La Russa - Focus is off spring wins

JUPITER, Fla. -- As the Cardinals prepare for their exhibition opener against the New York Mets today, manager Tony La Russa said the emphasis during the spring season isn't always about winning.

"Nobody wants to have a bad spring," La Russa said Wednesday. "But there is no formula or correlation between winning in the spring and what you do during the regular season."

La Russa noted that while the Florida Marlins had a great spring in 1997 and went on to win the World Series, the Atlanta Braves have won 11 straight division titles despite mixed results in spring games.

"Sure, you might be able to win four or five more games in the spring, but that goes against giving guys the opportunity to play and show us what they can do," La Russa said.

La Russa hasn't determined the batting order for the spring opener in Port St. Lucie, Fla., but the lineup will include five probable regular-season starters: catcher Mike Matheny, first baseman Tino Martinez, second baseman Fernando Vina, left fielder Albert Pujols and center fielder Jim Edmonds. Backup infielder Miguel Cairo will start at third base, though Scott Rolen is expected to enter the game later. Kerry Robinson or Orlando Palmeiro will start in right field. Wilson Delgado will start at shortstop, with Edgar Renteria expected to play later in the game.

Garrett Stephenson and Brett Tomko will both pitch for St. Louis, throwing no more than 50 pitches each. Pedro Astacio and Al Leiter will pitch for New York.

Noteworthy

The Cardinals played the second half of a two-day intrasquad game Wednesday, with Matheny driving in the only run in seven innings with a sacrifice fly. Renteria was the only player with more than one hit off pitching coaches Mark Riggins and Dyar Miller. Renteria had a double and a single.

La Russa confirmed that outfielder J.D. Drew is not yet available to play, following offseason knee surgery. "He can't run so he couldn't pinch-hit or anything," La Russa said. "We are trying to give him enough work to stay in shape and he's doing all right, no setbacks." The knee bothered Drew all of last season, when he hit just .252 in 135 games. He arrived in camp three days early and has been taking batting practice on a regular basis.

The Cardinals, hoping to give all 33 pitchers in camp ample opportunity, have added two B games, with the Marlins on Saturday and the Dodgers on Tuesday, both at Jupiter. Additional B games may be added later.