Brendan Marks, Fri, 22 May 2015 12:56:00 GMT

Joe Strauss popped in on The Ryan Kelley Morning After Friday to talk some Cardinals topics, including Jaime Garcia’s 2015 debut and the recent performances of Randal Grichuk.

What did you think of Jaime Garcia’s debut?

It was a very positive outing. If they’re looking for someone to get them at least until the middle to late June, they might have found something.

Does Garcia’s mentality seem different this time around?

I’ve been around Jaime, I’m at the point I’m letting his performances speak for themselves. He’s going to say what’s most politically correct. He gave his team a chance to win, I don’t see how much more he could’ve done. The issue for me is how he handles going from start to start and how he bounces back. But he went seven innings. They just need some stability. This last turn through the rotation has been good. It’s taken some stress off the bullpen.

With Randal Grichuk’s recent performances, will the Cardinals find a way to get him in the line-up everyday?

I think it becomes a time share to a degree. If nothing else, at least you gives you a better bench. I think we’re talking about how the Cardinals have endured the close games, their bench is a big reason for that. I like what we’re seeing from Grichuk.

On where the Cardinals are right now:

I think they’re in a pretty good place. I don’t think the depth on the 40-man is what they’d like. If they can remain as whole as they are now, I think they’re fine. People are just a bit squeamish on what happens if the next shoe drops.

On Jason Heyward’s performance:

I think his strength is versatility and being able to hit wherever in the line-up. He’s getting more hits as of late and I just think the early dynamic is people are paying more attention to when things are going wrong than right. He’s trending in the right direction.

Download: Joe Strauss on The Morning After