The topic comes up every day: Who will be the Cardinals' fifth starter. I don't have a vote, but if I did, Joe Kelly would be my selection.

That may be how Mike Matheny is leaning, too, although the cautious and underspoken second-year manager isn't showing his hand. It just seems that Shelby Miller, Kelly's competition who just happens to be his best friend, would greatly benefit from a full season at Class AAA Memphis.

The baseball activities for Friday are over, but the topic is certain to surface again Saturday when we arrive bright and early at the Roger Dean Stadium complex.

The most noteworthy news from Friday was Matheny's announcement that Adam Wainwright will start on Opening Day on April 1 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

No surprise, really. Wainwright appreciates the honor and seemed ready to forego his final two spring starts. He's ready for real games to begin.

Wainwright had no difficulty taming a Washington Nationals lineup Friday that was missing Bryce Harper, Adam LaRoche, Danny Espinosa, Ian Desmond, Ryan Zimmerman, Denard Span and Jayson Werth.

Oh, the fun of spring-training games. By the time the starters are replaced by minor-leaguers in the fifth or sixth inning, it's time to quit keeping score.

The weather? Stunning. A sunny sky and a crisp 69 degrees at game time. The food? Equally delightful. Thursday night, we landed at Duffy's Sports Grill in Palm Beach Gardens.

This place is huge, with TVs everywhere and an atmosphere that appeals to people of all ages. There were plenty of seafood options, but baby-back ribs were my choice and they certainly didn't disappoint.

--David Wilhelm