3 Cardinals MVP candidates, and 1 player who should be benched

Cardinals player who should be benched: Jordan Hicks

Sure, Jordan Hicks isn’t in the everyday lineup, but if there is a player who has proven he can’t handle high-stress situations to begin the season, it’s Jordan Hicks.

Cards fans have become routinely frustrated with Oli Marmol’s bullpen management, and namely the fact that he keeps using Hicks in these moments. To fix Hicks, it makes more sense to pull back the reins and allow him to find himself earlier in games, or perhaps when the score is more lopsided. Marmol has listened, and will make that alteration in the weeks to come.

FanSided’s Josh Wilson explained what St. Louis’ intentions are with Hicks moving forward:

"“Oli Marmol told team reporter John Denton that they plan to use Hicks in low-leverage situations moving forward to help him regain his form. One can assume that’s also to get him some confidence back as well. Denton went on to explain that the team is limited on how they can refocus him, minor league spots are not an option due to his service time. Though at this point, perhaps some humility from Hicks in accepting such an opportunity would be helpful.”"

Clearly, Hicks is a talented pitcher, but he’s working through something right now. Hopefully it’s nothing, but the Cardinals cannot afford to take any more losses because Hicks isn’t ready.

Every game counts the same, even this early in the regular season.