Christine: Five home runs in a single game against the best team in baseball? That is not just a highlight reel moment, that is a statement. Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we break down the biggest stories in sports every single day.
Jason: I’m Jason, and I am still trying to process how Thomas Saggese managed to hit two of those long balls on Tuesday night. It was an absolute offensive explosion.
Christine: And I’m Christine. Today we are in Los Angeles for Game Two of this three-game series against the Dodgers. The Cardinals took the opener 13-8, but before we get into the action, here is what we are covering tonight.
Christine: First, we look at the pitching matchup and who starts for St. Louis tonight. Second, we dive deep into the bullpen crisis with so many arms on the IL, and finally, we give you our keys to the series and our prediction for tonight’s game.
Jason: It is a tight window, folks. The Cardinals are 69-70, sitting third in the NL Central, and they have to win games like this to keep any semblance of hope alive in the wild card race.
Christine: Let’s jump right into it. Yesterday we talked about the injuries to Masyn Winn and JJ Wetherholt, and tonight we see the direct impact of that depth test. Stick with us.
Christine: Alright, Jason, let’s talk about the mound. We know the Dodgers are 82-56 and leading the NL West, but the Cardinals came out firing yesterday. Who do you expect to start tonight?
Jason: Well, looking at the roster, we have Kyle Leahy, Matthew Liberatore, Quinn Mathews, and Michael McGreevy as the available starters. Given the injury list, the rotation is thin.
Christine: Right, and remember, Blake Treinen, Gavin Stone, Bobby Miller, Ben Casparius, and Andre Pallante are all on the 60-day IL or 15-day IL. This is a massive hole in the staff.
Jason: Exactly. So whoever gets the ball has to go deeper than usual. If it’s Quinn Mathews, he needs to pitch to contact early because the bullpen might not be able to save him if he gets tired.
Christine: But yesterday, the offense didn’t let the pitcher worry about that. Five home runs! Jordan Walker had a two-run shot, and Thomas Saggese went yard twice. How does that change the dynamic for tonight?
Jason: It changes everything. Usually, you want your starter to go six innings. But if the manager knows the lineup can produce five runs per inning, maybe he pulls the starter after five if things get shaky. It gives the bullpen more rest.
Christine: That is a bold strategy. Do you think the Dodgers will adjust their defense? They are known for elite defensive positioning. With Saggese and Walker hitting so much power, are they going to shift less?
Jason: They probably won’t shift less, but they can’t catch these balls anyway. Launch angle is king right now for St. Louis. You cannot defend a ball that leaves the park. The key is plate discipline. Don't chase sliders away from the plate.
Christine: So, keeping the at-bats long, working the count, and letting the power swing happen. That seems to be the recipe. Let’s move to Segment Two, where we talk about the guys filling in for the injured stars.
Christine: We mentioned the injuries earlier, but let’s get specific. JJ Wetherholt is on the 10-day IL with wrist tendinitis. Everson Pereira is also out. And Masyn Winn is still sidelined.
Jason: It is a significant loss. Wetherholt provides speed and contact skills. Without him, the bottom of the order loses some urgency. Who is stepping up in the infield?
Christine: We have Nolan Gorman at third base, Cesar Prieto, and Ramon Urias. In the outfield, we have Alec Burleson, Joshua Baez, Nathan Church, Jose Fermin, Bryan Torres, and Victor Scott II.
Jason: Alec Burleson has been solid. Remember, yesterday we predicted he would drive in the winning run in a close contest. Well, yesterday wasn’t close, but he contributed to that big win.
Christine: True! And Jordan Walker was named Home Run Derby champion, so he is clearly peaking at the right time. Does his confidence carry over to every at-bat?
Jason: It should. When a player wins a derby, their swing mechanics are usually locked in. He is seeing the ball well. The question is, can the rest of the lineup support him? Ivan Herrera is catching, so he needs to handle the pitchers’ demands.
Christine: And then there is the bullpen. Justin Bruihl, Ryan Fernandez, Luis Gastelum, Gordon Graceffo, Brycen Mautz, Riley O'Brien, Hancel Rincon, George Soriano, Ryne Stanek, Cade Winquest. That is a lot of names for a short series.
Jason: It is a volume issue. Ryne Stanek is the likely closer if he is healthy, but the middle relief is a gamble. If the starter goes seven innings, you need one or two relievers to hold the lead. If they don't, you burn through the whole bullpen.
Christine: Ouch. That sounds exhausting for the coaching staff. Do you think they will use a opener strategy? Bring in a reliever for the first inning to face the top of the Dodgers order?
Jason: With Clayton Kershaw or whatever ace they start, yes. It is a smart tactical move. You protect your main arm by taking the hardest hitters off the table early. But it requires perfect execution.
Christine: Perfect execution is hard when you are missing your top two shortstops. Let’s wrap this segment with a quick check on the standings. The Cardinals are third in the NL Central, 13 games back of the leader?
Jason: They are 69-70. Every game matters now. Even if the division title is slipping away, the Wild Card spots are wide open. This series against LA is crucial for momentum.
Christine: Momentum is everything. You score 13 runs once, the team believes they can beat anyone. Now they have to prove they can sustain it. Coming up, we give you our keys to victory and our final prediction.
Christine: Okay, Jason, it’s time for our Keys to the Series. What is number one?
Jason: Number one: Pitching efficiency. Whoever starts for St. Louis must throw under 100 pitches. If he goes over 110, the bullpen is exposed against a lineup this deep.
Christine: Agreed. Number two for me: Early offense. Last night, they scored eight runs. Tonight, they need to strike early against the Dodgers starter to take the pressure off the young arms.
Jason: Third key: Defense. With so many call-ups and replacements, communication is key. One error can turn into three runs against LA. They need to be crisp.
Christine: Now, the bold prediction. Yesterday we said the Cardinals would win one game in the series. We also said Alec Burleson would drive in the winning run. Are we sticking with that?
Jason: I am sticking with the series win. The energy is high. Thomas Saggese is hot. I think they win Game Two tonight.
Christine: And who drives in the winner? I am going with Jordan Walker. He has the momentum from the derby and last night’s homer.
Jason: Walker it is. I predict a 5-4 win for St. Louis. It will be close, but the power surge will carry them.
Christine: 5-4, Cardinals. A gritty win fueled by home runs and good pitching. Can they do it? Tune in tonight to find out.
Christine: That is all the time we have for today. We previewed the Cardinals vs. Dodgers clash, analyzed the bullpen strain, and picked a 5-4 Cardinal victory.
Jason: If you enjoyed the show, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast app. It helps more fans find the network.
Christine: Share this episode with a friend who loves baseball. Let’s keep the conversation going.
Jason: Go Cardinals. Show them what that power looks like.
Christine: This is Christine and Jason, signing off from the Beatline Podcast Network. See you tomorrow!