The St. Louis Cardinals finished the regular season slowly and were swept by Philadelphia at home in the Wild Card Series. Our history feature recaps Albert Pujols’ home run feats in 2015 and 2016.
Regular Season game recaps
Monday, October 3 – Cardinals 2 at Pirates 3
In the first game of the final regular season series in Pittsburgh, the NL Central winning St. Louis Cardinals were topped by the Pirates 3-2. Starter Jose Quintana pitched three scoreless innings, allowed one hit and walked one.
Miles Mikolas followed Quintana and surrendered one run on three hits in three innings. Steven Matz threw a scoreless seventh. Andre Pallante started the eighth and allowed one run. Giovanny Gallegos finished the eighth and opened the ninth, when he walked the bases loaded with no outs. Gallegos was replaced by JoJo Romero, who walked the next batter to score the walk off run for the Pirates. Pallante was tagged with a blown save. Gallegos took the loss.
The game was scoreless until the sixth inning, when the Cardinals put up two runs on a long ball by Albert Pujols. It was Pujols’ 703rd and final regular season home run.
The Pirates responded with one run in the home sixth. Pittsburgh tied the game at 2-2 in the eighth and won it in a walk off in the ninth.
No Cardinal had multiple hits. Pujols drove in the only runs.
Tuesday, October 4 – Cardinals 8 at Pirates 7 (10 innings)
The Cardinals came back to defeat the Pirates in the second game of the series, 8-7. Starter Dakota Hudson struggled through 2 2/3 innings, gave up seven runs on nine hits, struck out one and walked two.
The pen shut out the Pirates the rest of the way. Andre Pallante relieved Hudson and threw 1 1/3 innings. JoJo Romero hurled twoinnings. Jack Flaherty, Ryan Helsley, Zack Thompson, and Chris Stratton combined for the last four frames. Stratton received the win, his 10th.
The Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. In the top of the third, the Cardinals briefly took the lead, 3-1. It began with a Paul DeJong single, followed by singles from Brendan Donovan and Lars Nootbaar. Paul Goldschmidt grounded out and DeJong scored. Albert Pujols singled to plate Donovan and Nootbaar.
The lead quickly evaporated in the home half of the third as the Pirates scored six runs against Hudson to retake the lead, 7-3.
The Cardinals tied the game with four runs in the seventh. Andrew Knizner led off with a double. DeJong walked. Brendan Donovan singled to plate Knizner. Corey Dickerson doubled, scoring DeJong and Donovan. Alec Burleson reached on an error and Dickerson scored.
The game went into the 10th tied 7-7. Ben DeLuzio started the inning on second base. Juan Yepez singled and DeLuzio scored to give the Cardinals an 8-7 lead. The Pirates did not answer.
Dickerson was 2-for-2 with two RBI. Donovan was 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Knizner was 2-for-5. DeJong was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Pujols had two RBI.
In the field, Knizner made a throwing error.
Wednesday, October 5 – Cardinals 3 at Pirates 5
In the final game of the regular season, the Cardinals fell to the Pirates by a 5-3 score in Pittsburgh. Starter Matthew Liberatore pitched five innings, gave up five runs on six hits, struck out three and walked four.
Jordan Hicks threw a scoreless sixth. Jake Woodford tossed the last two scoreless innings. Liberatore took the loss.
The Cardinals took a 2-0 first-inning lead. Lars Nootbaar doubled. Tommy Edman plated Nootbaar on a single. Edman stole second base. Corey Dickerson reached on an error and Edman scored.
St. Louis added a third run in the third. Edman doubled and scored on a single by Nolan Arenado. In the home half of the third the Pirates cut the lead to 3-1.
Pittsburgh took the lead with four runs in the fourth to make it 5-3. The final five innings were scoreless on both sides.
Edman was 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Arenado had an RBI.
On the base paths, Edman stole his 32nd base of the season. In the field, Paul DeJong made a throwing error.
Thursday, October 6 – No game
Wild Card Series game recaps
Friday, October 7 – Cardinals 3, Phillies 6
In the first game of the Wild Card Series at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals lost a heartbreaker in a stunning ninth inning meltdown. Starter Jose Quintana pitched well, throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings with on hits, three strikeouts and one walk.
Jordan Hicks and Giovanny Gallegos combined for the next two scoreless innings. In the eighth, Ryan Helsley yielded no runs. Helsley returned for the ninth and retired the first batter. Soon, a single followed by two walks loaded the bases. Helsley then hit the next batter and the Phillies’ first run scored. Andre Pallante came in to relieve the injured Helsley. After that five more runs came home to give the Phillies a 6-2 lead. Four of the six runs were charged to Helsley and two to Pallante.
The game began as a scoreless pitching duel between Quintana and Zach Wheeler. The Cardinals finally broke the stalemate in the seventh inning when Juan Yepez hit a two-run home run. The game looked to be a Cardinal victory until the ninth inning happened. The Cardinals managed to score one more run in the bottom of the ninth when Nolan Arenado singled and scored on a single by Nolan Gorman. But the deficit could not be closed, and the Cardinals lost 6-3.
The Cardinals offense had just five hits off Phillies starter Zack Wheeler. Juan Yepez had the only extra base hit and two RBI. Nolan Gorman had the other RBI. Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina were both hitless.
Saturday, October 8 – Cardinals 0, Phillies 2
In Game 2 of the Wild Card series the Cardinals were shut out by the Phillies 2-0 to end their season. Starter Miles Mikolas went 4 1/3 innings, gave up two runs on two hits, struck out three and walked one.
Jordan Montgomery, Giovanny Gallegos, and Jordan Hicks combined to toss the final 4 2/3 scoreless innings.
The Phillies scored in the second inning on a solo home run by Bryce Harper. The second run scored in the fifth on a sac fly by Kyle Schwarber.
The Cardinals could not score any runs on Phillies starter Aaron Nola or the Phillies bullpen. Albert Pujols was 2-for-4 with two singles. Lars Nootbaar had the only extra base hit, a double. Juan Yepez, Corey Dickerson, and Yadier Molina each singled.
In the field, Nootbaar had an outfield assist, throwing out Harper at second base. Montgomery picked Alec Bohm off first base.
Final NL Central Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | WCGB | E# |
| St. Louis | 93 | 69 | 0.574 | |||
| Milwaukee | 86 | 76 | 0.531 | 7 | 1 | E |
| Chicago | 74 | 88 | 0.457 | 19 | 13 | E |
| Cincinnati | 62 | 100 | 0.383 | 31 | 25 | E |
| Pittsburgh | 62 | 100 | 0.383 | 31 | 25 | E |
The Big Picture
The Cardinals season ended on Saturday, October 8. For the final week, the Cardinals won one of three regular season games against the Pirates and lost both games of the Wild Card Series to the Phillies. It was their worst week of the season.
The Cardinals won the National League Central Division Championship but did not advance in the postseason beyond the Wild Card Series despite holding home field advantage. The Cardinals were both outpitched and outhit by the Phillies. In fact, St. Louis’ offense was basically nonexistent, scoring just three runs on 12 hits over two games. 10 of the 12 hits were singles.
This is the third straight year the Cardinals made an immediate exit from the postseason. They lost in the 2020 Wild Card series to the Padres and dropped the Wild Card game to the Dodgers in 2021.
An emotional Yadier Molina after the final game of his 19-year career: "This is my home. St. Louis is my home. I appreciate all the fans for all the support over many years. … I'm blessed and happy the way my career went."
Stream: https://t.co/umb9Njl1tL#STLCards pic.twitter.com/6rXKXMWnoJ
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) October 9, 2022
The regular season was headlined by the return of Albert Pujols for his final season and reaching the historic milestone of 700 career home runs (finishing with 703). Both he and Yadier Molina have played their last major league game. It is a shame they were not able to continue deeper into the postseason and received the sendoff they both deserved.
The Cardinals will return in March for the 2023 season without Pujols, Molina, and perhaps Adam Wainwright as well. Wainwright has not made a decision on whether he will return for another season. The remainder of the 2022 squad except for Corey Dickerson are set to be back unless they are traded, waived, or non-tendered in the offseason. Nolan Arenado has an opt out after this season which he is not expected to exercise. The chances are very high but not guaranteed that Arenado will be back next season. New faces will likely be joining the 2023 team. The first game of the 2023 regular season will be on March 30, against the Toronto Blue Jays at Busch Stadium.
Gallegos receives two-year extension
The Cardinals announced on Tuesday, October 4 that an agreement had been reached with relief pitcher Giovanny Gallegos for a two-year extension of his contract. Gallegos, 31, had two more arbitration years left and this extension covers both those years. A third team option year was also included.
The contract is for two years and $11 million, including $500K signing bonus, $4.5 million in 2023 and $5.5 million in 2024. A third option year is worth $6.5 million with a $500K buyout. The option year includes incentives for more money, up to $3.5 million.
Gallegos came to the Cardinals in a trade with the Yankees for Luke Voit in 2018. In his four seasons in St. Louis, Gallegos has a 2.82 ERA and 33 saves in 229 2/3 innings.
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.
Transactions
- 10/5 The Cardinals optioned RHP Dakota Hudson to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 10/5 The Cardinals recalled LHP Matthew Liberatore from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 10/5 The Cardinals optioned LHP JoJo Romero to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 10/5 The Cardinals activated RHP Jordan Hicks from the 15-day injured list.
- 10/6 The Cardinals recalled 2B Nolan Gorman and LHP Packy Naughton from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 10/6 The Cardinals moved LHP Matthew Liberatore, RHPs Jake Woodford and Chris Stratton and OF Alec Burleson to the taxi squad.
- 10/6 The Cardinals recalled C Ivan Herrera, RHPs James Naile, Jake Walsh, Kodi Whitley and Freddy Pacheco, LHP Genesis Cabrera, and 2B Kramer Robertson from the Memphis Redbirds for the taxi squad.
- 10/6 The Cardinals assigned LF Tyler O’Neill (10-day injured list) to rehab in the Arizona Fall League.
- 10/7 The Cardinals reassigned RHPs Jake Walsh, Kodi Whitley, James Naile, Jake Woodford, Chris Stratton, and Freddy Pacheco, LHPs Genesis Cabrera and Matthew Liberatore, 2B Kramer Robertson, C Ivan Herrera, OF Alec Burleson, and LF Tyler O’Neill to the minor leagues.
Injury Report
- RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) had surgery on the shoulder back in May. It is expected that Reyes will be ready for Spring Training.
- RHP Drew VerHagen (right hip impingement) had hip surgery and is expected to return by Spring Training.
- OF Tyler O’Neill (left hamstring strain) did not progress enough to be put on the Wild Card roster. O’Neill was activated and sent to the Arizona Fall League to get some rehab playing time. O’Neill is expected to be ready to go by Spring Training.
- RHP Ryan Helsley was removed from his appearance in Game 1 of the Wild Card series with loss of feeling in the finger he jammed. An MRI of the finger came back clean. Had the Cardinals progressed to Game 3 of the Wild Card Series, Helsley was expected to be ready to pitch.
Looking Ahead
The Cardinals 2022 season is over after the Game 2 loss to the Phillies on Saturday.
At the end of the postseason, the offseason begins with free agency becoming official five days after the conclusion of the World Series. The Cardinals have three potential free agents and one player with an opt out.
Pitchers Adam Wainwright and Jose Quintana, and outfielder Corey Dickerson will be free agents. Third baseman Nolan Arenado will also be a free agent on that date if he exercises his opt out provision. He is not expected to do so, but it is a possibility.
The Cardinals can negotiate for the return of their free agents during the five-day window following the World Series. It is expected that Wainwright will either re-sign with the Cardinals or retire. There is a possibility that the Cardinals will also attempt to re-sign Quintana. It is unknown whether the team has any desire to bring Dickerson back.
Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina will also be free agents, but both have announced their intention to retire and will not be returning.
Blast from the Past
In this installment of our series on the career home run record of Cardinals great Albert Pujols, we take a look at his 2015 and 2016 seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
Following is each season with totals for each and further details about the home runs hit.
2015 season
In Albert Pujols’ 15th major league season, he hit 40 home runs. He had three games with two home runs.
Pujols’ first home run of the 2015 season (career #521) was hit on April 8, 2015, against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. The Angels beat the Mariners 5-3. The long ball was a two-run shot in the first inning against starter Hisashi Iwakuma.
The final home run hit by Albert in 2013 (#560) was hit at Rangers Ballpark against Texas starter Cole Hamels on October 4. It was a two-run shot in the first inning. The Angels lost to the Rangers 9-2.
Further details on the 40 home runs hit by Pujols in 2015.
- Twenty-nine of the 40 home runs were hit against right-handed pitchers. Eleven were hit off left-handers.
- Of the 40, 20 were hit at home and 20 on the road.
- Albert hit five home runs each against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Oakland Athletics, and the Houston Astros.
- Pujols hit his home runs against 40 different pitchers.
- Albert hit three home runs each at Rangers Ballpark, Oakland Coliseum, and Minute Maid Park.
- Locations of the 17 home runs were Pulled (21), Up the Middle (18), and Opposite Field (1).
- Long balls by month: April (3), May (8), June (13), July (6), August (4), September (4), and October (2).
- Type: Fly Balls (25), Line Drives (15).
2016 season
In his 16th major league season and fifth season with the Angels, Albert hit 31 home runs. He had four games with two home runs.
The first 2016 home run (#561) was hit on April 15 against the Twins at Target Field. The solo home run came in the seventh inning against reliever Tommy Milone. The Angels lost to the Twins 5-4.
HIs final home run of 2016 (#591) was hit at Minute Maid Park on September 22 in the first inning against Astros starter Mike Fiers. It was a two-run home run. The Angels beat the Astros 2-0.
Further details on his 2016 home runs.
- Pujols hit 22 home runs against right-handed pitchers and nine against left-handers.
- He hit 18 home runs at home and 13 on the road.
- Albert blasted six home runs against the Seattle Mariners.
- Pujols hit two home runs each off Mike Fiers (HOU), Jacob Turner (CHW), Kyle Lohse (TEX), and Ian Kennedy (KCR).
- Safeco Field did not hold four of the 31 home runs.
- The locations of the home runs were: Up the Middle (18), Pulled (14), and Opposite Field (1).
- Long balls by month: April (6), May (5), June (3), July (6), August (6), and September (5).
- Type of home runs: Fly Ball (23), Line Drive (8).
The next installment will look at Pujols’ 2017 and 2018 seasons with the Angels.
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