Cardinals

Other postseason teams have not seen baseball fates converge in their clubhouse the way the Cardinals have this season.

If it weren’t for Aaron Judge, Goldschmidt would be in the spotlight for having one of the best all-around offensive seasons in the last few years, [including the third-highest on-base-plus-slugging percentage in baseball](https://www.mlb.com/stats/). Pujols erupted in the second half, rediscovering the kind of form he hadn’t shown in half a decade, blasting his way to 700 homers and beyond as the Cardinals (93-69) cruised to a division title. Louis is in the top three in almost all of them. [Only the Dodgers have played more postseason games](https://wapo-mlb.trumedianetworks.com/baseball/teams-batting-stats?f=%7B%22bgt%22%3A%5B%22playoff%22%5D%2C%22bseasonlvl%22%3A%5B%22MLB%22%5D%2C%22bsyr%22%3A%5B%222005%22%2C%222022%22%5D%7D&pc=%7B%22bsvt%22%3A%22stats%22%2C%22btgb%22%3A%22totals%22%2C%22btc%22%3A%5B%22total%22%2C%22average%22%5D%7D&t=%7B%22customReport%22%3A%7B%22selectedReportName%22%3A%22Team%2520Record%22%2C%22selectedReportId%22%3A15%7D%2C%22orderBy%22%3A%7B%22orderCols%22%3A%22G%22%2C%22sortOrder%22%3A%22DESC%22%7D%7D) in that span than St. To say I wasn’t thinking about the touchy-feely part of this — I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. [a tenth of a wins above replacement point](https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=3b&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2022&month=0&season1=2022&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2022-01-01&enddate=2022-12-31&sort=22,d) behind the Padres’ Manny Machado among all third baseman. He left the team when the Since the start of the 2005 season, only two teams — the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers — have won more regular season games than the Cardinals. So that the 41-year-old ended this season with a 7.23 ERA in his last four starts is concerning, sure. Injuries have limited promising young starters to bullpen duties in recent years, but now the Cardinals enter October with a handful of flame-throwing young pitchers piled up in their bullpen. The surprising deadline deal in which St. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves have far better records.

The winner of the Phillies-Cardinals series will meet the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series.

Acquired for rotation depth at the trade deadline, lefty Jose Quintana (6-7, 2.93 ERA) starts the opener for the Cardinals. The Cy Young runner-up last year, Wheeler missed most of September with a forearm injury but returned and gave up just one earned run in 15 innings across three starts to end the regular season. Cardinals first baseman Paul Golsdschmidt (.317 BA, 35 HR 115 RBI) and third baseman Nolan Arenado (30 HR, 103 RBI) could finish 1-2 in MVP voting this year. Louis after coming over in a trade with the Pirates. [One question for every team in the wild card round](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/10/06/mlb-playoffs-mets-cardinals-face-big-questions-wild-card-series/8187333001/) Louis (93-69) won the NL Central by going 43-25 after the All-Star break, pulling away from the Milwaukee Brewers. [Who's going to win on wild-card weekend?](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/10/07/mlb-playoffs-predictions-wild-card-picks/8196055001/) [Future Hall of Famer ready for his final postseason](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2022/10/07/albert-pujols-cardinals-mlb-playoffs/8202186001/) [WatchESPN.com](http://watchespn.com/) or [on FuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/stream/football/?irad=356362&irmp=1205322&subId1=USAT&subId2=NFL). [Albert Pujols turned back the clock](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2022/10/07/albert-pujols-cardinals-mlb-playoffs/8202186001/), ultimately becoming the fourth player in MLB history to [hit 700 home runs.](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/gabe-lacques/2022/09/24/albert-pujols-700th-home-run-history-cardinals/10412153002/) [SportsBookWire.usatoday.com](https://sportsbookwire.usatoday.com/category/mlb-odds-lines-spreads-picks-predictions/) [WatchESPN.com](http://watchespn.com/)

Here's how the roster will look as Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols suit up for the final postseason run of their illustrious careers… Right-Handed Pitchers.

[Tyler O’Neill](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=oneilty01,oneill001tyl&search=Tyler+O'Neill&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), who’s been out since mid-September owing to a hamstring strain. Regardless, it’s been a remarkable scene for Cardinals fans throughout the season, watching three beloved players reprise their halcyon days from more than a decade ago as they reunited to capture the NL Central crown. All eyes this series will be on Pujols, Molina and Wainwright — a trio of St. Molina and Pujols have already announced their intention to retire at season’s end. He’s been rehabbing and progressing toward a return, and [Daniel Guerrero](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=guerre005dan,guerre001dan&search=Daniel+Guerrero&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) of the St. Louis, and as the Cardinals hope to send at least two franchise icons off on the highest note possible, they’ve formally set their roster for their best-of-three Wild Card series against the Phillies. [Steven Matz](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matzst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) [Jordan Montgomery](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=montgjo01,montgo001jor&search=Jordan+Montgomery&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) [Packy Naughton](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/naughpa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) [Jose Quintana](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/q/quintjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(Game 1 starter) [Zack Thompson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thompza02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) [Jack Flaherty](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/flaheja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) [Giovanny Gallegos](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gallegi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) [Ryan Helsley](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/helslry01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) [Jordan Hicks](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hicksjo03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) [Miles Mikolas](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mikolmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(Game 2 starter) [Andre Pallante](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pallaan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) [Adam Wainwright](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wainwad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) [Yadier Molina](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/molinya01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) and [Albert Pujols](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) suit up for the final postseason run of their illustrious careers… [Andrew Knizner](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kniznan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) Louis Post-Dispatch [tweets](https://twitter.com/TheDanGuerrero/status/1578417748190691328) that O’Neill will actually plan in this year’s Arizona Fall League to continue rehabbing with an eye toward a hopeful return during the NLDS — assuming the Cardinals advance beyond the first round of play. The end of an era is drawing near in St.

In the American League, the Cleveland Guardians face the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays host the Seattle Mariners. In the National League, the ...

Louis as Phillies rally](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/10/07/phillies-rally-beat-cardinals-wild-card-game-1/8210345001/) To be in the playoffs is a blessing. It’s a blessing to be in the playoffs. [BOX SCORE](https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/baseball/mlb/summary/646227) [BOX SCORE](https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/baseball/mlb/summary/646229) "What he’s done at the plate – as I watch pitchers try to find his weakness as the season goes on – there’s really not one," says Toronto starter Kevin Gausman. Kirk, who has struck out just 57 times in 468 at-bats, might be the perfect playoff concoction for a Jays team with plenty of muscle and star power. “These guys have given me the joy, the thrill, of being back in the postseason. The score held on as the Guardians won 2-1. The Phillies came roaring back in the ninth inning, sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring six runs off the stingy St. Bieber, rocked in his only other playoff appearance two years ago, allowed just three hits and struck out eight before being lifted with a runner on in the eighth. Louis a 2-0 lead in the seventh inning.

Breaking down the Cardinals' recent play, key matchups and trends leading into the Phillies' first playoff game in 11 years. By Corey Seidman.

Tommy Edman, a fast and smart baserunner who was 32 for 35 in stolen bases, had been in that spot most of the year. Wheeler against a mid- to back-end starting pitcher in Quintana is a decent setup for Game 1. Rhys Hoskins has seen Quintana well, reaching base in 8 of 15 plate appearances with a homer. Donovan, a left-handed-hitting 25-year-old, was extremely valuable for the Cardinals this season and might finish third in the NL Rookie of the Year race behind Michael Harris II and Spencer Strider. But it wasn't just a cool story for Pujols, he was legitimately dangerous over the season's final two months, hitting .324 with a 1.128 OPS and 17 home runs after August 10. Arenado, who hit .293/.358/.533 with 42 doubles, 30 homers, 103 RBI and his typical amazing defense, could place in the top five of voting as well. Goldschmidt is the favorite to win NL MVP after hitting .317/.404/.578 with 41 doubles, 35 homers and 115 RBI this season. The Cards didn't play all that well over the season's final three weeks, going 6-9 in their last 15 games and scoring two runs or fewer in nine of the final 16. But this is still a very talented roster with different waves of veteran presence and playoff experience. They went 38-19 against the Reds, Pirates and Cubs, taking two of every three. Friday afternoon on ABC in the first game of a best-of-three series. Similar to the Phillies' success against the Nationals and Marlins, the Cardinals did what they needed to do to the bad teams in their division.

Which teams will be moving on to the National League Division Series next week? Our MLB writers make their picks.

Goldschmidt has had a meager .716 OPS with just two home runs since the start of September, while Arenado’s OPS is only .649 over the same span. Most concerning is his sudden susceptibility to the longball. Another thing to note, [courtesy of Cardinals beat writer Jeff Jones](https://twitter.com/jmjones/status/1578007180699115521): Wheeler has made three starts since missing a month with right forearm tendonitis, and his highest pitch count in any of those three outings was 77. Louis to drive up Wheeler’s pitch count and then jump on the Philadelphia bullpen, which had the NL’s worst relief ERA (5.10) in the second half. They lost two games to the Nationals, were swept by the Cubs and lost to both the A’s and the Pirates at least once. If they continue to play down to their competition, this series is not going to be an easy one for them to win. Meanwhile, reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper has slumped since he returned from the injured list in late August, posting a .227/.325/.352 slash line in 35 games. The Mets host a talented But Edwin Díaz available for multiple innings is the difference. The [Cardinals](https://www.si.com/mlb/team/st-louis-cardinals) are far superior on defense and baserunning, which could ultimately swing the series in their favor if the Phillies give them extra outs. Matchup: Mets vs. The [Mets](https://www.si.com/mlb/team/new-york-mets), winners of 101 games this season, still had to settle for a wild-card matchup, but unlike in previous years, the fate of their remarkable campaign won’t depend on one winner-take-all game at the start of the playoffs.

Jose Siri kicked off the postseason scoring by hitting a home run to right-center field that gave the Tampa Bay Rays a 1-0 lead over the Cleveland Guardians.

Mets](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/nl-wild-card-game-1-san-diego-padres-vs-new-york-mets-oct-07-2022-game-boxscore-85155) (Game 1 at 8:07 p.m. [José Ramírez](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/jose-ramirez-player) crushed a two-run homer to give Guardians a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the sixth inning. [Alec Bohm](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/alec-bohm-player) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, allowing [J.T. Louis Cardinals](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals-team), 6-3, in the afternoon's first NL wild-card game. [The San Diego Padres are essentially a fantasy team. Realmuto](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/jacob-realmuto-player) to score and bring Philly within one. Is that a good thing?](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/the-san-diego-padres-are-a-fantasy-team-is-that-a-good-thing) The Phillies proceeded to bring in three more runs before the end of the inning, cruising to a 6-3 victory and stunning Cardinals fans and players. 4, 2011 in Game 3 of the NLDS against … [Guardians 2, Rays 1](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/al-wild-card-game-1-tampa-bay-rays-vs-cleveland-guardians-oct-07-2022-game-boxscore-85158) (Game 1) Blue Jays](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/al-wild-card-game-1-seattle-mariners-vs-toronto-blue-jays-oct-07-2022-game-boxscore-85161) (Game 1) [Phillies 6, Cardinals 2](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/nl-wild-card-game-1-philadelphia-phillies-vs-st-louis-cardinals-oct-07-2022-game-boxscore-85152) (Game 1)

For the second straight season, the St. Louis Cardinals generated the best TV ratings among all 30 MLB teams through their local TV broadcast partner, ...

Philadelphia scored six times in the ninth inning off the stingy St. Louis bullpen, highlighted by a bases-loaded single by Jean Segura, and the Phillies ...

Mikolas struggled in a tune-up out of the bullpen in Pittsburgh but allowed one earned run over his last two starts. His day was done after fanning Schwarber for the second time on his 75th pitch, handing the game over to a relief corps that had been downright dominant this season. That was 11 years ago to the day Friday, when the Cardinals beat the Phillies in a dramatic pitchers' duel between Chris Carpenter and Roy Halladay in Game 5 of the NL divisional series. Wheeler departed after retiring Arenado to start the seventh. Louis that night while erstwhile ace Adam Wainwright, pitching out of the bullpen this series, also was there to celebrate. Louis and Philadelphia met in the playoffs. He was stellar his last time out against Houston in clinching Philadelphia's wild-card playoff spot. There was a sentimental breeze sweeping through Busch Stadium before the game. But Eflin responded by striking longtime Cardinals star Yadier Molina to end it, leaving Philadelphia one win away from facing NL East champion Atlanta in the divisional round. He gave up Segura's go-ahead single through the right side of the infield. JT Realmuto began the decisive rally with a single off Helsley, and walks for Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos loaded the bases before the All-Star closer plunked Bohm. Louis bullpen, the Phillies finally got their offense going.

He walked Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos to load the bases then hit Alec Bohm with a 100.8 mph fastball to send home the Phillies' first run. After hitting Bohm, Helsley departed with an apparent injury and Andre Pallante came on to face Jean Segura ...

Wheeler stuck around and retired Nolan Arenado to open the bottom of the seventh before departing at 96 pitches. Wheeler was at his best pitching out of trouble in the bottom of the sixth inning. He then ended the inning by getting MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt to ground out. He struck out Rhys Hoskins to open the inning then allowed a single to J.T. He walked Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos to load the bases then hit Alec Bohm with a 100.8 mph fastball to send home the Phillies' first run. After hitting Bohm, Helsley departed with an apparent injury and Andre Pallante came on to face Jean Segura with the bases loaded.

ST. LOUIS — Jean Segura wasn't even halfway down the first-base line when he leaped in the air, looking more like Mikhail Baryshnikov than the player who ...

We’d rather be leading going into the ninth, but there’s a belief in the dugout that we’re never out.” A few days later, Bohm and Matt Vierling homered in the ninth inning in Milwaukee and then-Brewers closer Josh Hader. “That was very fun to watch.” He can hit anything,” said Alec Bohm, who got hit on the left shoulder by a 101-mph Helsley fastball to force in a run and bring up Segura. There was Harper’s grand slam and Bryson Stott’s three-run homer in a walk-off victory over the Los Angeles Angels on June 5. Wheeler dazzled for 6⅓ innings, just as the Phillies drew it up when they planned his return from the injured list last month. The symbolism was unavoidable. Years from now, Phillies fans will talk about the time when Segura reached out, dropped his bat on a 2-and-2 slider from Helsley, and shot it to right field. He’s known for putting the bat to the ball. Often overlooked in a Phillies lineup known for its sluggers, Segura is a contact hitter. If you’re going to wait that long to make the playoffs, you might as well be emphatic in announcing your presence. It was all part of a six-run ninth inning against St.

ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Philadelphia scored six times in the ninth inning off the stingy St. Louis bullpen, highlighted by a bases-loaded single by Jean Segura, ...

Mikolas struggled in a tune-up out of the bullpen in Pittsburgh but allowed one earned run over his last two starts. His day was done after fanning Schwarber for the second time on his 75th pitch, handing the game over to a relief corps that had been downright dominant this season. Wheeler departed after retiring Arenado to start the seventh. He was stellar his last time out against Houston in clinching Philadelphia's wild-card playoff spot. Louis that night while erstwhile ace Adam Wainwright, pitching out of the bullpen this series, also was there to celebrate. Louis and Philadelphia met in the playoffs. [That was 11 years ago to the day Friday](https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-houston-astros-baseball-a5a5fb96a2087fbe367ae65150886797), when the Cardinals beat the Phillies in a dramatic pitchers' duel between Chris Carpenter and Roy Halladay in Game 5 of the NL divisional series. He gave up Segura's go-ahead single [through the right side of the infield](https://www.mlb.com/video/jean-segura-talks-comeback-win). There was a sentimental breeze sweeping through Busch Stadium before the game. Edman was left stranded on third when Paul Goldschmidt grounded out. We fight,” said Alec Bohm, who was plunked on the shoulder by Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley with the bases loaded to drive in the first run. “We're never out of it.