Sod Poodles Home Opener is Tonight Against the Springfield Cardinals

Baseball is back in the 806! The Sod Poodles begin a 6 game series against the Springfield Cardinals tonight at 7:05! Springfield comes in after taking ⅔ from the Wichita Wind Surge, and are populated by 7 of St. Louis’ top 30 Prospects (MLB Pipeline). Let’s take a look at tonight’s pitching matchup, as well as a name to watch in the Springfield lineup tonight.

Tonight's Pitching Matchup

Pete Hansen - Left Handed Pitcher

The former third round pick out of the University of Texas in 2022 will make his first start in his home state since pitching in Austin for the Longhorns on Tuesday night. Hansen brings a fastball, curveball, changeup, and a good slider to the mix. The lefty spent all of last year in High-A Peoria with the Chiefs posting a 3.86 ERA, in 128.1 IP, 134 K, 41 BB and a 3.56 FIP.

Roman Angelo - Right Handed Pitcher

Like Hansen, the #26 Prospect in the Diamondbacks system will make his Double-A debut on Tuesday night. Undrafted out of Fresno State, Angelo’s arsenal includes a fastball, slider, and a changeup mix that resulted in 151 K and 50 BB in 2024 between Single-A Visalia and High-A Peoria. As a whole the right hander Angelo put up a 3.49 ERA, in 121.1 IP, and a 3.60 FIP in his first professional season last year.

A Name to Watch:

JJ Wetherholt

A Golden Spikes semi-finalist in 2023, Wetherholt made his professional debut in 2024 after St. Louis made him their first top ten pick since 1998 at #7. The West Virginia shortstop put up a .295/.405/.400 slash line in his first 29 games as a pro. Wetherholt possesses a great eye that drew a 15/16 strikeout to walk ratio in those games. The shortstop didn’t use his speed alot on the basepaths, only swiping two bags, and it makes you wonder if a hamstring strain that he strained early in 2024 still nagged him after stealing 36 bases in 2023. The Cardinal’s have high hopes for Wetherholt and he posses a lot of the skills to be a really solid ballplayer for the organization, despite starting the season hitless for Springfield so far.

Amarillo will look to even up their record tonight at Hodgetown in the first of a six game series! Don't forget to join us in the morning for "Soddies by Morning", to get tonight's game recap and tomorrow's preview!