best hitter in the early going, posting a .353/.410/.588 batting line with two homers and two doubles in his 39 plate appearances. As the Cardinals have struggled in the early going, his return has made a tremendous difference to the lineup.

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Yadier Molina is set to make history with the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. It is fitting that Adam Wainwright will be on the mound when he does.

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