photo: Paul Goldschmidt (Joe Puetz/USA TODAY Sports)
The St. Louis Cardinals opened 2024 with three losses in four tries in Los Angeles. Offense was scarce and pitching was spotty. The returns of Lars Nootbaar and Sonny Gray are nearing. Our history feature looks at opening series from 1900-1950.
Spring Training game recaps
Monday, March 25, 2024 – Cardinals 6 at Cubs 3
The St. Louis Cardinals played the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Arizona for the final two days of spring training. St. Louis prevailed over Chicago on Monday by a three-run margin. Starter Steven Matz pitched 4 1/3 innings, gave up three runs on six hits, struck out three and walked two.
Ryan Fernandez threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Matthew Liberatore followed with a scoreless seventh. Riley O’Brien and Matt Svanson finished with scoreless eighth and ninth innings.
The Cardinals offense scored six runs on 10 hits. Nolan Arenado had a 2-for-3 day which included a double. Masyn Winn was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Willson Contreras had two RBI. R.J Yeager, Pedro Pagés and Brendan Donovan each drove in a run.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 – Cardinals 7 at Cubs 2
In the final spring training game of 2024, the Cardinals again beat the Cubs in Arizona. Starter Kyle Gibson pitched five innings, gave up one run on four hits and struck out nine.
Giovanny Gallegos threw a scoreless sixth. Andrew Kittredge surrendered one run in the seventh. JoJo Romero and Ryan Helsley each tossed a scoreless inning.
The Cardinals scored seven runs on 14 hits. Ivan Herrera was 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored. Alex Burleson was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Michael Siani was 2-for-3. Herrera’s RBI came on a ninth inning solo home run. Paul Goldschmidt, Brendan Donovan, Matt Carpenter, Burleson and Herrera all doubled.
Regular Season game recaps
Thursday, March 28, 2024 – Cardinals 1 at Dodgers 7
In St. Louis’ regular season opener, the Cardinals were blasted by Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Starter Miles Mikolas pitched 4 1/3 innings, gave up five runs on seven hits, struck out five and walked two. He took the loss.
Andre Pallante threw 1 2/3 innings and surrendered one run on two hits with two strikeouts. Riley O’Brien yielded one run in the seventh. Matthew Liberatore tossed a scoreless eighth.
The Dodgers took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and added three more to make it 5-0 in the third. St. Louis scored their only run in the fourth on a solo home run by Paul Goldschmidt.
Goldschmidt went 3-for-4 with an RBI. The first baseman had the only hits in the game for the Cardinals.
Victor Scott II stole his first major league base. In the field, Jordan Walker had an outfield assist at third base.
Friday, March 29, 2024 – Cardinals 3 at Dodgers 6
In the second game of their opening series, the Cardinals fell to the Dodgers in Los Angeles by the score of 6-3. Starter Zack Thompson pitched 5 1/3 innings, gave up five runs on six hits, struck out four and walked two. The left hander took the loss.
Giovanny Gallegos surrendered one run in 1 2/3 innings of relief. JoJo Romero tossed a scoreless eighth.
For the second straight game, the Dodgers went ahead early. This time, they scored single runs in the first and second innings against Thompson. In the fourth, Los Angeles increased the lead to 5-0. One more run in the seventh widened the tally to 6-0.
The Cardinals finally got on the board in the eighth. Masyn Winn led off the inning with a single. Brendan Donovan was hit by a pitch. Paul Goldschmidt drew a walk to load the bases. Nolan Gorman doubled to right field which scored Winn and Donovan to cut the lead to 6-2. Nolan Arenado’s sac fly to plated Goldschmidt to make it 6-3.
Gorman went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Winn was 2-for-3. Arenado drove in one.
Saturday, March 30 – Cardinals 6 at Dodgers 5 (10 innings)
In a wild Saturday at Dodger Stadium, the Cardinals won in extra innings. Starter Lance Lynn pitched four scoreless innings with four hits allowed, five punchouts and one walk before rain delayed the game.
Following the delay, Matthew Liberatore took over for Lynn and threw two innings, during which he was charged with two runs on three hits. JoJo Romero surrendered one run in the seventh. Andrew Kittredge threw a scoreless eighth. Ryan Helsley had a tough ninth, yielding two runs to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Giovanny Gallegos tossed a scoreless 10th to earn the save. Helsley was granted the win.
Lynn loaded the bases in the first inning, but like Houdini, got out of it with three consecutive strikeouts. Neither team scored until the Dodgers got to Liberatore for two runs in the fifth.
The Cardinals rebounded in the top of the seventh to take a 5-2 lead. Nolan Gorman drew a walk and Nolan Arenado was hit by a pitch. Matt Carpenter reached on catcher interference.
With the bases loaded, Iván Herrera’s sac fly brought in Gorman. Alec Burleson singled and Arenado came home with St. Louis’ second run to tie the score. Brandon Crawford singled to load the bases again. With Victor Scott II at the plate, Dodger reliever and former Cardinal Joe Kelly balked and Carpenter scored to give the Cardinals a 3-2 lead. Scott popped out. Michael Siani pinch ran for Burleson. Brendan Donovan’s ground rule double scored Siani and Crawford. The Cardinals led 5-2.
Iin the home half of the seventh, the home team cut the lead to 5-3.
In the bottom of the ninth, Helsley gave up the tying runs to Los Angeles on a solo home run by Mookie Betts and consecutive singles by Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, and Max Muncy.
In the top of the 10th, Scott started the inning on second base. Brendan Donovan grounded out. Paul Goldschmidt grounded out to score Scott for a 6-5 Cardinals lead. Gorman singled and Arenado reached on an error to load the bases, but the rally ended with a Carpenter strikeout.
Gallegos came in to save the game. He struck out the first two hitters, then gave up a single and a walk. The game ended with a pop out by Shohei Otani and the Cardinals prevailed by one run.
Burleson was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Donovan drove in two. Herrera and Goldschmidt each had an RBI.
In the field, Burleson had an outfield assist, throwing out Freeman at home plate.
Sunday, March 31, 2024 – Cardinals 4 at Dodgers 5
The Cardinals lost to the Dodgers in the finale of the four-game series at Chavez Ravine. Starter Steven Matz pitched well and deserved better than the outcome he received. The left hander pitched 5 1/3 innings, gave up two runs on five hits, struck out three and walked two.
Andrew Kittredge relieved and finished the sixth inning with no damage. Andre Pallante surrendered two runs in 1 1 /3 innings. John King recorded the final two outs of the game and gave up a two-run home run with one run charged to him. King, just called up on Sunday, took the loss.
The Cardinals had an early lead, scoring one run in the third inning on an RBI single by Paul Goldschmidt. They added to their lead in the fifth on an RBI single by Brendan Donovan.
In the sixth, St. Louis put up two more runs in an out-of-the-ordinary way. After walks to Willson Contreras, Jordan Walker, and Victor Scott, Brendan Donovan was hit by a pitch and Contreras scored. Walker came home on catcher interference to Paul Goldschmidt.
The Dodgers got on the board in the home sixth to cut the lead to 4-2. Andre Pallante and John King surrendered three runs to the Dodgers in the eighth to give them the lead. The Cardinals were unable to respond.
The Cardinals scored four runs on eight hits. Victor Scott II was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. No other Cardinal had multiple hits. Donovan and Goldschmidt each had two RBI.
The Big Picture
The Cardinals won only one of the four-game set with the Dodgers and have a record of 1-3. That puts them where they ended the 2023 season, in last place in the NL Central.
The offense was scarce in this series. The middle of the order bats were especially lifeless, with the exception of Paul Goldschmidt. Nolan Arenado had an OPS of .174 in LA. Goldschmidt, with an OPS of .912, was the only batter who stood out for the right reason.
The starting pitching in the first two games was lacking. Only Lance Lynn and Steven Matz had decent outings. Matz was let down by the bullpen, which it could be argued was mismanaged in this series.
The use of primary set-up man Giovanny Gallegos in a game that the Cardinals were losing by six runs late was questionable. As a result, the bullpen was shorthanded in the final game in which the Cardinals led until the eighth inning.
Gallegos, along with JoJo Romero and Matthew Liberatore were unavailable for the final game due to usage in the first three games. Without a late lead to protect, Ryan Helsley did not pitch Sunday, either. Only one of those games was winnable and it was the one they actually won.
It was the first series of the season, and it is hoped the offense will materialize soon. Much of what happened in Los Angeles is reminiscent of how the 2023 season began.
The Cardinals will head down the interstate to San Diego to play new manager Mike Shildt’s Padres in a three-game series starting Monday. Winning that set would go a long way toward dispelling the shadow of the 2023 debacle.
NL Central Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB |
| Pittsburgh | 4 | 0 | 1.000 | |
| Milwaukee | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | 0.5 |
| Cincinnati | 2 | 1 | 0.667 | 1.5 |
| Chicago | 1 | 2 | 0.333 | 2.5 |
| St. Louis | 1 | 3 | 0.250 | 3 |
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.
Transactions
- 3/26 The Cardinals optioned LHP John King to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 3/26 The Cardinals optioned C Pedro Pagés to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 3/27 The Cardinals selected the contract of CF Victor Scott II from the Springfield Cardinals.
- 3/27 The Cardinals optioned SS José Fermín to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 3/27 The Cardinals placed RHP Sonny Gray on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 25. Right hamstring strain.
- 3/27 The Cardinals placed LHP Drew Rom on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 25. Left shoulder bicep tendinitis.
- 3/27 placed RHP Keynan Middleton on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 25. Right forearm flexor strain.
- 3/27 The Cardinals designated 2B Jared Young for assignment.
- 3/27 The Cardinals placed CF Tommy Edman on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 25. Right wrist sprain.
- 3/27 The Cardinals placed LH Lars Nootbaar on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 25. Left rib contusion.
- 3/27 The Cardinals placed CF Dylan Carlson on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 26. Left AC strain.
- 3/29 The Cardinals sent 2B Jared Young outright to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 3/31 The Cardinals recalled LHP John King from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 3/31 The Cardinals placed RHP Riley O’Brien on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 29. Right forearm flexor strain.
Injury Report
- CF Tommy Edman (arthroscopic wrist surgery) was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 25. Edman has not hit off live pitching since late in the 2023 season. Edman is scheduled to have another MRI on Wednesday. If the MRI clears Edman, he will restart baseball activities that include fielding and hitting soft toss throws. A projected return if all goes well is early May.
- LF Lars Nootbaar (two non-displaced rib fractures) was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 25. Nootbaar has progressed enough that he is scheduled for a rehab assignment with the Memphis Redbirds on Tuesday. He is eligible to come off the IL on Thursday, but there is no certainty he will be ready for the home opener against the Marlins according to Manager Oli Marmol.
- RHP Sonny Gray (right hamstring) was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 25. Gray is scheduled to make a rehab start for the Memphis Redbirds on Wednesday. If all goes well, he could return for his debut against the Phillies on April 9.
- RHP Keynan Middleton (right forearm strain) was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 25. Middleton is scheduled to throw off a mound on Wednesday. If he passes that test, he will likely face hitters at the Cardinals complex in Jupiter, followed by a possible rehab assignment.
- LHP Drew Rom (left bicep tendinitis) was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 25. The left hander will need several rehab assignments before he returns to the roster. That return is a possibility by mid-April.
- CF Dylan Carlson (left AC joint sprain) was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 26. Carlson received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his left shoulder on Friday. After 48 to 72 hours of rest, he should be able to begin rehab activities. Carlson is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
- RHP Riley O’Brien (right forearm flexor strain) was placed on the 15-day injured list on March 31 retroactive to March 29. He will be eligible to come off the IL on April 13. No further information on the injury is available.
Looking Ahead
The regular season has begun. The Cardinals finished a four-game series with the Dodgers on Sunday.
Following the Dodgers series, the Cardinals travel to San Diego to face the Padres for three. Kyle Gibson is set to make the Monday start, followed by Miles Mikolas on Tuesday, and Zack Thompson on Wednesday.
The Cardinals home opener is on Thursday, April 4 against the Marlins. Lance Lynn will make the start. After a Friday off day, the series will continue on Saturday and Sunday. No pitchers have been announced for these games, but if the rotation holds, they will be Steven Matz and Kyle Gibson.
After the Marlins series, the Phillies come to St. Louis for three.
Blast from the Past
Opening Day has arrived and the Cardinals are playing their first series on the road against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. The team has had 125 years of opening days since they officially became the Cardinals in 1900.
In honor of Opening Day 2024, Blast from the Past recognizes 13 Opening Days, starting with 1900 and the first year of each decade after. This will be done in two installments, with the first six in this installment and the final seven next week.
The team played in that opening series, the opening day starting lineups (where available), and the results of each series will be highlighted. The list of Opening Days follows below.
April 19-21, 1900 – The Cardinals played the Pittsburgh Pirates in a three-game series. The Cardinals won the first game 3-0, lost the second game 4-3, and won the third game 6-5. All game were played at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis.
No box score is available for this series, but Baseball Almanac lists the opening day starters – OF Jesse Burkett, IF Lave Cross, OF Patsy Donovan, OF Emmet Heidrick, IF Bill Keister, IF Dan McGann, C Jack O’Connor, IF Bobby Wallace, and P Cy Young (yes, that Cy Young).
April 14-17, 1910 – The Cardinals played the Pittsburgh Pirates in three at Sportsman’s Park. St. Louis lost the first game 5-1, won the second 6-5, and lost the third, 4-2.
The opening day lineup on April 14, 1910: 2B Miller Huggins, LF Rube Ellis, CF Rebel Oakes, 1B Ed Konetchy, RF Steve Evans, C Roger Bresnahan, SS Rudy Hulswitt, 3B William Barbeau, and P Vic Willis.
April 14-17, 1920 – The Cardinals faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in a four-game set at Sportsman’s Park. St. Louis lost the first game, 5-4, won the second 3-2, and were shut out in the third and fourth, losing by 5-0 and 3-0.
The opening day lineup on April 14, 1920 was LF Burt Shotton, RF Cliff Heathcote, 3B Milt Stock, 2B Rogers Hornsby, 1B Jack Fournier, CF Austin McHenry, SS Hal Hanvrin, C Verne Clemons, and P Bill Doak.
April 15-18, 1930 – The Cardinals welcomed the Chicago Cubs for four games at Sportsman’s Park. St. Louis dropped the first game 9-8, won the second 13-3, lost the third 3-0, and won the fourth game 11-1.
The opening day lineup on April 15, 1930 was CF Taylor Douthit, 2B Sparky Adams, 3B Frankie Frisch, 1B Jim Bottomley, LF Chick Hafey, RF George Fisher, SS Charlie Gelbert, C Jimmie Wilson, and P Flint Rehm.
April 16, 1940 – St. Louis played one game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which they lost 6-4. The Cardinals then moved on to Chicago to face the Cubs.
The opening day lineup on April 16, 1940 was 3B Jimmy Brown, 2B Stu Martin, RF Enos Slaughter, 1B Johnny Mize, C Don Padgett, LF Pepper Martin, CF Terry Moore, SS Marty Marion, and P Curt Davis.
April 18-20, 1950 – The Cardinals took on the Pittsburgh Pirates for three at Sportsman’s Park. St. Louis won the first game 4-2 and lost the second and third, 4-3 and 8-4.
The opening day lineup on April 18, 1950 was CF Harry Walker, 2B Red Schoendienst, RF Stan Musial, LF Enos Slaughter, 3B Eddie Kazak, 1B Rocky Nelson, C Joe Garagiola, SS Eddie Miller, and P Gerry Staley.
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