Christine: Quinn Mathews just got his first big league win, and now the Cardinals are one win away from a sweep of the Pirates. But can they finish the job? I'm Christine, and we're about to break down everything you need to know before tonight's series finale.
Jason: And I'm Jason. The Birds are sitting at .500, third in the Central, and this is a golden opportunity to gain ground. Let's dive in.
Christine: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, home of the St. Louis Cardinals. We're your daily fix for all things Redbird baseball.
Jason: And today we've got a full preview of the series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It's a day game, and the Cardinals are looking for the sweep.
Christine: Here's what we've got coming up. First, we'll break down last night's win and tonight's pitching matchup. Then we'll get into the key hitters and the bullpen questions. And we'll wrap with our keys to the series and a bold prediction.
Jason: Plus, we'll check in on the injury report, because there's a lot to keep track of.
Christine: Let's get started. Cardinals fans, you know the drill. Stick with us.
Christine: So Jason, the Cardinals took the opener 4-1 last night. Quinn Mathews was dealing. What did you see from him?
Jason: He was fantastic. Five and two-thirds innings, one run allowed. That's exactly what you want from a young lefty making a statement. And Jimmy Crooks provided the pop with a two-run homer.
Christine: That two-run shot was huge. It gave the Cardinals the cushion they needed. And now they're in position to sweep. Who's on the mound for tonight's finale?
Jason: We don't have the official probables yet, but it looks like Michael McGreevy could get the ball. He's been solid in the rotation. And the Pirates are likely to counter with a right-hander, so we'll see how the lineup shakes out.
Christine: Right, we'll keep an eye on that. But let's talk about the bigger picture. The Cardinals are 68-68, third in the NL Central. The Pirates are 65-70, fourth. This is a winnable series.
Jason: Exactly. Every game matters now. A sweep would push them two games above .500 and put some distance between them and the Pirates. It's a chance to build momentum heading into September.
Christine: And remember, we said before the series that the Cardinals would take the opener 5-3. They won 4-1, so we were close. But let's be honest, the important thing is the W.
Jason: We'll take the W. And tonight, they have a chance to make it three in a row against the Pirates. The pitching has been the story lately.
Christine: Let's talk about that. The bullpen has been a question mark, especially with injuries. But last night, the pen held it together. Who came out of the bullpen?
Jason: Riley O'Brien and Ryan Fernandez both pitched scoreless innings. That's a good sign. They're going to need that again tonight if the starter can't go deep.
Christine: Alright, so we've got the series setup and the pitching. Let's take a quick break and come back with the hitters and the injury report.
Christine: Welcome back. Let's talk about the lineup. Jimmy Crooks hit that home run last night. What's been working for him lately?
Jason: Crooks has been seeing the ball well. He's got power from the catcher spot, which is a huge plus. And he's been driving in runs. That's the kind of production you need from the bottom of the order.
Christine: And Jordan Walker. We've been predicting a homer for him for a while. He hasn't gone deep yet in this series. Do you think he breaks out today?
Jason: He's due. Walker's been putting up quality at-bats, but the results haven't been there. If he gets a pitch to drive, he could leave the yard. It's just a matter of time.
Christine: Speaking of power, Blaze Jordan and Ramón Urías both homered in that win over the Orioles. But now Blaze Jordan is on the IL. That's a blow.
Jason: Yeah, losing Blaze hurts. He's been a key part of the lineup. But the Cardinals have depth. They've got guys like Thomas Saggese and Nathan Church who can step up.
Christine: Let's go through the injury report real quick. We've got Everson Pereira, Masyn Winn, Andre Pallante, Peter Strzelecki, Blaze Jordan, Konnor Griffin, and Ryan O'Hearn all on the IL. That's a lot.
Jason: It's a long list, no doubt. But the bullpen is the biggest concern. Losing Pallante and Strzelecki means the late innings are thin. That's why those scoreless outings last night were so important.
Christine: And what about the Pirates? They've got their own injury issues. Mitch Keller is on the 60-day IL, and Endy Rodriguez is on the 10-day. That's got to affect them.
Jason: Absolutely. Keller is their ace, so losing him is huge. And Rodriguez is a key catcher. The Pirates are banged up, which gives the Cardinals an edge.
Christine: So the Cardinals have a chance to take advantage. Let's talk about the lineup for today. Who do you want to see in there?
Jason: I want to see Wetherholt at second, Gorman at third, and Walker in right. Keep the hot hands in there. And give Crooks another start behind the plate. He's earned it.
Christine: Alright, so we've got the hitters and the injuries. Let's move to our keys to the series and the bold prediction.
Christine: Now for the keys to the series finale. Jason, what does the Cardinals have to do to get the sweep?
Jason: First, they need to get a solid start from whoever takes the mound. If McGreevy goes six innings with two runs or fewer, that puts them in great shape.
Christine: And the bullpen has to keep it up. We saw them lock it down last night. Can they do it again?
Jason: They have to. With the injuries, the margin for error is thin. But if they can get the ball to Stanek and Fernandez in the late innings, I like their chances.
Christine: And what about the offense? They scored four runs last night. Is that enough?
Jason: It should be, if the pitching holds. But I'd like to see them add on. A couple of early runs would take the pressure off. Look for Crooks and Walker to be the catalysts.
Christine: Alright, time for our bold prediction. Last time we said Walker would homer. He didn't. So what are we saying today?
Jason: I'm going to stick with Walker. He's too good to stay cold. I'm predicting he goes deep today.
Christine: And what about the game itself? What's the score?
Jason: I'll say Cardinals win 5-2. The pitching will be sharp, and the offense will break through late.
Christine: I like that. Let's make it happen. Cardinals fans, if you're listening, get ready for a big afternoon of baseball.
Christine: That's all for today's episode. We've previewed the series finale, talked about the pitching, the hitters, and the injuries. And we've made our bold prediction.
Jason: Remember to subscribe, rate, and review the show. Share it with your fellow Cardinals fans. We appreciate every one of you.
Christine: And as always, go Cardinals! Let's get that sweep!