Yes. Doesn't mean Smith had a "solid hit" like you said. I happen to think getting the ball on the ground on the general side of the field where the fielder is vacating against a MLB hitter is a really good piece of hitting and doesn't fall in the "cheap hit" category. A fair bit has to go right for a hitter even if that's what they are trying to do; you can't just make it happen, circumstances have to co-operate. It's not a garbage hit, but it is still in large part a result of good fortune.
He's a slow starter, and what we've seen thus far is pretty much what I expected but hoped not to see. But he's taking walks, not really striking out as much as it might seem, and playing stellar defense. I'm not concerned.
Except for 100 other days. nah Well, maybe 20 other days because horsefeathers April/Early May in Chicago. Anyone who calls Wrigley a band box needs to be shown some of these highlights.
Cards about to go to 1-8 versus teams over .500, with a pretty brutal run differential in those games. The pitching will probably get better, but the offense is a pretty safe bet to get markedly worse. I really wouldn't be least bit surprised to see them finish on an island in third place.