Dodgers News: Yasiel Puig Discusses Rivalry With St. Louis Cardinals
Yasiel Puig’s first full season with the Los Angeles Dodgers was complete with peaks and valleys that are to be expected for a young player. Puig put together a career-high 16-game hitting streak and was a key factor in the Dodgers finally settling on an outfield alignment.
However, Puig’s season ended in disappointment as he found himself on the bench and only made a pinch-run appearance in Game 4 of the NLDS, which was an elimination loss for Dodgers. While he was important to the Dodgers’ success last season, Puig doesn’t have the same hardware to show for it as Adrian Gonzalez, Zack Greinke, or Clayton Kershaw.
Speaking from Los Angeles City Hall on Friday, Puig said one of his goals for 2015 was to win a Gold Glove and he also added he would like to face the St. Louis Cardinals, via Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times:
Yasiel Puig said he wants to win a Gold Glove. Also wants another shot at the Cardinals.
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) January 30, 2015
While the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants are viewed as arch rivals, Puig identified the Cardinals as the Dodgers’ main threat, according to Roberto Baly of VinScullyIsMyHomeboy.com:
Interesting quote by Yasiel Puig – "The principal rivals are the Cardinals. It's not San Francisco"
— Roberto Baly (@rbaly79) January 30, 2015
Along with his desire to win a Gold Glove, Puig said he’s focused on improving his speed, according to J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News Group:
Yasiel Puig hasn't been told where he'll hit in the lineup but said he's been concentrating on his speed this off-season to steal more bases
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) January 30, 2015
The Dodgers and Cardinals have met in the last two postseasons with the Dodgers falling to get past the reigning NL Central champions each time. Their postseason meetings have led to multiple dustups including the benches clearing in Game 1 after Puig was struck by an Adam Wainwright fastball.
The first meeting between the two teams in 2015 will come May 29 when the Dodgers travel to St. Louis for a three-game set.
