Headlines

  • Max Meyer To Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery
  • Whit Merrifield Announces Retirement
  • White Sox Sign Noah Syndergaard To Minor League Deal
  • Corbin Carroll Placed On IL With Wrist Fracture
  • Reds Designate Jeimer Candelario For Assignment
  • Hoops Rumors Has The Latest On NBA Draft, Free Agency
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Cardinals Announce NLDS Roster

By Steve Adams | October 3, 2019 at 10:38am CDT

The Cardinals have announced their roster for their National League Division Series showdown against the Braves, which kicks off in about six hours when Game 1 starter Miles Mikolas squares off against lefty Dallas Keuchel in Atlanta. Here’s their full roster:

Right-handed pitchers

  • John Brebbia
  • Jack Flaherty (Game 2 starter)
  • Giovanny Gallegos
  • Ryan Helsley
  • Dakota Hudson
  • Carlos Martinez
  • Miles Mikolas (Game 1 starter)
  • Daniel Ponce de Leon
  • Adam Wainwright

Left-handed pitchers

  • Genesis Cabrera
  • Andrew Miller
  • Tyler Webb

Catchers

  • Yadier Molina
  • Matt Wieters

Infielders

  • Matt Carpenter
  • Paul DeJong
  • Tommy Edman
  • Paul Goldschmidt
  • Yairo Munoz
  • Kolten Wong

Outfielders

  • Randy Arozarena
  • Harrison Bader
  • Dexter Fowler
  • Jose Martinez
  • Marcell Ozuna

Notable absences from the roster include right-handers Michael Wacha and John Gant. Wacha has long been a fixture on the Cardinals’ pitching staff but suffered a mild shoulder strain in his final outing of the season — a performance that could prove to be his final game as a Cardinal. The 28-year-old will become a free agent at season’s end, and his up-and-down season ultimately came to a close with middling end results: a 4.76 ERA, 7.4 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 and a 48 percent ground-ball rate in 126 2/3 innings. Wacha was twice demoted to the bullpen but returned to a starting role in each instance. The Cardinals could, of course, explore a reunion this winter, but they have a solid trio in Flaherty, Hudson and Mikolas — to say nothing of Carlos Martinez and perennial wild card Alex Reyes. They’ll also surely consider another deal with Wainwright, if the venerable rotation workhorse wishes to continue playing. Even if the Cards do seek a starter this winter, they may prefer more stability than Wacha can offer.

As for Gant, he opened the season as perhaps the Cardinals’ most reliable reliever, but his 2019 campaign took a sharp turn for the worst in late June. The 27-year-old, acquired in the 2016 swap that sent Jaime Garcia to the very organization the Cardinals will face in this series, carried a sub-2.00 ERA past the midpoint of June. He was torched for four runs in a third of an inning on June 23, however, and seemingly never regained his form. Gant allowed runs in 14 of his final 30 appearances this season, pitching to a 7.11 ERA the rest of the way. He pitched a total of 41 innings through the Cardinals’ first 74 games but logged just 25 1/3 frames from that point forth despite never landing on the IL or being optioned to the minors.

It’s also of note that the 24-year-old Arozarena has cracked the postseason roster. A fairly high-profile signing out of Cuba a few years back, Arozarena split the majority of the season between Double-A and Triple-A, where he posted huge numbers at both levels. He appeared in only 19 games in the Majors as a September call-up, though, and totaled a mere 23 plate appearances  in that time. The Cards could’ve opted to bring Tyler O’Neill along to provide some pop off the bench, but they’ll instead opt for Arozarena’s superior speed and defensive versatility, as he’s capable of playing all three outfield spots.

As for the rest of the Cardinals’ rotation beyond Mikolas in Game 1 and Flaherty in Game 2, it’s a bit up in the air. Manager Mike Shildt indicated that Hudson is tentatively in line to start Game 3 but will also be available in relief in Games 1 and 2. If he does come out of the bullpen, Wainwright would get the nod in Game 3 with Hudson potentially starting the fourth game depending on when and how he is used (link via Anne Rogers of MLB.com).

Share 0 Retweet 3 Send via email0

St. Louis Cardinals

Braves Leave Julio Teheran Off NLDS Roster
Main
CC Sabathia Not On Yankees’ ALDS Roster
View Comments (66)
Post a Comment

66 Comments

  1. lowtalker1

    6 years ago

    The padres have been to the playoffs in 1984, 1996, 1998, 2005 and 2006.
    3 of the 5 times they matched up against the cardinals in 96, 05 and 06 and lost in the division series. The other two times they went all the way to the World Series. I truly enjoy watching the cardinals lose almost as much as I like watching the doyuers lose.

    Reply
    • acryingfish

      6 years ago

      it must have been tough watching the birds win all those championships.

      easy to tear down others when your team can’t even make the playoffs.

      it’s much more fun to be in the big dance and laugh at you haters.

      1
      Reply
      • CFAP

        6 years ago

        All those championships? They’ve won 2 in the last 30 plus years. And Cards fans wonder why other fans find them pompous, arrogant and entitled?

        Reply
        • Wainofan

          6 years ago

          2 titles, 4 pennants, 7 LCS, 12 post season appearances since 2000. Unless you’re a Yankees fan, we’re more successful than your team however you slice it.

          Reply
        • CFAP

          6 years ago

          The first # is all that matters.

          Reply
        • Lanidrac

          6 years ago

          In which case, the Cardinals are still more successful than anyone other than the Red Sox or Giants this century. (2000 was technically the last year of the 20th Century, so the Yankees have only won once in the 21st).

          Reply
        • socraticgadfly

          6 years ago

          Who IS your team? Let us know so we can dog on you.

          1
          Reply
        • hollidayfever

          6 years ago

          Derpy Cubs fan (CF) troll probably, given the copious amount of sour grapes he/she is exhibiting. Numbers don’t lie, whether they be lifetime or over virtually and period. I mean the Cubs window likely closed this year and they bet on the wrong horses. Nobody is trading much of anything for Schwarber. Almora, Happ, etc are average at best. Theo has drafted like a billion pitchers and still doesn’t have a home grown one on the 25 man as of 2019. That’s remarkably bad. Lucky you guys capitalized on all those big FA pitcher contracts by winning multiple pennants and WS rings!

          Reply
  2. uofix3

    6 years ago

    Can you imagine this roster under Matheny? There’s no way in the world that Gant would have been left off, regardless of how awful he’s been in the second half. Likely the same for O’Neill and Arozarena.

    I could see Mike pressuring the front office to include Wacha…

    1
    Reply
    • spidah_carbone

      6 years ago

      He would have Randy Choate on the phone as we speak.

      1
      Reply
    • Lanidrac

      6 years ago

      You’re wrong. Even under Matheny, the Cardinals have prioritized hot rookies over under-performing more established players on their playoff rosters, such as when Wacha and Wong made the 2013 playoff roster as unproven rookies.

      Reply
    • socraticgadfly

      6 years ago

      Some blind-squirrel type Cards fan (they exist) was talking a couple of weeks ago about how “Gant won all these games in a row.” Idiots who still don’t get sabermetrics, even the 101 version.

      Reply
  3. Francys01

    6 years ago

    Excited to see my Cards in the postseason. Let’s go Cardinals.

    3
    Reply
  4. lonestardodger

    6 years ago

    Arozarena is a good inclusion for his value as a pinch runner/defensive replacement for Martinez late in the game.

    Reply
    • batty

      6 years ago

      Martinez is going to be relegated to the bench. He shouldn’t be starting any game.

      1
      Reply
      • Lanidrac

        6 years ago

        …unless it’s as a DH in the World Series,but then he wouldn’t need a late-inning defensive replacement anyway.

        Reply
    • socraticgadfly

      6 years ago

      It’s an “interesting gamble” in my book. With Inciarte unavailable, Atlanta doesn’t have that outfield flexibility at all.

      Reply
  5. batty

    6 years ago

    I actually like the roster build. I was afraid both Gant and O’Neill would be on it, but intelligence prevailed. I sure hope Hudson isn’t needed in relief and makes the game 3 start, though.

    1
    Reply
  6. DarkSide830

    6 years ago

    im sorry, but second half stats or not, how are you including Bader over O’Neill and Cabrera over Gant?

    Reply
    • spudchukar

      6 years ago

      What? O’Neill over Bader? Are you high?

      2
      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        6 years ago

        okay, forgive me for thinking the one that can actually hit may be the better choice.

        Reply
        • spudchukar

          6 years ago

          Which would be valid if O’Neill could actually hit.

          2
          Reply
        • vtadave

          6 years ago

          O’Neill’s last 57 PA: .157/.246/.176.

          2
          Reply
        • CFAP

          6 years ago

          Neither of them can hit, but Bader can twirl his bat. He won the tiebreaker.

          2
          Reply
        • Lanidrac

          6 years ago

          Bader since returning from AAA: .222/.322/.413 for a .735 OPS and a 96 wRC+

          Still not that good, but his defense and speed make up for it.

          1
          Reply
        • CFAP

          6 years ago

          Bader’s defense is vastly over rated.

          Reply
        • Dad

          6 years ago

          Wrong

          3
          Reply
        • CFAP

          6 years ago

          Wrong

          Reply
        • socraticgadfly

          6 years ago

          13 defensive runs saved. Dude, who IS “your team” so we can kick you in the nads?

          Reply
        • socraticgadfly

          6 years ago

          Wrong.

          Reply
        • rayrayner

          6 years ago

          My guess is CFAP aka PlotThickens aka NickStevens maybe aka Cardinals17 is a Cardinals fan who hates Mozeliak and Jon Jay.

          1
          Reply
        • CFAP

          6 years ago

          Maybe I’m the Lone Ranger? Or Batman? I could even be Mayhem from Allstate? Got any more guesses?

          Reply
    • CFAP

      6 years ago

      Gant shoulder strain. Another in the long list of ruined relief pitchers in today’s game. If I was a pitcher, I would hate to be relegated to bullpen duty. Especially with this club.

      Reply
      • Lanidrac

        6 years ago

        Gant pitched 163 innings combined between the Majors and AAA last year, mostly as a starter. Naturally, this season he was often pitching multiple innings early in the season as a hybrid long reliever / setup man, then his workload was deservedly reduced in the second half for a total of 66.1 IP. How can you say he was overused?

        Reply
        • cards81

          6 years ago

          CFAP thinks he knows everything…when in fact he does not

          1
          Reply
        • CFAP

          6 years ago

          39 games Gant was used in the 1st half. Once they realized he was toast, they cut him back to 25 in the 2nd half. How do I know he was overused? Unlike Cards81 assessment of me, I KNOW THE GAME AND WATCH IT. A 2nd half ERA of 6.65 told me he was not right. A WHIP of 2.03 with 21 K to 19 BB told me that too. His location was bad. He was hurt. I’m not a genius, but I can see what is real.

          Reply
        • spudchukar

          6 years ago

          Then you should know that Bader’s defense isn’t overrated.

          Reply
        • CFAP

          6 years ago

          Sabremetric defensive formula is extremely flawed. So he’s fast. That doesn’t mean he runs good routes to the ball or gets good jumps on the ball etc. It simply means he can cover his mistakes better than most. He likes to be dramatic and dive all over the field. That hot doggedness does nothing for me. He’s slightly above average on the eye test.

          Reply
        • Lanidrac

          6 years ago

          Just because Gant’s performance declined doesn’t necessarily mean he was overused or hurt. There are plenty of possible explanations. Meanwhile, his inning totals clearly indicate he was not overused.

          Reply
        • Lanidrac

          6 years ago

          Sure, Bader is no Jim Edmonds when it comes to routes or jumps, but like you said his speed and glove more than make up for it. When you combine the two factors, Bader still makes better plays (the routine or spectacular) than any other CF in the game right now, so he’s still a deserving Gold Glove CF despite his issues.

          Now if he also learns to become elite with his routes and jumps, he might be the next coming of Willie Mays (defensively speaking)!

          Reply
        • stan lee the manly

          6 years ago

          Lol, slightly above average based on the eye test. You kill me man. He was second to only Byron Buxton in out percentage on five star catches. As in, all of the catches with extremely low catch probability. A slightly above average centerfielder doesn’t make those plays, this is just straight-up denial.

          Reply
        • CFAP

          6 years ago

          There’s no other possible explanations when watching a pitcher decline mid season like Gant did. None. He’s either worn out or hurt. Or he got busted at an east side strip club and is worried the media will find out. Then those horrible media hounds like Bernie Miklasz, Derrick Goold and Randy Karraker will really tear him apart. Not.

          Reply
    • Lanidrac

      6 years ago

      If you look at the full season stats, then no Bader wouldn’t deserve it, but he has hit much better since his found his stroke during his demotion to AAA.

      Reply
  7. FattKemp

    6 years ago

    Steve, you are doomed.

    Reply
  8. spudchukar

    6 years ago

    It won’t matter that much. With the days off Flaherty should be in line for a game seven. Of course there may not be a game seven, so then only one start by the Red Bird ace will hurt.

    Reply
    • deuceder

      6 years ago

      there will definitely not be a game seven

      7
      Reply
      • spudchukar

        6 years ago

        Well maybe the Red Birds can close it out at home, but most likely it will take 2 great starts from Flaherty to put St. Louis over the top.

        Reply
        • oldprince

          6 years ago

          2 and 5. 5 is in Atlanta, if needed.

          Reply
        • spudchukar

          6 years ago

          So is 2. Your point?

          Reply
    • oldprince

      6 years ago

      It’s a 5 game series. Flaherty in games 2 and 5.

      1
      Reply
      • Lanidrac

        6 years ago

        Flaherty would be pitching on short rest in Game 5. The Cardinals may not want to risk that, plus it would allow him to start Game 1 of the NLCS if the Cardinals get there.

        Reply
        • oldprince

          6 years ago

          Game 2 is Friday. Game 5 is Wednesday. 5 days and 4 days rest. If it goes 5 you don’t save him for the next round.

          Reply
        • spudchukar

          6 years ago

          Yeah mybad on the 7, I knew that as you can tell from the rest of the comment, but Flaherty would not be pitching on short rest due to the 2 days off.

          Reply
        • CFAP

          6 years ago

          Glad to see you were a good sport about it. Had to poke fun.

          Reply
        • Lanidrac

          6 years ago

          Oh, you’re right. Never mind.

          Reply
        • Rob B

          6 years ago

          Nope, really couldn’t tell … seemed like you were clueless there

          Reply
    • braves25

      6 years ago

      There is absolutely NOT going to be a game 7…it is only a 5 game series! Flaherty is setup to pitch 2 and 5 if there is a game 5.

      Reply
    • CFAP

      6 years ago

      Did the 5 game series go over your head? Or is this new math you learned somewhere us Earthlings don’t know?

      Reply
  9. desertbull

    6 years ago

    Braves in 4

    Reply
    • CFAP

      6 years ago

      Braves in 9

      Reply
      • oldprince

        6 years ago

        Cardinals in 7 with Flaherty winning game 7!

        Reply
  10. CardsFan77

    6 years ago

    I think Cardinals in 4 if Mikolas wins today.. Ita sets the table for Flahrity to do what he does tomorrow and the 2 chances at home

    1
    Reply
    • uncle mike

      6 years ago

      If Mike Matheney was Manager…..I have no doubt he’d start Matt Carpenter and have him bat leadoff

      1
      Reply
      • Rob B

        6 years ago

        But he isn’t manager anymore so you can move on.

        Reply
      • CFAP

        6 years ago

        If Matheny was still manager they would be playing golf today.

        Reply
  11. jimmertee

    6 years ago

    St Louis Cardinals are my pick to win the World Series. #Scoutseyes

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Max Meyer To Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery

    Whit Merrifield Announces Retirement

    White Sox Sign Noah Syndergaard To Minor League Deal

    Corbin Carroll Placed On IL With Wrist Fracture

    Reds Designate Jeimer Candelario For Assignment

    Hoops Rumors Has The Latest On NBA Draft, Free Agency

    Mets Option Francisco Alvarez

    Reds To Promote Chase Burns For MLB Debut

    A.J. Puk Undergoes Elbow Surgery; Gabriel Moreno Diagnosed With Fractured Finger

    Mariners Designate Rowdy Tellez For Assignment

    Braves To Select Didier Fuentes

    Anthopoulos On Trading Chris Sale: “Will Not Happen”

    Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg In “Advanced” Talks To Sell Team

    Rafael Devers To Start Work At First Base With Giants

    Giants Acquire Rafael Devers

    Shohei Ohtani To Make Dodgers Pitching Debut On Monday

    Roki Sasaki No Longer Throwing; No Timetable For Return

    Nationals To Promote Brady House

    White Sox, Brewers Swap Aaron Civale, Andrew Vaughn

    Justin Martínez To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Recent

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Houston Astros

    Mets To Select Jonathan Pintaro

    Blue Jays To Acquire Robinson Pina From Marlins

    Genesis Cabrera Elects Free Agency

    Twins, Jose Urena Agree To Minor League Deal

    Max Meyer To Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery

    Padres Release Jason Heyward

    Whit Merrifield Announces Retirement

    Orioles Sign Jacob Stallings To Minor League Deal

    Tigers To Select Dietrich Enns For Thursday’s Game

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version