photo: Jordan Walker (Rhona Wise/USA TODAY Sports)
Against quality opponents, the St. Louis Cardinals went 4-3 for the week. Jordan Walker is back from Memphis and had a huge game Sunday. Our history feature highlights two former Cardinals who previously debuted during this week.
Game recaps
Monday, August 26, 2024 – Cardinals 4, Padres 7
On Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals fell to the San Diego Padres in the first of a four-game series at Busch Stadium. Kyle Gibson took the mound for St. Louis. The right-hander pitched 4 1/3 innings, gave up seven runs on five hits, struck out two and walked four. Gibson took the loss.
Matthew Liberatore relieved Gibson and threw two scoreless innings. Shawn Armstrong hurled 1 1/3 scoreless innings. John King got the final out of the eighth. Kyle Leahy tossed a scoreless ninth.
San Diego took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. St. Louis cut the lead to 2-1 in the second when Brendan Donovan tripled and scored on a single by Paul Goldschmidt.
The Padres added two runs in the third to increase the lead to 4-1. The Cardinals scored one run in the fourth. Iván Herrera drew a walk. Donovan singled. Matt Carpenter plated Herrera on a sac fly.
San Diego widened the lead to 7-2 in the fifth. St. Louis plated one run in the seventh. Masyn Winn doubled and scored on a double by Alec Burleson.
The Cardinals added a final run in the ninth. Winn singled and later came home on a single by Burleson.
The Cardinals scored four runs on 11 hits. Burleson was 3-for-5 with two RBI.
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 – Cardinals 5, Padres 7
The Cardinals lost the second game of the series to the Padres on Tuesday. Miles Mikolas started for St. Louis. The right-hander pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up four runs on six hits, struck out three and walked one.
John King relieved Mikolas and surrendered two runs in one inning and took the loss. Andrew Kittredge threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Riley O’Brien yielded one run in the ninth.
The Cardinals went up 2-0 in the first inning. Masyn Winn singled and Alec Burleson doubled. Winn scored on a wild pitch. Luken Baker plated Burleson on a sac fly.
The Padres came back with four runs in the second to take the lead. In the fifth, the Cardinals regained the lead with three runs for a 5-4 advantage. Brendan Donovan singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Lars Nootbaar. Paul Goldschmidt followed with a two-run home run.
San Diego punched back in the seventh with two runs, then added another in the ninth. St. Louis did not score further.
The Cardinals offense scored five runs on 11 hits. Goldschmidt was 3-for-3 with two RBI. Winn was 2-for-4.
Victor Scott stole his fifth base of the season.
Wednesday, August 28, 2024 – Cardinals 4, Padres 3
The Cardinals recovered from two straight losses to the Padres to take game three on Wednesday. Andre Pallante was on the bump for St. Louis. The right-hander pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up two runs on eight hits, struck out three and issued three free passes.
Matthew Liberatore relieved Pallante and threw 2/3 of a scoreless inning. Andrew Kittredge matched Liberatore. JoJo Romero surrendered one run in the eighth. Ryan Helsley earned the win with a scoreless ninth.
San Diego took the lead with a 2-0 first inning. In the fourth, St. Louis put up three runs to lead 3-2. Alec Burleson and Nolan Arenado singled. Luken Baker doubled to drive in Burleson. Arenado scored on a ground out by Brendan Donovan. Paul Goldschmidt plated Baker on a single.
The Padres tied the game in the eighth. The Cardinals walked it off in the ninth. Winn, Victor Scott, and Arenado each singled. Winn came home on Arenado’s hit.
The offense scored four runs on 11 hits. Goldschmidt was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Arenado was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Winn was 2-for-4.
Pedro Pagés made a throwing error.
Thursday, August 29, 2024 – Cardinals 4, Padres 1
On Thursday, the Cardinals won Game 4 to split the Padres series. Sonny Gray was the starter. The right-hander pitched six innings, gave up one run on three hits and fanned four to earn his 12th win.
Ryan Fernandez relieved Gray and threw a scoreless seventh. Matthew Liberatore hurled a scoreless eighth and Ryan Helsley tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his 41st save.
St. Louis took a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Alec Burleson drew a walk. Nolan Arenado reached on a fielder’s choice. Burleson advanced to third on a fielding error. Burleson came home on a ground out by Luken Baker. Paul Goldschmidt plated Arenado.
The Padres scored their only run in the fifth to cut the lead to 2-1. The Cardinals made it 3-1 in the sixth on a solo home run by Masyn Winn.
St. Louis added a fourth run in the eighth for a 4-1 lead. Lars Nootbaar tripled and scored on a single by Iván Herrera.
The Cardinals scored four runs on 10 hits. Herrera was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Winn was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Victor Scott was 2-for-4.
Burleson stole his ninth base of the season. Baker stole his first base.
Friday, August 30, 2024 – Cardinals 3 at Yankees 6
The Cardinals were defeated by the Yankees 6-3 in the opener of the weekend series in the Bronx. Erick Fedde was the starter for the Cardinals. The right-hander pitched 5 1/3 innings, gave up four runs on four hits, fanned eight and walked one. Fedde took the loss.
John King relieved Fedde and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Riley O’Brien surrendered two runs in the eighth.
New York went up 1-0 in the second inning. St. Louis answered with two runs in the top of the third to lead 2-1. Alec Burleson and Nolan Arenado singled. Brendan Donovan plated Burleson on a single. Arenado scored on a single by Paul Goldschmidt.
The Yankees responded in the bottom of the third with three runs to regain the lead 4-2. In the top of the eighth, the Cardinals cut the lead to 4-3 on a solo home run by Arenado.
The Bronx Bombers scored two runs in the home eighth to lead and win the game 6-3.
St. Louis scored three runs on 10 hits. Arenado was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Goldschmidt was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Burleson was 2-for-4.
Saturday, August 31, 2024 – Cardinals 6 at Yankees 5
The Cardinals won a nail-biter in the Bronx on Saturday in the second game of the series with the Yankees. Kyle Gibson made one of his best starts as a Cardinal. The right-hander pitched seven innings, gave up one run on five hits and fanned six to earn his eighth win of the season.
Matthew Liberatore relieved Gibson and had a tough luck eighth. He was dinked and donked in a four-run appearance that lasted 2/3 of an inning. Andrew Kittredge secured the final out of the inning, but not until he allowed three inherited runners to score. Ryan Helsley earned his 42nd save with a scoreless ninth.
The Yankees scored first with a run in the second inning. The Cardinals came back to score four runs in the third for a lead of 4-1. Victor Scott led off the inning with a walk. Masyn Winn grounded into a force out that eliminated Scott. Alec Burleson singled. Nolan Arenado plated Winn on a single. Brendan Donovan followed with a three-run home run to right field.
St. Louis increased the lead to 6-1 in the sixth. Lars Nootbaar doubled and scored on a double by Iván Herrera. Herrera came home on a wild pitch.
The Yankees came roaring back with four runs in the eighth to make it a one run game. The Cardinals and Helsley were able to hold on and win 6-5.
The Cardinals scored six runs on seven hits. Herrera was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Donovan had three RBI.
Winn made a fielding error.
Sunday, September 1, 2024 – Cardinals 14 at Yankees 7
The Cardinals rolled over the Yankees in a 14-7 blowout in the final game of the series on Sunday. Miles Mikolas struggled again in his start. The right-hander pitched four innings and gave up five runs on seven hits. He struck out five and did not walk anyone.
John King relieved Mikolas and surrendered two runs in 1 1/3 innings. Riley O’Brien did not give up any runs in his 1/3 of an inning but did allow two inherited runners to score to tie the game. JoJo Romero played the stopper with 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win. Andrew Kittredge and Ryan Fernandez each tossed a scoreless inning.
St. Louis scored one run in the top of the second to go up 1-0. Brendan Donavan doubled and scored on a single by Jordan Walker. New York took the lead 2-1 in the home second.
The Cardinals retook the lead in the fourth with a four-run outburst. Donovan and Walker singled. Masyn Winn plated Donovan and Walker on a double. Luken Baker followed with a two-run long ball. The Cardinals led 5-2.
St. Louis added two runs in the fifth to widen the lead to 7-2 on a two-run home run by Walker. The Yankees fought back with three runs in the home fifth and two runs in the sixth to tie the game at 7-7.
In the top of the seventh, the Cardinals rallied for five runs to lead 12-7. Nolan Arenado drew a walk. Iván Herrera singled. Walker singled. Lars Nootbaar doubled to clear the bases. Nootbaar came home on a single by Victor Scott. Winn bunted to score Scott.
The Cardinals padded the lead with two more runs in the ninth to lead 14-7 on a two-run home run by Nootbaar.
St. Louis produced 14 runs on 21 hits. Walker was 5-for-5 with three RBI and four runs scored. Nootbaar was 3-for-5 with five RBI and two runs scored. Winn was 2-for-6 with two RBI. Donovan was 3-for-5 with three runs scored. Goldschmidt was 3-for-5. Baker had two RBI.
Walker stole his first base. Nootbaar was picked off and caught stealing.
Mikolas made a throwing error. Goldschmidt made a missed catch error.
The Big Picture
The Cardinals had a record of 4-3 for the week. They split four with the Padres in St. Louis and won two of three over the Yankees in New York. The Saturday win was the first win for the Cardinals franchise against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium (both stadiums) since 1964.
The team resides in third place in the NL Central, 11 games back of the Brewers and two games back of the Cubs, who have been red hot with a six-game winning streak and nine wins their last 10 games. The Cardinals are currently five games out of the third Wild Card with the Braves, Mets and Cubs ahead of them for that final spot.
The offense has taken a turn for the better in the last couple of weeks. It may turn out to be too little too late, however. The most pointed improvement recently has come from Paul Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt has essentially been a black hole in the lineup for most of the season but has seemingly figured something out.
The top offensive performers by OPS over the last seven days are Goldschmidt (1.438), Jordan Walker (1.164), Alec Burleson (1.041), Masyn Winn (.960) and Brendan Donovan (.953). Close behind is Lars Nootbaar (.822).
At the bottom are two players with less than 10 ABs for the week. They are Matt Carpenter (.000 in 2 ABs) and Pedro Pagés (.000 in 6 ABs). Also on this list is Tommy Pham (.000 in 7 ABs) who is no longer with the team as he was claimed off waivers by the Royals.
There is no regular with an OPS below .500 for the week. The closest is Nolan Arenado (.543).
As so often happens to the Cardinals, when the offense improves, the pitching gets worse. Three of five starters had an ERA above 4.00 for the week. They are Kyle Gibson (6.35), Miles Mikolas (6.52) and Erick Fedde (6.75). ERAs below 4.00 belong to Sonny Gray (1.50) and Andre Pallante (3.18).
Gibson’s high ERA is mitigated by a very good start against the Yankees on Saturday, versus a poor one against the Padres. Mikolas gave up nine runs in two starts. Gibson gave up eight in two starts, but one was a one-run start against the Yankees.
The bullpen also struggled a bit with John King (8.31), Matthew Liberatore (8.31) and Riley O’Brien (11.57) having hiccups. Libertore’s issues all manifested in one of four appearances for the week in which bad luck and soft contact were the culprits. King spread his out over two appearances, and O’Brien has just not been effective since being called up from Memphis on Tuesday.
Closer Ryan Helsley continues to deliver, with his MLB-leading 42 saves.
The final month of the season is upon us, and the chances of the Cardinals making the postseason are slim, currently 2% per Fangraphs. It would take a long winning streak and a lot of losing by the surging Braves, Mets and red-hot Cubs over the final weeks of the season.
The Cardinals start this week with three against the Brewers in Milwaukee, who will win the Division barring a major disaster. The final series of the week is in St. Louis against the Mariners, who have had their problems with scoring runs.
NL Central Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | WCGB |
| Milwaukee | 80 | 57 | 0.584 | ||
| Chicago | 71 | 66 | 0.518 | 9 | 3 |
| St. Louis | 69 | 68 | 0.504 | 11 | 5 |
| Cincinnati | 65 | 73 | 0.471 | 15.5 | 9.5 |
| Pittsburgh | 63 | 73 | 0.463 | 16.5 | 10.5 |
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.
Transactions
- 8/27 The Cardinals recalled RHP Riley O’Brien from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 8/27 The Cardinals sent CF Michael Siani on a rehab assignment to the Springfield Cardinals.
- 8/27 The Cardinals designated RHP Shawn Armstrong for assignment. Later claimed off waivers by the Cubs.
- 8/30 The Cardinals recalled RF Jordan Walker from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 8/30 The Cardinals designated OF Tommy Pham for assignment. Later claimed off waivers by the Royals.
- 9/1 The Cardinals activated LHP Steven Matz from the 60-day injured list.
Matz’ 30-day minor league injury rehabilitation assignment ended Sunday as the southpaw made six starts for Memphis and was 0-1 with a 4.29 ERA covering 21 innings with four walks opposing 17 strikeouts. Matz last pitched in a Major League game on April 30 at Detroit.
- 9/1 The Cardinals activated CF Michael Siani from the 10-day injured list.
The centerfielder missed 25 games, having gone on the IL on August 4. During his Springfield rehab, the 25-year-old went 1-for-10 with five walks and two strikeouts. St. Louis manager OIiver Marmol will be returning Siani to his former starting role in center, with fill-in Victor Scott coming off the bench.
Injury Report
- RHP Keynan Middleton (right forearm strain) was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on June 22. Middleton underwent season ending forearm surgery. The right hander will not throw a pitch for the Cardinals this season.
- LHP Drew Rom (left bicep tendinitis and left shoulder surgery) was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60 day-injured list on April 30. Rom underwent left shoulder surgery. The left-hander is expected to be out until at least September.
- LHP Steven Matz (lower back strain) was activated from the 60-day injured list.
- CF Michael Siani (strained right oblique) was activated from the 10-day injured list.
- RHP Lance Lynn (right knee inflammation) was placed on the 15-day injured list on July 31. Lynn made a rehab start for the Memphis Redbirds on Sunday, September 1.
- C Willson Contreras (fractured right middle finger) was placed on the 10-day injured list on August 25. Contreras was hit by a pitch on his right hand. The catcher will not require surgery. A mid-September return is the hope.
Looking Ahead
Following the Yankees series, the Cardinals conclude the road trip with a set in Milwaukee against the Brewers.
After an off day on Thursday, September 5, the Cardinals will face the Mariners in a weekend series at Busch Stadium. Following the Monday off day, the homestand ends with three with the Reds.
The Cardinals then travel out of the country to Toronto to take on the Blue Jays in a three-game weekend series. Next will be a return to St. Louis to begin their final homestand on Monday September 16, starting with four versus the Pirates.
The homestand concludes with three games against the Guardians.
Blast from the Past
This week’s Blast from the Past once more returns to the Debut Series to showcase present or former Cardinals who made their MLB debuts during the current period in past seasons.
In this installment, we look at two players who made their debuts during the period August 26 through September 1. One is a former Cardinal no longer active. The other is an active former Cardinal. Both debuted against the same team 43 years apart. One was drafted in the first round and the other was drafted in the 42nd round.
The name of the player, the date he debuted and in what game, and how the player performed is summarized.
Keith Hernandez – The former Cardinals first baseman and team Hall of Famer was drafted by the Cardinals in the 42nd round in 1971. He made his major league debut on August 30, 1974 in an 8-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park.
Hernandez was in the starting lineup at first base and hitting seventh. He was 1-for-2 with an RBI. In his first plate appearance, in the third inning, Hernandez walked. He was eliminated in a double play off the bat of Mike Tyson.
In the fifth inning, Hernandez again led off and struck out. In the seventh, Hernandez walked for the second time and was again eliminated by Tyson in a force out.
In the ninth, Hernandez had his first major league hit, an RBI single to right field. He was stranded.
Hernandez was with the Cardinals for 10 seasons. The St. Louis segment of his career included the MVP award in 1979, six Gold Gloves, two All-Star selections and a Silver Slugger award.
Due to conflict with manager Whitey Herzog, Hernandez was traded to the Mets on June 15, 1983. Hernandez believed his cocaine use was the reason for the trade and he stopped his drug use after the trade.
Hernandez is currently a TV analyst for the Mets on the SNY Network. He was elected to the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2021.
Jack Flaherty – Flaherty was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round in 2014. Flaherty made his major league debut on September 1, 2017 in an 11-6 win over the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park.
Flaherty was the starting pitcher against the Giants. He was called up to replace Mike Leake, who had been traded two days earlier to the Seattle Mariners.
Flaherty’s debut was not very good. He pitched four innings and gave up five runs on eight hits. He did strike out six Giants.
Flaherty’s first major league strikeout was the first batter he faced, Denard Span. He induced a fly out and struck out Joe Panik for the third out.
In his second inning, he gave up three runs on a two-run home run by Brandon Crawford and an RBI single by Span.
Flaherty allowed two more runs in the third on an RBI triple by Hunter Pence that scored Buster Posey and Crawford.
In his final inning, Flaherty retired all three batters. He was relieved in the fifth inning by John Gant. Flaherty finished the season 0-2 with an ERA of 6.33.
Flaherty made the opening day roster in 2018 to replace injured Adam Wainwright in the rotation. He received his first major league win on May 20, 2018 in a 5-1 win over the Phillies.
Flaherty remained a Cardinal until August 1, 2022, when he was traded in his walk year to the Baltimore Orioles. Flaherty was signed by the Detroit Tigers in the 2023 offseason and on this season’s trade deadline, he moved to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation
Cardinals Only NLC Farm System on the Up, but Still Far from the Top
Now Available – 2024 Cardinals Prospect Guide
The Cardinal Nation Prospect Guide is back for its seventh year. It includes 282 pages of in-depth commentary about more than five dozen of the best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including in-depth scouting reports, 2023 recap, extensive draft and international histories and more.
Special half-price off deal for paid subscribers. Order your PDF or printed book copy today.
Not yet a member?
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.
Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.
© 2024 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.