Christine: Teoscar Hernández just dropped a dramatic walk-off double to spoil the sweep, but we’re not done with this series yet. The Cardinals have one more shot to finish off the Dodgers before turning their attention to a tricky road trip in Colorado.
Jason: And honestly, looking at that injury report and the pitching matchup, it’s going to be a grind. But if there is any team built for gritty, ugly wins, it’s these guys right now.
Christine: That is exactly what we are diving into. Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, I’m Christine Besterle. I am joined by my analyst Jason Benowitz. We are your daily source for everything St. Louis Cardinals baseball.
Jason: Hey everyone. Good to be here. It’s September fourth, so the season is in full swing, even if our record says otherwise.
Christine: Right. So here is where we stand. We just saw Thomas Saggese hit that go-ahead single in the tenth to win the previous game, and then Teoscar Hernández stole it back in the ninth last night. Tonight, we preview the final game against LA, and then we look ahead to tomorrow’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies. Plus, we have a massive update on the injury list and who is actually available to play.
Jason: It is a lot to unpack. We’ve got injuries piling up on both sides, and the bullpen is getting stretched thin. But first, let’s get to the immediate business at hand.
Christine: Before we get too deep, quick aside. You know we love bringing you this daily coverage, and we want to keep it that way for as long as possible. Because we run this network completely free—with no ads and no paywall—our survival depends entirely on fans like you who believe in what we do. If you can spare a few bucks to help keep the lights on and the scripts flowing, please check out the link in the episode description. It means the world to us.
Jason: Appreciate you all. Seriously. It keeps us going. Now, let’s talk about tonight. The Dodgers. The Cardinals are sitting at 70-71, third in the NL Central, trying to salvage some pride after that heartbreaking loss last night.
Christine: So, Jason, let’s start with the pitching. Who is on the mound for the Cardinals tonight? And more importantly, who is the Dodgers starting?
Jason: For the Dodgers, they are likely leaning on Gavin Stone... wait, no, he’s on the 60-Day IL. They have Shohei Ohtani listed as day-to-day, but given the workload, they might be holding him back. This leaves them with a pretty depleted rotation. For St. Louis, we are looking at Kyle Leahy or maybe Quinn Mathews stepping in. It’s a battle of depth charts.
Christine: It really is. Remember yesterday we talked about how much Quinn Mathews has been relied upon? Well, with Bobby Miller and Brusdar Graterol both on the 60-Day IL for the Dodgers, and the Cardinals dealing with Andre Pallante and Peter Strzelecki on the 15-Day IL, neither staff is pretty.
Jason: Exactly. And that changes the tactical approach. When you don’t have your ace, you aren’t trying to overpower hitters. You are trying to induce weak contact. For Leahy or Mathews, the key will be pitch count management. If they go deep into the game, the Cardinals’ bullpen—which is already stressed—is going to be tested.
Christine: Let’s talk about that bullpen. Riley O’Brien gave up that two-run double to Hernández last night. How concerned should we be about the relief corps heading into the Rockies series?
Jason: I’m moderately concerned. Not panicked, but aware. Ryne Stanek is still available, and Justin Bruihl has been solid in spot appearances. But when you lose guys like Edwin Diaz to the 15-Day IL, you lose a high-leverage arm. The Cardinals need to use Stanek strategically, not just as a closer.
Christine: Right. And with Masyn Winn and JJ Wetherholt both on the 10-Day IL, the lineup is also reshuffled. Who do you see starting at shortstop or second base?
Jason: Likely Joshua Baez or maybe Ivan Herrera sliding over. Herrera has shown he can handle the middle infield defensively. Offensively, though, losing Winn’s speed and contact skills hurts. It forces the team to rely more on power from the middle, which isn’t their traditional strength.
Christine: It’s a different beast without Winn. Okay, so we’ve got the pitching matchup, the bullpen concerns, and the lineup shuffles. Let’s pivot to Segment Two: Key Hitters and the Injury Impact.
Jason: Let’s talk about Alec Burleson. Yesterday we predicted he would drive in the winning run. He didn’t—he was part of the 8-6 win, but the walk-off was Saggese. Still, Burleson has been consistent. Against a Dodgers team missing their top arms, he should see favorable matchups.
Christine: He did have that big hit earlier in the series. And Jordan Walker? We said he’d drive in the winner in Game Two, which didn’t happen, but he’s still dangerous. How does he fare against the Dodgers' current options?
Jason: Walker thrives when he can sit inside the ball. If the Dodgers are throwing fastballs early in counts because they lack strikeout stuff, Walker will punish it. His launch angle is perfect for the short porch in right field at Busch Stadium. Even if they aren't playing tonight, his impact on the series momentum was huge.
Christine: True. And Thomas Saggese? We predicted he’d be the primary catalyst. He delivered in the tenth. Is he hot?
Jason: Very. That two-strike infield single in the tenth showed incredible plate discipline. He doesn’t chase. In a low-scoring game against a tired Dodgers pen, that patience is gold. I think he starts in left field again tonight.
Christine: Okay, so Burleson, Walker, and Saggese are the keys. What about the rest of the roster? With Everson Pereira and others on IL, who gets the call-up vibes?
Jason: Nathan Church in center field. He’s got speed, which helps with defensive shifts. And Leo Bernal behind the plate. Catching is always a grind in September, especially with travel. Bernal’s framing could be the difference in close games.
Christine: Framing matters. Especially if the umpire crew is tight. Anyway, injuries are the theme of the week. We have a long list. Let’s recap who is out. Bobby Miller, Brusdar Graterol, Gavin Stone for the Dodgers. For us: Masyn Winn, JJ Wetherholt, Andre Pallante, Peter Strzelecki, and Everson Pereira.
Jason: It’s brutal. Losing three pitchers to the 60-Day IL is a season-altering event. It forces the front office to make moves or ride the bus. Right now, they are riding the bus. It’s young arms and veterans holding it together.
Christine: Yeah, it’s a test of character. Alright, Segment Three: Keys to the Series and a Bold Prediction. We are heading to Colorado next. The Rockies. High altitude. Fast outfield. What do the Cardinals need to do to succeed there?
Jason: First, manage the weather. It’s dry, it’s high. Ball flies further. Don’t try to pull the ball everywhere. Use the whole field. Second, protect the bullpen. The Rockies’ offense is volatile. One bad inning can turn into five. Use your lefties against their platoon splits early.
Christine: Platoon splits. Yes. With Jose Fermin and Bryan Torres in the mix, mixing lineups is key. If you leave a lefty starter facing pure left-handed hitters, you’re asking for trouble. Jason, what’s your bold prediction for the Rockies series?
Jason: I’m predicting the Cardinals split the series. Maybe even take two of three. Why? Because the Rockies’ pitching is also shaky. Their ERA is inflated by home runs. If the Cardinals’ power hitters connect, they can exploit that. Nathan Church’s speed could also cause errors in the outfield.
Christine: Splitting or taking two of three? That’s optimistic given our record. But I like it. The energy shift from beating the Dodgers once could carry over. Final prediction: The Cardinals win the finale in Colorado with a score of 4-2, thanks to a strong outing from Kyle Leahy.
Jason: I’ll take that. Leahy has been improving. If he hits his spots, he can keep the Rockies off balance. It’s a solid pick.
Christine: There you have it. A tough stretch ahead, but plenty to watch. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a fellow Cardinal fan.
Jason: We’ll be back tomorrow with a full recap of the Rockies series. Stay tuned. Go Birds.
Christine: Go Birds!