<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-injury-updates-brewers-clash');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals gets 4 injury updates before Brewers clash');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/St.-Louis-sets-worrying-franchise-history-vs.-Athletics-1.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals gets 4 injury updates before Brewers clash</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-12T17:51:13-07:00">September 12th, 5:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-12T17:51:13-07:00">September 12th, 5:51pm</time><address><a>Zachary Draves</a>Zachary Draves is a sportswriter and broadcaster based in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. Zachary covers a variety of different sports as well as sports history, sport and society, and sport and culture. He is also a professor of sociology.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>On Friday, the St. Louis Cardinals begin a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. A series in which <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-masyn-winn-to-continue-playing-after-meniscus-tear-diagnosis" rel="noopener">some players remain hobbled as a result of injury</a>. </p><p>Before the first game, the Cardinals <a href="https://x.com/katiejwoo/status/1966606350063894876" rel="noopener">provided news</a> about the status of four of their players, per Katie Woo of The Athletic. Altogether, utility player Brendan Donovan and pitcher John King are both activated off the IL.</p><p>Additionally, infielder José Fermín and pitcher Nick Raquet are being sent down to Triple-A Memphis.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-st-louis-brendan-donovan-injury-update" rel="noopener">Donovan is coming off a battle with a groin and foot injury</a>. Meanwhile, King is making his return for the first time since July. At that time, he endured an oblique strain followed by a mid-back strain. </p><p>Earlier in the year, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-john-king-bullpen-relief-pitcher" rel="noopener">King made the transition from starting pitcher to reliever</a>. Fermin and Raquet being sent down to the minors is done to make room for Donovan and King to return. </p><p>At this point, the Cardinals are standing at 72-75 and are in fourth place in the National League Central. They are facing a Brewers team that is on the cusp of winning the division. </p><h2><b>How the Cardinals should finish the rest of the season on a good note</b></h2><p>The Cardinals are not destined for the playoffs this time around. However, they can still complete what is left of the season feeling positive. </p><p>At this point, the best options they have are in the areas of player development, reorienting the pitching staff, and generating excitement for the future. They can look to get the most out of young talent such as RF Jordan Walker and 2B Nolan Gorman. Altogether, the Cardinals have one of the strongest farm systems and can build up prospects quite smoothly. </p><p>Furthermore, this would give time for pitcher Sonny Gray to bounce back following a struggling season. Additionally, they are trying to maximize the potential of their veteran pitchers, Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz, and hope to secure them for the future. </p><p>Altogether, if the Cardinals can finish the season with some wins, it could generate buzz for what could come during the offseason. </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals gets 4 injury updates before Brewers clash

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-masyn-winn-to-continue-playing-after-meniscus-tear-diagnosis');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals’ Masyn Winn to continue playing after meniscus tear diagnosis');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Cardinals-shortstop-Masyn-Winn-0-reacts-after-lining-out.jpg"><figcaption>© Denis Poroy-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals’ Masyn Winn to continue playing after meniscus tear diagnosis</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-10T00:16:21-07:00">September 10th, 12:16am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-10T00:16:21-07:00">September 10th, 12:16am</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-st-louis-sets-worrying-franchise-history-athletics">St. Louis Cardinals may not be officially eliminated</a> from the playoff race yet, but they may as well be; they are 4.5 games behind the New York Mets for the third and final NL Wild Card spot with four teams ahead of them in the standings. Their 5-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday won’t help matters at all for them, but they simply are not just going to give up without a fight — especially franchise cornerstone Masyn Winn.</p><p>Winn was held out by the Cardinals for their Tuesday night contest against the Mariners, with Thomas Saggese starting at shortstop. While it’s not quite clear if this is a one-off for the youngster or if he’ll need to miss more games, it has become evident that the meniscus tear he suffered is bothering him to the point that he needed to take a day off.</p><p>But like the wide-eyed 23-year-old rising star that he is, the Cardinals shortstop wants to play as long as his body will allow him to even though he recognized that something may have to be done to alleviate the pain that <a href="https://x.com/katiejwoo/status/1965644727765926056" rel="noopener">he’s experiencing</a>.</p><p>“Some stuff is going to have to be done this offseason to help me out. I want to finish the year as strong as possible. I was told I probably can’t do too much worse to it. If I can’t hurt myself any further because of this, then I want to be out there,” Winn said, per Katie Woo of The Athletic.</p><p>Considering how important Winn is to the Cardinals franchise, expect them to be very cautious when it comes to handling his injury problems. But it is admirable that he wants to give it his all until the very end, endearing himself even more to Cardinals fans in the process.</p><h2><b>Masyn Winn is the Cardinals’ franchise cornerstone</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Masyn-Winn-fielding-a-ball-for-the-Cardinals.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Winn has done nothing but be productive for the Cardinals in his first two full big-league seasons; in two seasons, he’s recorded 7.1 WAR (per Fangraphs), with his value coming mostly <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-masyn-winn-best-defender-claim-st-louis-teammate">from his elite defense</a> at the toughest position to handle in the infield.</p><p>The 23-year-old may have a leap in him still from the plate; in his rookie year, he had a wRC+ of 104, which is at least above league-average. This year, however, that has dropped to 91 — with his power production falling off. But<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-masyn-winn-honest-admission-hitting-approach"> he’s very young and has a bright future ahead</a> of him, and improving is not a matter of if, but when, for the Cardinals franchise cornerstone — provided, of course, that he manages to shake off the injury bug that may be hampering his production.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals’ Masyn Winn to continue playing after meniscus tear diagnosis

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-garrett-hampson-dfa-failed-project');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals DFA former Rockies’ top prospect in failed project');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Garrett-Hampson.jpg"><figcaption>Tim Vizer-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals DFA former Rockies’ top prospect in failed project</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-08T17:06:37-07:00">September 8th, 5:06pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-08T17:06:37-07:00">September 8th, 5:06pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Colorado Rockies</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The St. Louis Cardinals made a roster move Monday that felt more like formality than surprise. Utility player Garrett Hampson, once a top prospect in the Colorado Rockies system, was designated for assignment after just 35 games in St. Louis. The roster move clears space for Alec Burleson’s activation from the injured list, left-hander Nick Raquet’s call-up from Triple-A Memphis, and the optioning of right-hander Andre Granillo.</p><p>At 72-72, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-st-louis-sets-worrying-franchise-history-athletics">Cardinals sit at .500</a>, clinging to slim postseason hopes with a roster stretched thin. The club ranks 16th in MLB in runs scored and 21st in team ERA — indicators of underperformance on both offense and the mound. Defensive miscues and a -40 run differential further highlight a team still searching for rhythm and reliability. The DFA of Hampson now stands as yet another misstep in a season defined by inconsistency and missed opportunities.</p><p>Originally claimed off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds in June, Hampson was meant to offer depth during a wave of injuries. Instead, he hit just .103 in 29 at-bats with one RBI and no extra-base hits. Over his final 10 games, he went 0-for-12. The move, <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-garrett-hampson-booted-off-40-man-roster/" rel="noopener">confirmed in</a> an update on CBSSports.com by the Rotowire staff, ends a short stint that failed to spark any offensive impact.</p><p>Hampson ranked as a Top 5 prospect in the Rockies system, viewed as a high-floor player with plus speed and defensive versatility. He earned a future value (FV) grade of 50, projecting as a solid long-term major league contributor.</p><p>The designation for assignment comes as the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-will-nolan-arenado-return-injury-during-2025-season">Cardinals continue to deal with a long list of injuries</a>. Key players like Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan, Jordan Walker, and Nolan Gorman have all missed time, forcing the team to adjust its roster throughout the year. With Burleson returning and younger players needing more opportunities, Hampson’s role became expendable. His release is another sign of a 2025 season the Cardinals are ready to move past.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals DFA former Rockies’ top prospect in failed project

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/san-francisco-giants/giants-news-justin-verlanders-historic-night-wasted-loss-cardinals');   ga('set', 'title', 'Giants star Justin Verlander’s historic night wasted in painful loss to Cardinals');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/San-Francisco-Giants-pitcher-Justin-Verlander-pitches.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Giants star Justin Verlander’s historic night wasted in painful loss to Cardinals</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-06T20:51:31-07:00">September 6th, 8:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-06T20:51:31-07:00">September 6th, 8:51pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cardinals-news-jordan-walker-stuns-giants-walk-off-hit-complete-rally">San Francisco Giants lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2</a> on Saturday night at Busch Stadium, featuring Justin Verlander pitching a masterful outing, only to watch a historic performance evaporate in a heartbreaking defeat.</p><p>In his 20th major league season, he threw six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits, no walks, and striking out six on 88 pitches. In the sixth inning, Verlander <a href="https://x.com/SFGiants/status/1964495543918612742/photo/1" rel="noopener">notched a career milestone</a> by fanning Nolan Gorman for the second out, his 3,535th career strikeout, passing Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry to move into eighth place on the all-time strikeout list.</p><p>The 42-year-old finished the night with nine swings and misses, employing a combination of a 94-mph four-seam fastball, sliders, and sweepers to dominate the Cardinals’ No. 2-3-4 hitters, Ivan Herrera, Gorman, and Masyn Winn, each seeing him for the third time.</p><p>Verlander’s night was historically significant beyond strikeouts. This was only his second career regular-season start at Busch Stadium, the only park where he had never recorded a victory. He also pitched in the 2006 World Series in St. Louis, losing the decisive Game 5 as a rookie.</p><p>In his past three starts, Verlander has allowed just two runs across 17 innings while striking out 21 and walking six. He left the game in line for a win, only for it to slip away in the ninth inning.</p><p>Ryan Walker, the Giants’ closer, entered the ninth with a two-run lead but quickly unraveled. After allowing singles to Nolan Gorman and Masyn Winn, and hitting Jimmy Crooks to load the bases, Walker surrendered a run-scoring single to Thomas Saggese.</p><p>Jordan Walker then delivered a career-first two-run double down the left-field line, giving the Cardinals a dramatic 3-2 walk-off victory. Riley O’Brien (4-0) earned the win for the Cardinals.</p><p>The Giants had initially taken the lead with a two-run fourth inning against Cardinals starter Andre Pallante. Casey Schmitt hit a sacrifice fly to score Dominic Smith, followed by an RBI double from Drew Gilbert, driving in Matt Chapman. Pallante allowed two runs on five hits over six innings, striking out three while walking one, his first quality start since July 28.</p><p>The Giants, however, were unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities later in the game. Victor Scott II was thrown out attempting to steal third, and the team went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. San Francisco’s streak of games with a home run ended at 18, falling one short of the franchise record set in 1947.</p><p>The loss dropped the Giants to 72-70, four games behind the Mets <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/why-giants-will-clinch-nl-wild-card-spot">for the final wild-card spot</a>, effectively five games due to New York holding the tiebreaker.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Giants star Justin Verlander’s historic night wasted in painful loss to Cardinals

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-jordan-walker-stuns-giants-walk-off-hit-complete-rally');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals’ Jordan Walker stuns Giants with walk-off hit to complete rally');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/St-Louis-Cardinals-teammates-douse-outfielder-Jordan-Walker.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals’ Jordan Walker stuns Giants with walk-off hit to complete rally</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-06T19:51:50-07:00">September 6th, 7:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-06T19:54:28-07:00">September 6th, 7:54pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/giants-news-rafael-devers-willy-adames-go-back-to-back-giants-win-cardinals">St. Louis Cardinals staged a dramatic ninth-inning comeback</a> to defeat the San Francisco Giants 3-2 at Busch Stadium on Saturday, with Jordan Walker <a href="https://x.com/STLSprtsCntrl/status/1964508262205952186" rel="noopener">delivering a walk-off</a>, two-run double that ended a three-run frame. The win improves the Cardinals’ record to 70-72, placing them fourth in the NL Central, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/why-giants-will-clinch-nl-wild-card-spot">while the Giants fall to 72-70</a>, remaining in third place in the NL West.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="es">Jordan W̶a̶l̶k̶e̶r̶ Walk-Off <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STLCards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#STLCards</a> </p><p> <a href="https://t.co/GlIXcDrUV2">pic.twitter.com/GlIXcDrUV2</a></p><p>— STL Sports Central (@STLSprtsCntrl) <a href="https://twitter.com/STLSprtsCntrl/status/1964508262205952186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The game was largely a pitcher’s duel for the first eight innings. Cardinals starter Andre Pallante allowed two runs on five hits over six innings, striking out three and walking one. He also hit two batters and threw two wild pitches, but avoided further damage in a solid outing, marking his first quality start since July 28.</p><p>On the other side, veteran Justin Verlander, in his 20th MLB season, dominated through six innings, allowing three hits and no walks while striking out six. Verlander’s performance included passing Giants Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry on the all-time strikeout list, moving into eighth place with 3,536 career strikeouts.</p><p>The Giants broke the deadlock in the top of the fourth with two runs. Casey Schmitt hit a sacrifice fly to score Dominic Smith, and Drew Gilbert followed with a double that drove in Matt Chapman. The Giants’ offense otherwise struggled against Pallante, relying on small defensive lapses to generate those runs.</p><p>Defensive plays from the Cardinals and timely throws kept the Giants’ scoring limited, including a crucial throw from catcher Patrick Bailey that gunned down Victor Scott II attempting to steal third in the fifth inning.</p><p>The Cardinals’ rally began in the bottom of the ninth against Giants reliever Ryan Walker, who would blow his sixth save of the season. Nolan Gorman and Masyn Wynn singled, and a pitch hit Jimmy Crooks to load the bases with no outs.</p><p>Thomas Saggese followed with an RBI single to bring the Cardinals within one, and Jordan Walker delivered the game-winning hit, ripping a liner through the third baseman’s glove to left field and scoring two runs. The walk-off was Walker’s first career walk-off hit and ended the Giants’ five-game winning streak.</p><p>Not only that, the Giants’ streak of consecutive games with at least one home run ended at 18, just one shy of the franchise record set in 1947.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals’ Jordan Walker stuns Giants with walk-off hit to complete rally

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/san-francisco-giants/giants-news-rafael-devers-willy-adames-go-back-to-back-giants-win-cardinals');   ga('set', 'title', 'Rafael Devers, Willy Adames go back-to-back in Giants win vs Cardinals');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Rafael-Devers-cover-8.jpg"></figure><h1>Rafael Devers, Willy Adames go back-to-back in Giants win vs Cardinals</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-05T23:55:46-07:00">September 5th, 11:55pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-05T23:55:46-07:00">September 5th, 11:55pm</time><address><a>Brayden Haena</a>Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He's a die-hard San Francisco Giants fan and a football fanatic. In addition to sports writing, he works for Arizona Football in the Player Personnel and Recruiting department and formerly served as the Defensive Coordinator for Heritage High School.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/giants-news-rafael-devers-stuns-rockies-with-historic-statcast-feat">San Francisco Giants have chosen the most direct route back</a> into relevance: straight over the wall. They opened Friday night in St. Louis with Rafael Devers launching Michael McGreevy’s sixth pitch 416 feet to right-center and Willy Adames following with a 401-foot shot to left-center. The back-to-back jolts extended San Francisco’s home run streak to 18 games in an 8-2 win over the Cardinals, one shy of the franchise record set by the 1947 New York Giants. It was the fourth time the Giants have gone back-to-back this season — and <a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/05/sf-giants-match-season-high-18-hits-as-seymour-notches-first-career-win/" rel="noopener">the second time in seven games</a> it’s been Devers and Adames doing the honors.</p><p>For a club that was seven games under .500 two weeks ago, everything suddenly looks loud and contagious. San Francisco racked up 18 hits — matching its season high — and has piled up a staggering 70 knocks over its last five games, the most in any five-game span since the franchise moved west. Six starters collected multiple hits Friday, all nine had at least one, and Jung Hoo Lee tied a career high with four.</p><p>Patrick Bailey added three from the nine-spot as the Giants notched their 11th win in 12 games to climb to 72-69, four games back of the Mets and Padres for the final two NL Wild Card berths. “We go into the game feeling good about our offense, and there’s a reason for it. … It’s contagious just like it goes the other way,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Right now, offensively, we feel like we’re as good as we’ve been all year.”</p><h2><b>Giants are positioning themselves for a playoff push</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Willy-Adames-3.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Rookie right-hander Carson Seymour rode that surge and then some. In just his second big-league start, Seymour carried a no-hitter into the fifth and finished five innings of one-run ball, allowing two singles with two strikeouts and one walk for his first MLB victory. Melvin had planned for a short night and a bullpen relay, but Seymour’s early dominance changed the script; San Francisco needed only Matt Gage and Tristan Beck, who recorded a rare three-inning save.</p><p>The postgame celebration was sticky. “My lip was kind of on fire,” Seymour said of the clubhouse condiment bath. “The whole bit, for sure.” Devers’ early thunder has become a theme. Seven of his 16 homers as a Giant have come in the first inning, and he owns a 1.010 OPS in the opening frame with San Francisco.</p><p>“Those are things that just happen in baseball,” Devers said through the team interpreter. “I just take every turn the same way.” Seymour felt the jolt. “It gives us energy in the dugout… It’s just contagious.”</p><p>The math is still uphill — FanGraphs pegs San Francisco’s playoff odds around four percent, Baseball-Reference a shade over 11 — but the path is clear. Since Aug. 22 the Giants are averaging 7.5 runs per game, riding a record-chasing long-ball binge that has them one swing from history and, suddenly, within shouting distance of October.</p><p>As Melvin put it: “Home runs have been a huge part of what we’ve been doing here recently, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/benches-clear-in-giants-rockies-clash-after-rafael-devers-home-run">and a lot of it has been Devers in the first inning.</a> He’s on a nice little heater.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rafael Devers, Willy Adames go back-to-back in Giants win vs Cardinals

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-will-nolan-arenado-return-injury-during-2025-season');   ga('set', 'title', 'Will Nolan Arenado return from injury during 2025 season?');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Nolan-Arenado.jpg"><figcaption>© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Will Nolan Arenado return from injury during 2025 season?</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-05T16:26:06-07:00">September 5th, 4:26pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-05T16:26:06-07:00">September 5th, 4:26pm</time><address><a>Guillermo Guajardo</a>Guillermo Guajardo is a dynamic sports presenter with experience on various television channels and digital platforms, most recently with A Tiempo.TV. He is also a multidisciplinary artist with 10 years of experience in acting, directing, writing, and hosting. His work in film has been recognized at international festivals, earning awards for both his performances and directorial projects.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>St. Louis Cardinals third baseman <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-nolan-arenado-crucial-injury-update">Nolan Arenado appears to be closing in on a return</a>, with signs pointing toward a rehab assignment starting early next week. After spending time in Florida rehabbing a persistent right shoulder strain, the All-Star has rejoined the team and <a href="https://x.com/katiejwoo/status/1964090234355716394" rel="noopener">is expected to report to Double-A Springfield</a> on Tuesday or Wednesday, provided the weekend goes smoothly.</p><p>Since Arenado was placed on the injured list shortly after the trade deadline, the team has felt his absence on both offense and defense. While no specific return date was initially given, manager Oliver Marmol’s comments suggest Arenado could return soon during the Cardinals’ upcoming homestand. Arenado has not seen action since August, but this latest development signals the club’s hope to have him back for the final stretch of the 2025 season.</p><p>As the Cardinals await Arenado’s rehab, the team is also managing another key absence. Catcher Willson Contreras began serving a four-game suspension on Friday,<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-willson-contreras-suspension-gets-2-game-reduction"> after Major League Baseball reduced the original six-game ruling.</a> Contreras had been ejected on August 25 following an argument with the umpire and subsequently threw his bat—an action that accidentally struck the team’s hitting coach. Despite the reduced penalty, Contreras will miss the entire series against the San Francisco Giants.</p><p>Contreras began his suspension without any further appeal. In his absence, the team activated catcher Yohel Pozo, who recently came off the concussion list. Pozo will back up behind the plate, while Nolan Gorman is expected to take over at first base during the series.</p><p>In other roster news, Alec Burleson could return as early as Monday without requiring a rehab stint after recovering from right wrist inflammation. His return would provide a much-needed boost to the club’s depth. Meanwhile, Pozo was activated from the IL, and All-Star second baseman Brandon Donovan remains limited by a groin strain, though he has resumed taking batting practice. Marmol did not offer a definitive timetable for Donovan’s return.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Will Nolan Arenado return from injury during 2025 season?

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-willson-contreras-suspension-gets-2-game-reduction');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras has suspension get 2-game reduction');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/St.-Louis-Cardinals-first-baseman-Willson-Contreras.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras has suspension get 2-game reduction</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-05T13:26:42-07:00">September 5th, 1:26pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-05T13:33:22-07:00">September 5th, 1:33pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The St. Louis Cardinals kick off a crucial weekend series against the San Francisco Giants on Friday. However, Oliver Marmol has to find a way to take the Giants down with Nolan Gorman at first base. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-willson-contreras-6-game-suspension">Willson Contreras’ suspension for his reaction to being ejected</a> from a game in late August begins in the opener. However, his suspension is not as long as it used to be.</p><p>Conteras blew up at an umpire who threw him out of a game. The Cardinals slugger threw equipment onto the field, earning him a suspension from Major League Baseball. While the incident happened on August 27, he and the team appealed the suspension to the league. After a week spent analyzing the situation, the suspension shrank from six games to only four.</p><p>Regardless of how long he is out, Marmol has his work cut out for him. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-oli-marmol-doesnt-give-two-ss-about-hot-seat-rumors">Cardinals manager is dealing with rumors about his job security</a> as his squad fights for a playoff spot in the National League. Playing without arguably his best offensive player puts him at a big disadvantage. According to The Athletic’s Katie Woo, Contreras’ absence is <a href="https://x.com/katiejwoo/status/1964050047131074822" rel="noopener">shorter than it originally was</a>.</p><p>“Willson Contreras has had his six-game suspension reduced to four,” Woo said. “He will begin serving that suspension today. Other transactions: Yohel Pozo (concussion) reinstated from IL. César Prieto was optioned to Memphis.”</p><p>St. Louis is not out of playoff contention yet, but it does not look good. Despite upsetting other general managers by winning earlier this season, the Cardinals’ postseason hopes hang by a thread. Winning a series against the Giants would help, but doing so without Contreras in the lineup is a tough task.</p><p>Contreras could return early next week as St. Louis’ regular season winds down. If Marmol and his team can survive without him for the time being, he could come back and be a spark that the Cardinals need.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras has suspension get 2-game reduction

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/3-free-agents-cardinals-must-pursue-in-offseason');   ga('set', 'title', '3 free agents Cardinals must pursue in offseason');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/3-free-agents-Cardinals-must-pursue-in-offseason.jpg"></figure><h1>3 free agents Cardinals must pursue in offseason</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-05T10:53:59-07:00">September 5th, 10:53am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-05T11:15:24-07:00">September 5th, 11:15am</time><address><a>RB Hayek</a>RB Hayek has been writing about sports for over a decade and is currently a member of ClutchPoints' editorial team after primarily focusing on betting content. In addition, he is also a published author of thriller novels, available on Amazon.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The St. Louis Cardinals are still technically alive in the playoff race. However, it does not look promising. When the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/new-york-mets/mets-news-new-york-ryan-helsley-trade-cardinals">Cardinals traded Ryan Helsley to the New York Mets</a>, many presumed they were selling. The Cardinals’ free-agency period might be a curious case. That is because they are a medium-market team that is cautious with their money.</p><p>Therefore, they might be selective with MLB free agents. With MLB free agency coming, there will be rumors. Ultimately, the Cards will try to get better in the MLB offseason.</p><p>With many MLB free agents available, there will be a flurry of activity. Yet for a team like the Cards, not every player is the best fit for them. Remember, this is a team that has a lot of youth. Masyn Winn, Alec Burleson, Brendan Donovan, and Lars Nootbaar are part of that youth movement that has been part of this lineup. But that doesn’t mean they should abandon MLB free agency.</p><p>The three MLB free agents on this list all have one thing in common: they are all underperforming this season. As a result, it may lower their values. When that happens, these players should be relatively less expensive. Therefore, they would be better options for the Cards.</p><h2><b>Cardinals should add Zac Gallen in the MLB offseason</b></h2><p>Zac Gallen has seen his <a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/zac-gallen-668678?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb" rel="noopener">metrics down all across the board,</a> according to Baseball Savant. Despite this, there have been some golden moments. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers/dodgers-news-dave-roberts-zac-gallen-start">Gallen recently shut out the Los Angeles Dodgers</a> for six innings, displaying that his elite skills were still present. However, that has not been the case that often this season.</p><p>Gallen is 11-13 with a 4.77 ERA. Sadly, it’s been mostly a rough ride for him throughout the season. But consider his history. Gallen went 14-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 2024 and 17-9 with a 3.47 ERA in 2023. Likewise, he had a 12-4 record with a 2.54 ERA. A pessimist would correctly point out that the mechanics have dropped, and his ERA has steadily risen. On the flipside, Gallen has bounced back in the past and shown that he can pitch well over a long period. That makes him an ideal candidate for the Cards.</p><p>Gallen could join a rotation that includes Matthew Liberatore, Miles Mikolas, and Andre Pallante. Also, Sonny Gray could re-sign, but the Cards will need help for a rotation that is 25th in team ERA.</p><h2><b>Kyle Tucker would add some power to the lineup</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kyle-Tucker-hits-a-home-run.jpg"><figcaption>Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>The Cards lack power. They are just 26th in home runs and 27th in slugging percentage. They could use a power bat, which they have not had since they allowed Paul Goldschmidt to walk. Thus, they could do well by signing Kyle Tucker.</p><p>Other teams might target the power hitter. Notably, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/mlb-rumors-kyle-tuckers-free-agency-draws-mookie-betts-comp-as-phillies-giants-loom" rel="noopener">San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies are likely to pursue Tucker,</a> making him a highly valued player in the MLB offseason.</p><p>Tucker has done well this season, batting .270 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 89 runs over 133 games. Although those are not as good as his usual stats, they’re still good enough to warrant attention. Tucker would serve two purposes for the Cards. First, he would provide power. Second, he would have a chance to torment the Cubs 13 times a year.</p><p>If the Cardinals want a veteran power hitter who could take pressure off the younger players in the lineup, then Tucker would be perfect. He would provide a value to the batting order they don’t currently have.</p><h2><b>Devin Williams is one of the best closers in MLB free agency</b></h2><p>The Cardinals don’t currently have a permanent closer after trading theirs. Therefore, they might want to consider getting a new one in the offseason. Devin Williams could be a great addition to the team.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/new-york-yankees/yankees-news-how-aaron-boone-plans-to-use-devin-williams-amid-struggles">Williams has struggled in his only season</a> with the New York Yankees. Regretfully, it’s been an awful season for him, as he is 3-6 with a 5.60 ERA and 18 saves, nine holds, and four blown saves.</p><p>But Williams had produced in the past. Last season, he went 1-0 with a 1.25 ERA and 14 saves and just one blown save. Williams went 8-3 with a 1.53 ERA with 36 saves and four blown saves in 2023. There is potential for Williams to bounce back and become the elite closer he once was. Additionally, he has extensive experience pitching against the National League Central after pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers for years.</p><p>Williams might also cost less based on his struggles. Overall, there might be more motivation for him to want to prove this season was a fluke. Williams could also serve as the ultimate shutdown man and at least provide the bullpen with some confidence in the back end. If the Cardinals want to contend next season, they need good pitching. Williams can be the guy who solidifies their bullpen.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

3 free agents Cardinals must pursue in offseason

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-st-louis-sets-worrying-franchise-history-athletics');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals set worrying franchise history vs. Athletics');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/St.-Louis-sets-worrying-franchise-history-vs.-Athletics-2.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals set worrying franchise history vs. Athletics</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-04T16:08:03-07:00">September 4th, 4:08pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-04T16:08:03-07:00">September 4th, 4:08pm</time><address><a>Richard Pereira</a>Richard Pereira joined ClutchPoints in January 2025 as an Associate Editor. He earned his degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2023 and has been covering the school's athletic programs since 2020, having served as a Sports Editor at the FAU University Press. He was granted the unique opportunity to report on the men's basketball team's journey to the Final Four in Houston for FAU Owls Nest during March Madness, consistently striving to grow as a sports journalist.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The St. Louis Cardinals made concerning franchise history during their <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-ivan-herrera-speaks-tying-kyle-schwarber-clutch-mark">series finale against the Athletics</a> on Sunday.</p><p>Going into the contest, both teams were even at one game apiece as they needed to win the tiebreaker. The Cardinals prevailed as they beat the Athletics 5-1 to claim the series.</p><p>However, not a lot of people decided to turn out for the matchup. The Athletic’s Katie Woo reported that the team’s official attendance for the game was 17,00. It <a href="https://x.com/katiejwoo/status/1963052725819867608" rel="noopener">marked the lowest in the history</a> of Busch Stadium III, not including COVID restrictions.</p><p>“New season-low (and stadium history-low) attendance for tonight’s Cardinals/A’s game,” Woo said. “Official attendance: 17,002.”</p><h2><b>How Cardinals played against Athletics</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/St.-Louis-sets-worrying-franchise-history-vs.-Athletics-1.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Cardinals remained in competition for a playoff spot following their win over the Athletics on Sunday.</p><p>St. Louis took a 2-0 lead after three innings and grew it to three after seven frames. The Athletics got their first score on the board in the eighth inning, but the Cardinals fired back with two more runs to obtain the win.</p><p>Willson Contreras and Nolan Gorman had great displays on offense. They landed six hits in their seven at-bats, including a solo shot in the seventh frame.</p><p>The Cardinals’ bullpen did an excellent job at holding the Athletics to one run. They held them to nine hits after 35 at-bats, only giving up the home run in the eighth inning. Matthew Liberatore earned the win as he lasted 5.1 innings on the mound, striking out seven batters while allowing four hits. Meanwhile, JoJo Romero received the save.</p><p>St. Louis improved to a 70-71 record on the season, holding the fourth spot of the NL Central Division standings. They are 0.5 games behind the Cincinnati Reds and 10.5 games behind the Chicago Cubs.</p><p>The Cardinals will prepare for their next series, being at home. They host the San Francisco Giants as Game 1 will take place on Sept. 5 at 8:15 p.m. ET.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals set worrying franchise history vs. Athletics

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-yadier-molina-giants-series-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals get exciting Yadier Molina update for Giants series');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Cardinals-news-St-Louis_-latest-status-update-on-Yadier-Molina_s-2024-role.jpg"></figure><h1>Cardinals get exciting Yadier Molina update for Giants series</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-03T22:08:02-07:00">September 3rd, 10:08pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-03T22:08:02-07:00">September 3rd, 10:08pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The St. Louis Cardinals are bringing a familiar face back into the dugout for this weekend’s series against the San Francisco Giants, as franchise legend Yadier Molina will join manager Oliver Marmol and the coaching staff for all three games of the series. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/1-disappointing-player-cardinals-must-trade-in-offseason">While the Cardinals remain outside the playoff picture</a>, the club continues to emphasize leadership, culture, and player development as it approaches the final stretch of a challenging season.</p><p>BND.com’s Jeff Jones took to X (formerly known as Twitter), reporting that Molina would <a href="https://x.com/jmjones/status/1963440152329539589" rel="noopener">once again join the club</a> in a guest coaching role during the upcoming home series.</p><p>“Yadier Molina will be back in the Cardinals dugout this weekend. As with before, he’ll be a guest of Oli Marmol and the coaching staff for all three games against the Giants”</p><p>This will mark Molina’s second appearance in the Cardinals dugout this season, following a similar guest coaching role during a series against the Chicago Cubs earlier this summer. Retired after the 2022 season, the future Hall of Fame catcher spent his entire 19-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals, earning 10 All-Star selections, nine Gold Glove awards, and winning two World Series championships.</p><p>While news around the Cardinals has largely shifted toward player development and offseason speculation, Molina’s presence still brings meaningful value. He’s expected to mentor young players like catcher Jimmy Crooks III and outfielder Jordan Walker, giving them firsthand access to one of the most respected veterans in franchise history.</p><p>The Cardinals dugout also benefits from the symbolic impact. With St. Louis currently sitting below .500, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-yadier-molina-reveals-what-he-misses-about-playing-baseball">Molina’s return</a> gives fans and players a reminder of the team’s championship pedigree.</p><p>Though Marmol remains in charge, some fans believe Molina’s increased involvement could signal a future coaching or managerial transition. Regardless, his return adds excitement as the Cardinals face a red-hot Giants club that has taken 10 of their last 11 games.</p><p>As speculation swirls, one thing remains clear — the legendary catcher’s presence in the dugout continues to connect the Cardinals’ championship past with their developing future.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals get exciting Yadier Molina update for Giants series

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-ivan-herrera-speaks-tying-kyle-schwarber-clutch-mark');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals’ Ivan Herrera speaks up after tying Kyle Schwarber’s clutch mark');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Cardinals-designated-hitter-Ivan-Herrera-48-reacts-after-hitting-a-two-run-home-run.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals’ Ivan Herrera speaks up after tying Kyle Schwarber’s clutch mark</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-02T23:41:10-07:00">September 2nd, 11:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-02T23:41:10-07:00">September 2nd, 11:41pm</time><address><a>Rexwell Villas</a>Rexwell Villas is an experienced sports writer covering a variety of sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football. He's a Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and he claims to have JR Smith's conscience with his shot selection. He has won a basketball, a baseball, and a football championship in fantasy all within a year.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Needing wins amid their <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-attendance-decline-2025">flickering chances to make the MLB playoffs</a>, the St. Louis Cardinals scored a dramatic victory on Tuesday in the second game of their three-game series against the visiting Athletics at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.</p><p>Runs were hard to come by in the contest, with A’s starter Luis Severino and Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas tossing gems. The A’s got on the board first with a Nick Kurtz RBI double in the top of the third inning. But the Cardinals got the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, where St. Louis designated hitter Ivan Herrera <a href="https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/ivan-herrera-homers-to-lead-cardinals-past-athletics" rel="noopener">mashed a two-run home run</a>.</p><p>“I don’t know, I’m just trying to hit the ball hard,” said Herrera after the game, per John Denton of MLB.com, who also noted that the Panamanian’s home run tied Philadelphia Phillies star Kyle Schwarber for most go-ahead homers in the sixth inning or later in the National League.</p><p>“If I’m hitting [home runs] in the late innings, that’s good, right? Helping the team win, that’s what I want to do at the end of the day,” added Herrera.</p><p>Herrera took a foul ball on the first pitch, a 91 mph slider, from Athletics reliever Michael Kelly during that at-bat. He then drew a ball in Kelly’s next offering, which was the same slider. When Kelly tried to get Herrera on an 83 mph that found the middle of the strike zone, Herrera turned on it and launched a big 414-foot home run.</p><p>The 25-year-old Herrera now has a two-game home run streak, as he also sent one deep in Monday’s 11-3 loss to the Athletics.</p><p>“This means a lot because all we care about is winning, and that [homer] put us in a really good position to win the game,” Herrera shared. “We got Miles a win because he pitched really good today. I want to help him as much as I can.”</p><p>Herrera, who also had a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-cardinals-rising-star-last-days-behind-plate">stint in the minors</a> this year, now has 13 home runs to go along with 53 RBIs and is batting .287/.368/.450, thus far in the 2025 MLB regular season.</p><p>The Cardinals are still hoping that the dominoes will fall in their favor, as they continue to make a last push to make the playoffs. With a 69-71 record, St. Louis is 16.5 games out of first place in the National League Central and 6.5 games outside of the Wild Card picture in the NL.</p><p> </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals’ Ivan Herrera speaks up after tying Kyle Schwarber’s clutch mark

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-st-louis-brendan-donovan-injury-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals get Brendan Donovan injury update');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Brandon-Donovan-with-STL-Cardinals.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals get Brendan Donovan injury update</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-01T10:50:55-07:00">September 1st, 10:50am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-01T10:50:55-07:00">September 1st, 10:50am</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints, with expertise in MLB, NHL and golf. Chris graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The St Louis Cardinals are on the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/2025-mlb-power-rankings-vol-24-september-playoff-races">outskirts of the National League Wild Card race as September begins.</a> If they have any chance of making the dance, they will need to have all of their best players firing on all cylinders. That starts with an infielder who has been out since August 13. Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan is working his way back from injury, with a s<a href="https://x.com/JohnDenton555/status/1962560069536468993" rel="noopener">olid report on his first workout</a>.</p><p>“[Cardinals] All-Star Brendan Donovan (foot/groin soreness) went through a full workout today with fielding, running, and hitting, and will do the same on Tuesday to monitor his soreness, manager Oli Marmol said. He then could go out on a rehab assignment,” MLB.com’s John Denton reported.</p><p>Donovan made his first All-Star team in his fourth year with the Cardinals in 2025. He was having a brutal second half before the injury, with a .203/.264/.278 slash line with a .543 OPS in 21 games. If he does make it back from injury this season, they need him to be at the level that earned him an All-Star nod.</p><p>The Cardinals have been playing 23-year-0ld Thomas Saggese at second base in Donovan’s absence. He has a .626 OPS in 59 games and has -3 outs above average in 30 games at second base this season. While at second base, Donovan has one out above average.</p><p>The Cardinals could use Donovan’s bat and glove if they are going to make a run at the postseason. But they could use a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-st-louis-concerning-nolan-arenado-injury-roster-move">bigger injury return with Nolan Arenado currently on the shelf</a>. He has been out since August 1 with a shoulder injury and is the bat that could turn their offense around.</p><p>Regardless of who is in the lineup, the Cardinals need to start winning immediately if they want to make the postseason. That starts on Monday at home against the Athletics.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals get Brendan Donovan injury update

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-st-louis-shuts-down-promising-reliever-with-shoulder-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals shut down promising reliever with shoulder injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Cardinals-RP-Riley-OBrien.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals shut down promising reliever with shoulder injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-01T10:38:21-07:00">September 1st, 10:38am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-01T10:38:21-07:00">September 1st, 10:38am</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>While 2025 has not gone the way of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/reds-news-terry-francona-drops-matt-mclain-take-beating-cardinals">the St. Louis Cardinals,</a> the team keeps fighting to finish the season strong. A series win over the Cincinnati Reds has put the Cardinals almost back to .500, as they are 68-70 entering Monday’s season opener against the Athletics. A series sweep would put the back over that mark, but St. Louis received a blow to its bullpen on Monday. MLB.com’s John Denton reported via X (formerly Twitter) that high-leverage reliever Riley O’Brien has been <a href="https://x.com/JohnDenton555/status/1962543790662541366" rel="noopener">shut down from throwing due</a> to his right shoulder.</p><p>“#STLCards RHP Riley O’Brien underwent an MRI on his sore right shoulder this morning and is shut down for the time being until a course of action is set,” reported Denton. “This has been a breakout season for O’Brien, who has been counted on in high-leverage spots and in closing roles.”</p><p>While the soreness could end up being a short-term problem, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-st-louis-pitching-roster-move-brewers-clash">shutting O’Brien down for now</a> is wise. The right-hander has had a breakout 2025, working himself into becoming one of the Cardinals’ key relievers. In 31 games, the 30-year-old is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA to go along with two saves and six holds. Now, the focus will certainly be on O’Brien’s long-term health. Can other late inning relievers like JoJo Romero and Kyle Leahy step up while O’Brien is out?</p><h2><b>Can Cardinals finish 2025 strong, build momentum for future?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Cardinals-RP-JoJo-Romero.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Ever since former closer Ryan Helsley was dealt to the New York Mets at the trade deadline, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol has turned to a rotating cast of relievers in high-pressure shots. O’Brien was one, as the right-hander came out of nowhere to notch a <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/41509/riley-obrien" rel="noopener">1.2 WAR in those 31 appearances.</a></p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-dodgers-insane-catch">Romero, meanwhile, has been</a> a staple of the St. Louis bullpen. The 29-year-old is in the midst of a career campaign, notching five saves and 20 holds in 55 games thus far. He’ll likely team up with Leahy at the back end of the bullpen for the next few weeks. As for Leahy, the 28-year-old has 16 holds and a save himself. As the Cardinals look to finish strong and above .500 on the season, can Romero and Leahy seize the top role in the bullpen from O’Brien? Or will the breakout righty return and cap off an excellent season in strong form?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals shut down promising reliever with shoulder injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/1-disappointing-player-cardinals-must-trade-in-offseason');   ga('set', 'title', '1 disappointing player Cardinals must trade in offseason');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-disappointing-player-Cardinals-must-trade-in-offseason.jpg"></figure><h1>1 disappointing player Cardinals must trade in offseason</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-29T12:51:14-07:00">August 29th, 12:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-29T12:52:11-07:00">August 29th, 12:52pm</time><address><a>RB Hayek</a>RB Hayek has been writing about sports for over a decade and is currently a member of ClutchPoints' editorial team after primarily focusing on betting content. In addition, he is also a published author of thriller novels, available on Amazon.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-st-louis-hits-low-not-seen-since-1997-vs-pirates">St. Louis Cardinals have hit new lows</a> as their mediocre play this season has continued. Now, questions are popping up about their future. There could be a Cardinals roster shakeup in the MLB offseason. Furthermore, a longtime player who has already been in the Cardinals’ trade rumors could be on his way out.</p><p>Despite still being mathematically alive, St. Louis’ <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/mlb?tab=playoffs" rel="noopener">odds to make the playoffs are no longer on the board</a>, according to FanDuel. Safe to say, it’s been a challenging season for fans at Busch Stadium. After finishing 83-79 last season, there was some small hope that the Cards could do well this season. It has not worked out that way as they currently sit at 66-69.</p><p>Many players have disappointed the Cardinals. However, one longtime player could be the catalyst that jump-starts the long-awaited rebuild for the Cards. It’s not something they want to do, but it’s something they might have to. Here is the player the Cardinals must trade in the MLB offseason and everything that led to this.</p><h2><b>The Cardinals have been mediocre in 2025</b></h2><p>The season started well for the Cards. After going 14-10 in April, they went 19-8 in May to be 33-18 going into June. Then they went 14-14 in June before the wheels fell off. The Cards went 8-16 in July, and have gone 11-21 in August.</p><p>Sonny Gray has not done his best, going 12-7 with a 4.19 ERA. Matthew Liberatore has gone 6-11 with a 4.27 ERA. Likewise, Andre Pallante has been worse, going 6-12 with a 5.44 ERA. This rotation has not been particularly strong, ranking 25th in team ERA.</p><p>Meanwhile, this bullpen has been better, ranking fourth in the majors. Because of that, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/new-york-mets/mets-news-new-york-ryan-helsley-trade-cardinals">Cardinals traded Ryan Helsley to the New York Mets</a> to try to upgrade other spots across the roster.</p><p>The offense has been average, ranking 15th in batting average, 16th in on-base percentage, and 14th in runs. Yet, the power has been bad, as they rank 24th in home runs and 22nd in slugging percentage. Part of the issue has been inconsistency across the board.</p><p>While Alec Burleson has been steady, leading the team with 123 hits while batting .286 with 16 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 47 runs, others have not done as well. Willson Contreras is another consistent player in the lineup. So far, he is batting .255 with 19 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 64 runs. However, those two are not part of the issue.</p><p>One longtime player and fan favorite has been steadily declining over the years. While he is currently injured, there is a small chance he could be one of the Cardinals’ trade candidates in the 2025-26 MLB offseason. That player is Nolan Arenado.</p><h2><b>Nolan Arenado’s journey</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Nolan-Arenado-makes-play-on-defense.jpg"><figcaption>Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Arenado recently <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/nolan-arenado-considering-future-after-trade-of-ryan-helsley" rel="noopener">pondered his future with the team</a> after watching them trade Helsley to the Mets. Ultimately, the Cards did not trade him. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-nolan-arenado-crucial-injury-update">Arenado revealed his current injury status</a> and the stage of his recovery process. Injuries have plagued him this season and have contributed to his decline.</p><p>Arenado is batting .235 with 10 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 85 hits this season over 96 games. Last season, he was hitting .274 with 16 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 70 runs while also producing an on-base percentage of .325. The 2023 season was his last real solid season when he was hitting .294 with 41 home runs, 133 RBIs, and 116 runs while producing an on-base percentage of .362.</p><p>A shoulder strain this season has limited him and has prevented him from doing much. Arenado has not even hit a home run since June before he sustained the injury that put him out of action. However, he did slug his 350th career home run, which has not ended the discussions for him going elsewhere.</p><h2>Why Arenado is one of the Cardinals’ trade candidates</h2><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-rumors-st-louis-willing-to-listen-on-nolan-arenado-sonny-gray-trade-offers">Cardinals have listened to offers for Arenado</a>, and there is a good chance they might trade him. Nolan Gorman is pushing for playing time, and there is a chance the Cards could decide to do a complete rebuild. After giving up on Paul Goldschmidt, it might not be such an impossibility that the Cards give up on Arenado, too. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/3-reasons-cardinals-must-trade-nolan-arenado">Cardinals considered trading Arenado</a> last season but opted to keep him. Thus, they remain in the same situation as they did last season.</p><p>A bigger Cardinals roster shakeup looks more possible than ever as the team will likely miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Despite being one of the most beloved players on the team, the time for Arenado might be coming to a close. The Cardinals should trade Arenado to a team that is willing to give up some younger pieces. Although he is 34, Arenado still offers considerable value. If the Cards can find a suitable trade partner, then they can reap the rewards.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

1 disappointing player Cardinals must trade in offseason

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-st-louis-roster-moves-reds-series');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals make multiple roster moves before Reds series');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Alec-Burleson-hits-a-walk-off-home-run-against-Pirates.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals make multiple roster moves before Reds series</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-29T10:59:41-07:00">August 29th, 10:59am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-29T10:59:41-07:00">August 29th, 10:59am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The St. Louis Cardinals are preparing for a National League Central showdown with the Cincinnati Reds. Before their upcoming three-game series, St. Louis <a href="https://x.com/katiejwoo/status/1961474841594167410" rel="noopener">made multiple</a> roster moves, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic.</p><p>“Can confirm @dgoold’s report: #STLCards are calling up Jimmy Crooks and Cesár Prieto from Memphis. One of the corresponding moves: Alec Burleson (wrist) will be placed on the 10 day IL,” Woo wrote on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>Woo <a href="https://x.com/katiejwoo/status/1961478502932169000" rel="noopener">later shared another post</a> on the situation.</p><p>“Per sources: Corresponding moves for Crooks, Prieto are Burleson (IL) and Yohel Pozo (concussion).”</p><p>Crooks, the Cardinals’ <a href="https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/cardinals" rel="noopener">No. 6 overall prospect</a> according to MLB.com, is set to join the big league squad. The 24-year-old catcher has a bright future in the league. Prieto, meanwhile, is a 26-year-old infielder who could make a big impact in St. Louis.</p><p>Pozo, 28, is a catcher/first baseman who is dealing with a concussion according to Woo. He has slashed .242/.273/.392 across 62 games at the MLB level so far in 2025.</p><p>As for Burleson, the versatile 26-year-old lands on the IL with a wrist injury. The move comes just days after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-alec-burleson-gets-real-first-walk-off-hr">Burleson hit a walk-off home run</a> against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He’s hit .286/.337/.451 up to this point in the ’25 campaign.</p><p>It has been a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-st-louis-hits-low-not-seen-since-1997-vs-pirates">difficult season for the Cardinals</a>. St. Louis is fourth in the National League Central standings with a 66-69 record. The Cardinals are 17.0 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the division lead.</p><p>However, the Cardinals are still afloat in the National League Wild Card race. They are currently 6.5 games out of a Wild Card position. St. Louis will need to play well with just over a month of the regular season remaining.</p><p>The team will play the Reds in Cincinnati from Friday-Sunday in a three-game set. The Cardinals will then head back to St. Louis for a six-game homestand against the Athletics and San Francisco Giants.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals make multiple roster moves before Reds series

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-oli-marmol-considering-big-rotation-change-after-pirates-loss');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals’ Oli Marmol considering big rotation change after Pirates loss');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cardinals-manager-Oliver-Marmol-talking-with-media.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals’ Oli Marmol considering big rotation change after Pirates loss</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-26T23:30:31-07:00">August 26th, 11:30pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-26T23:30:31-07:00">August 26th, 11:30pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The St. Louis Cardinals have been painfully mid in 2025, that much is clear especially after they suffered an 8-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night. Their record on the season following that loss is 65-68, and their gradual descent into stagnant mediocrity has been very painful to watch — with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-st-louis-hits-low-not-seen-since-1997-vs-pirates">Cardinals fans responding with historically low</a> attendance records.</p><p>At this point, all the Cardinals could hope for is to end the season on a high note in preparation for a better season in 2026. Just because they aren’t in a position to compete for a playoff spot doesn’t mean that they’re simply going to throw in the towel.</p><p>As for Cardinals manager Oli Marmol, he is considering what some fans would think is a long-overdue <a href="https://x.com/jmjones/status/1960536789912821804" rel="noopener">rotation change</a> after starting pitcher Andre Pallante allowed seven runs on eight hits and one walk in five innings of work.</p><p>“We have to take a look and figure out what’s best for him, but also take into consideration all the other variables of what we have below and what that would look like,” Marmol said, per Jeff Jones of BND. “It’s more than just…there’s more moving parts to it, for sure…We’ll sit down tomorrow and review everything and make a decision on next steps.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-andre-pallante-gets-real-about-bullpen-loss-pirates">Pallante has had some gems in the past</a>, but good pitching performances have come few and far between for the 26-year-old Cardinals starter. Over his past four starts, he’s allowed 22 earned runs, and he’s allowed seven earned runs or more on three separate starts.</p><p>Suffice to say, Pallante hasn’t been doing enough to earn his keep in the Cardinals rotation. And for Marmol, some tough decisions will have to be made.</p><h2><b>Cardinals fans believe a demotion is due for Andre Pallante</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Cardinals-starting-pitcher-Andre-Pallante-during-a-game-against-the-Pirates.jpg"><figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>In 2024, Pallante put up an ERA of 3.78 in 121.1 innings, earning himself a full-time rotation spot for the Cardinals in 2025. But 2025 hasn’t been going according to plan for Pallante. As a result, Cardinals fans have been turning on the 26-year-old, with some welcoming the possibility that Marmol demotes him to the bullpen.</p><p>“Pallante better be off my team in the morning,” X user @cardsfan255 <a href="https://x.com/cardsfan255/status/1960582787162952041" rel="noopener">wrote</a>.</p><p>“This team sucks! Pitching once again is the laughingstock of the league. How about we do what every cardinals fan expects and just give pallante his extension now since we as a franchise love to hold onto 3 of the 5 worst pitchers in the league every season,” @MeintsJavan <a href="https://x.com/MeintsJavan/status/1960567682828321046" rel="noopener">added</a>.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals’ Oli Marmol considering big rotation change after Pirates loss

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-willson-contreras-6-game-suspension');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals’ Willson Contreras receives 6-game suspension');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Willson-Contreras-arguing-with-ump.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals’ Willson Contreras receives 6-game suspension</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-26T15:48:41-07:00">August 26th, 3:48pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-26T16:15:51-07:00">August 26th, 4:15pm</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints, with expertise in MLB, NHL and golf. Chris graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The St Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-6 on an <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-alec-burleson-gets-real-first-walk-off-hr">Alex Burelson walk-off homer on Monday night</a>. They are likely out of the National League Wild Card race, but a hot September could lead to a magical fall in St Louis. That became less likely on Tuesday, when one of their top hitters was suspended. Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras was given a six-game <a href="https://x.com/MLBONFOX/status/1960471666007662781" rel="noopener">suspension for his outburst</a> on Monday night.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">MLB announced that Willson Contreras has received a six-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for his actions during last night's game. Contreras has elected to appeal the suspension. <a href="https://t.co/v6m5bJhwL8">pic.twitter.com/v6m5bJhwL8</a></p><p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1960471666007662781?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“MLB announced that Willson Contreras has received a six-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for his actions during last night’s game. Contreras has elected to appeal the suspension,” Fox Sports: MLB reported on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>Contreras disagreed with a strike call that ended his seventh-inning at-bat and said something to the umpire. Whatever that was got him ejected, which set the designated hitter off on a tirade. Multiple coaches and players were trying to hold him back. It ended with a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-willson-contreras-apologizes-hitting-coach-bat">Cardinals coach getting a bat thrown at him.</a></p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Willson Contreras was so mad at this umpire that he threw a bat that hit his own coach and then launched a bunch of Hi-Chew onto the field <a href="https://t.co/fslJY71FS6">pic.twitter.com/fslJY71FS6</a></p><p>— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/JomboyMedia/status/1960163713337504012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The Cardinals are 5.5 games out of the final National League Wild Card spot, currently occupied by the New York Mets. If Contreras does serve a six-game suspension, their playoff chances will plummet. Despite coming into the season without any expectations, this would be a tough way to see the final flame die out.</p><p>Contreras had a poor start to the season, but has put together great offensive numbers in his first season as a full-time first baseman. He has an .802 OPS and 72 RBI on the campaign, leading the Cardinals in both categories. The 33-year-old is under contract for at least two more seasons, so production into his mid-30s is key.</p><p>The Cardinals continue their series with the Pirates on Tuesday night, and Willson Contreras is in the lineup. While he is appealing the suspension, he is eligible to play.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals’ Willson Contreras receives 6-game suspension

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-alec-burleson-gets-real-first-walk-off-hr');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals’ Alec Burleson gets real on first walk-off HR');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cardinals-Alec-Burleson-gets-ice-bath.jpg"><figcaption>© Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals’ Alec Burleson gets real on first walk-off HR</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-26T08:21:06-07:00">August 26th, 8:21am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-26T08:21:25-07:00">August 26th, 8:21am</time><address><a>Benjamin Adducchio</a>Benjamin Adducchio is a journalist and writer with more than a decade of experience in covering sports news. Ben is a passionate sports fan who loves college football, basketball, and the New York Yankees.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-willson-contreras-apologizes-hitting-coach-bat">St. Louis Cardinals engaged in an epic battle with the Pittsburgh Pirates</a> on Monday night. St. Louis won a thrilling 7-6 game on a walk-off home run from Alec Burleson. Burleson posted his first career walk-off homer, with that moonshot.</p><p>The Cardinals slugger <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/alec-burleson-hits-walk-off-home-run-in-cardinals-win-over-pirates" rel="noopener">talked after the game</a> about what the moment meant to him.</p><p>“It took me a while to realize that I got [the homer] because I didn’t think I got it … and then I saw [the ball] hit the berm,” Burleson said, per MLB.com. “I was thinking about what I was going to do when I rounded third and hit home — was I going to throw my helmet? But I hit third and looked at home and the guys weren’t really there yet. I was like, ‘OK, this is kind of weird. Is this what it’s supposed to look like?’ But they got there, and I got super wet, and they were trying to rip my jersey off. So, yeah, it was a cool moment.”</p><p>The blast came in the bottom of the ninth, after the Pirates had tied the game at 6. It was a 409-foot home run, per the outlet. Following the victory, the Cardinals are now 65-67 on the year.</p><h2><b>Alec Burleson has the trust of the Cardinals</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/St.-Louis-Cardinals-catcher-Willson-Contreras.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Burleson now has 16 home runs on the season, for <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-st-louis-hits-low-not-seen-since-1997-vs-pirates">a Cardinals club that has struggled</a>. He has gone through some challenges this year at the plate.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals’ Alec Burleson gets real on first walk-off HR

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-willson-contreras-disputes-vulgar-accusation-umps');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals’ Willson Contreras disputes ‘vulgar’ accusation from umps');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cardinals-DH-Willson-Contreras-ejected-from-Pirates-game.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals’ Willson Contreras disputes ‘vulgar’ accusation from umps</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-26T07:01:30-07:00">August 26th, 7:01am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-26T07:02:08-07:00">August 26th, 7:02am</time><address><a>Yasmin Edañol</a>Yasmin D.G. Edañol is a PhD candidate in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Diliman, with a background in scientific research and publishing. He brings a data-driven perspective to sports storytelling as an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints, with a focus on the NBA. Whether it's breaking down a clutch play or a stat line, he believes every great moment has a deeper layer waiting to be uncovered.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The St. Louis Cardinals and Willson Contreras <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-willson-contreras-goes-absolutely-ballistic-on-umpire-strike-call">found themselves at the center of controversy after his ejection</a> in matchup against the Pirates. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-willson-contreras-apologizes-hitting-coach-bat">Umpire Derek Thomas ejected the Cardinals catcher in the seventh inning</a> after a called third strike, sparking confusion and frustration. Contreras immediately <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46076376/contreras-ejected-hits-own-coach-bat-cardinals-win" rel="noopener">denied using any vulgar language</a>, contradicting the explanation given by the umpiring crew.</p><p>Contreras said the plate umpire Derek Thomas shocked him by tossing him from the game. He explained that all he did was ask for fair calls on both sides. “I didn’t argue any pitch,” Contreras said. “All I said was, ‘Call the pitches on both sides because you’re missing for us.’ Then I turned around. Next thing I hear, he threw me out. There’s no reason for it.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-oli-marmol-doesnt-give-two-ss-about-hot-seat-rumors">Cardinals manager Oli Marmol</a> came to the defense of his catcher, joining the argument and getting ejected himself. “We’ll have to dive into it to make sure what Willson’s saying is what happened,” Marmol said. “But I believe him.” The incident added intensity to an already tense Cardinals-Pirates series.</p><p>Crew chief Jordan Baker offered a different perspective, stating that Contreras and Marmol were ejected for “saying vulgar stuff” to the plate umpire. Baker also alleged that Contreras made contact during the confrontation. The league will review the tape and handle the matter, leaving open the possibility of further discipline.</p><p>Contreras, however, stood firm on his side of the story. He admitted he struck out on a good pitch but maintained that his comments were respectful. “I knew I struck out on a good pitch,” Contreras said. “But I didn’t say anything inappropriate.”</p><p>The Cardinals ultimately came away with the win, but the focus shifted to Willson Contreras’ ejection and the looming review from Major League Baseball. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-st-louis-hits-low-not-seen-since-1997-vs-pirates">Sitting fourth in the NL Central and 5.5 games back</a> of the final Wild Card spot, the Cardinals still clings to slim postseason hopes. Any suspension could make their uphill climb even tougher.</p><p>Will the MLB review clear Willson Contreras or lead to further drama for the Cardinals?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

St. Louis
Cardinals NEWS

ST. LOUIS

CARDINALS

St. LouisCardinals NEWS

ST. LOUIS

CARDINALS

St. Louis
Cardinals NEWS