When last the Nats and Cards squared off in the postseason, way back in 2012, Stephen Strasburg was out of commission. But Ryan Zimmerman and Kurt Suzuki were with the Nationals. The Cardinals will counter with a roster that includes just a few key holdovers: grizzled backstop Yadier Molina, resurgent veteran starter Adam Wainwright, and long-time infielder Matt Carpenter.
For those that watched the club’s NLDS effort closely, this roster will be a familiar one …
Right-handed pitchers
- John Brebbia
- Jack Flaherty (game 3 starter)
- Giovanny Gallegos
- Ryan Helsley
- Dakota Hudson (game 4 starter)
- Carlos Martinez
- Miles Mikolas (game 1 starter)
- Daniel Ponce de Leon
- Adam Wainwright (game 2 starter)
Left-handed pitchers
Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
As we noted when the St. Louis org rolled out this same roster for the divisional matchup with the Braves, two of the most prominent names not included are right-handed hurlers Michael Wacha and John Gant. The latter fell out of favor amid second-half struggles, and it’s not surprising to see the Cards sticking with their assessment. But the former might have garnered renewed consideration in a longer series since he’s capable of throwing multiple innings. Just about any pitcher can be pushed beyond typical usage this time of year, but if the club needs a true long man, it may turn to Ponce de Leon, who spent much of the year as a starter.
The Cardinals elected not to make any changes to the position-player mix. Arozarena has scant MLB experience and struck out in two of just three plate appearances in the divisional series. But he’ll be retained as a glove-and-run bench piece instead of the more experienced Tyler O’Neill, who might’ve brought more pop in a reserve role.
That aforementioned 2012 NLDS matchup provided lasting memories for Cards fans and nightmares for the Nationals’ faithful. This time around, the St. Louis organization has a clear advantage in its relief corps, though the pen isn’t exactly a dominant unit and the Nats can hope to get many innings from their vaunted rotation. The Nationals hold an advantage in superstar bats, though the Cards arguably possess better position-player depth and a strong rotation of their own. It should be another highly competitive series.
Carlos Martinez scares me. He looked lackadaisical on the mound.
Ponce do Leon makes no sense, un used for most of September not in NLDS. Another bat makes more sense
Hopefully, they announce the Cardinals cheat as soon as possible as well!
Oh you poor trolling thing. Nothing to do since the gernts are out of it? They’ll be letting Bumgarner go this winter and you won’t even have a screen name.
I will once the Braves don’t acquire him but instead pick up Teheran and finish in 4th. But I still have a feeling the chances of the Cardinals cheating is greater.
Lol awwweee….nothing to do tonight because you are butt hurt your team isn’t in the playoffs…so instead he comes on Mlbtraderumors and seeks attention…it’s ok bud…but kinda pathetic
Starting early with the 4th place for Braves next year. I would love to place a wager with you that they don’t.
If they stand pat, I’ll take the bet. How can you even be confident in this bet knowing how many holes the team has heading into 2020?
At least two rotation spots need to be filled.
At least two outfield spots need to be filled.
Third base needs to be filled.
Half the bullpen may need to be filled.
If your answer is to fill it with prospects, that is precisely the mindset that led to two straight first-round exits.
Braves pick up Teheran’s option, attach two prospects for Ken Giles. Blue Jays need an innings eater for a year to bridge the gap to the younger guys coming up. No prospect in Atlanta’s Top 10 necessary.
I mean I want Teheran gone, but meh to Giles!
Ponce do Leon makes no sense, un used for most of September not in NLDS. Another bat makes more sense
He makes perfect sense as an emergency long man, if a game goes way deep into extras they won’t need to burn a starter to cover
Agreed… and then he will suddenly be injured and replaced with a bat by game 4.
That would be interesting if they do that lol I could see it..can any one for sure say that is legal? Does a pitcher have to replace a pitcher?
Wrong. A pitcher can only be replaced by another pitcher and same goes for position players.
7. An injured post-season eligible player can (with the approval of the MLB Commissioner) be replaced on his club’s Post-Season Eligibility List by a player (regardless of position) who was on an Active List, Reserve List, 60-day Injured List, or Military List of a minor league affiliate from that organization prior to midnight (Eastern) on August 31st, or by a player who was on the club’s MLB Reserve List (40-man roster), MLB 60-day Injured List, or Military List prior to midnight (Eastern) on August 31st but who was subsequently sent outright to the minors. (In the case of a player who is sent outright to the minors after August 31st, the player must remain on a Reserve List of a minor league affiliate from that organization continuously throughout the remainder of the MLB regular season and post-season in order to be eligible to replace an injured post-season eligible player).
What’s the over/under on Molina crying and whining?
Probably about the same odds as you crying in the comments…
I love the jealousy…you reek of it
He probably gets upset because even when they cheat, they barely get through a 162 game season. A lot easier to cheat in a short series and get away with it.
Too funny and too true!
lol didn’t take my, you are looking pathetic advise, but hey keep it up
I have no dog in this fight, given the teams that are left. But for anyone to rip Yadi Molina for “whining” or anything else for that matter, is absurd. I’m 42 and the guy is the best C of my generation. I understand that Piazza hit more, but this guy is the epitome of being the captain of a team and running team. Opponents have the utmost respect for the guy. For the first 8-10 years of his career, teams didn’t even attempt to run on him. Sounds like the whiner is the one ripping him without cause.
Is anyone else shocked, like I am, at all of the empty seats at Busch tonight for Game 1? WTF? I am no Cards fan, but I’ve attended a series for a weekend there and let me just say that their reputation of being hardcore and knowledgeable baseball fans is true. Of all places, I would’ve bet that STL would be sold out. We are heading for a STL-NYY World Series, by the way …
You mean the self proclaimed best fans in baseball cannot even fill their own ballpark for the NLCS where they had not even been in the playoffs for the last 3 seasons?
Say it isn’t so!
I love all the jealousy…keep it up guys…I’m lmao…I appreciate it
:-)
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha…it is so awesome…keep it up…I love laughing
Oooooff this strike zone is awful tonight, he’s all over the place
Anyone playing golf during the playoffs should be fired. Even if it is with their boss. Fire him too.