Christine: Randal Grichuk just crushed a two-out, ninth-inning homer to break the streak and sink the Cardinals, but tonight, St. Louis gets a chance to rewrite that ending at home.
Christine: This is Beatline, America's number one daily sports podcast network, and I’m Christine alongside Jason. Welcome back, Cardinal faithful. We are live from Busch Stadium on September 13th, 2026, with a preview of Game 4 against the Chicago White Sox.
Jason: Hey everyone. It’s a critical juncture. The Cardinals sit at 73-76, fourth in the NL Central, while the White Sox hold first in the AL Central at 75-72. After losing yesterday 6-5 thanks to that Grichuk bomb, the mood in the clubhouse has to be focused on redemption.
Christine: Exactly. And we’ve got a lot to unpack before the first pitch at 6:15 PM Central. Here is what we’re covering today: First, we’ll look at the pitching matchup and whether the rotation can finally contain this White Sox lineup. Second, we’re diving into the offensive keys, specifically how the rookies are handling the pressure with so many veterans on the IL. And third, we’ll give you our bold prediction for how this series ends.
Christine: Let’s start right where it always starts for us: the mound. Yesterday was rough. Grichuk went deep off the late relievers, and it felt like the bullpen had nowhere left to go. Jason, who do you see starting tonight?
Jason: Well, Christine, looking at the available starters—Cooper Hjerpe, Kyle Leahy, Matthew Liberatore, Quinn Mathews, Andre Pallante—I think they lean toward Andre Pallante or Cooper Hjerpe. Remember, we predicted Hjerpe would shine in the opener earlier in the week, and Pallante was the pick for the second game. With the team trailing in the standings, they might want to save their best arms for the final stretch.
Christine: Wait, did we say Hjerpe? I thought we were leaning hard on Pallante because of his command. But honestly, if they want to stop the bleeding after yesterday’s collapse, they need someone who can eat innings and keep the score close.
Jason: Right. And that’s the issue. The Cardinals’ rotation has been inconsistent all year. If it’s Hjerpe, he brings high velocity but needs to work on his plate discipline against tough contact hitters. If it’s Pallante, he’s got experience, but can he handle the White Sox power? Chase Meidroth hit two home runs against them just yesterday. That’s a red flag for any starter facing that lineup.
Christine: Meidroth’s power is real. He’s been a thorn in the side for St. Louis. So, if the starter goes deep, does the bullpen have the legs? We know about Ryne Stanek being available, and we also have Justin Bruihl, Luis Gastelum, Gordon Graceffo, Brycen Mautz, Riley O'Brien, George Soriano, and Cade Winquest. That’s a lot of bodies, but are they reliable?
Jason: It’s a volume play, not a quality play. Stanek is the only true setup guy here. The rest are depth pieces. If the starter gives up five runs like yesterday, Stanek is going to get hammered. The key is getting through the sixth inning. If the Cardinals can keep it within one run, Stanek can close it out—we actually predicted he’d secure a save in one of these wins earlier in the series.
Christine: So the strategy is: survive the middle innings, hand it to Stanek. But what if the starter struggles early? Then we’re watching Michael McGreevy or Quinn Mathews come in cold. That’s a recipe for disaster against a team like Chicago that feeds on momentum shifts.
Jason: Exactly. You don’t want your mid-relievers facing the heart of the order in the fifth. It has to be a six-inning effort. If the starter doesn’t provide that, the Cardinals are in trouble. We saw it Friday when Báez and Bernal stepped up, but pitchers can’t rely on offense every night.
Christine: Alright, let’s pivot to the offense. We talked about the injuries heavily in previous episodes, but the list is still massive. Peter Strzelecki, JJ Wetherholt, Everson Pereira, Blaze Jordan, Tyler Davis, Huascar Brazoban, Tanner Murray, Drew Thorpe, Tommy Pham—all on the IL or bereavement leave. Jordan Walker is day-to-day. Who is actually playing today?
Jason: It’s a skeleton crew. You’ve got Alec Burleson at first, Masyn Winn at shortstop, Nolan Gorman and Ramon Urias at third, Ivan Herrera at DH, and then a mix of outfielders: Joshua Báez, Nathan Church, Jose Fermin, Thomas Saggese, Bryan Torres, and hopefully Jordan Walker if he’s cleared. Leo Bernal and Pedro Pages are catching. It’s young, it’s raw, but it’s hungry.
Christine: And look at what those kids did Friday! Joshua Báez and Leo Bernal each had three hits and drove in two runs in that 7-3 win. They overcame Meidroth’s homers and took control. Is that sustainable? Or was that a fluke against a struggling White Sox team?
Jason: It wasn’t a fluke. Báez has shown elite contact skills all year. His ability to find the barrel is impressive for a rookie. And Leo Bernal behind the plate has been steady. The White Sox came in on a four-game losing streak, sure, but they’re still first in the division. If Báez and Bernal can replicate that performance tonight, St. Louis has a real shot.
Christine: I love that take. Báez is the spark plug. But what about the middle of the order? Ivan Herrera has been solid, but can he carry the load against a White Sox bullpen that’s been shaky lately? We need more than just the rookies carrying the weight.
Jason: Herrera is crucial. He’s the veteran presence in a young lineup. If he can get on base and drive in runs, it takes pressure off Báez. Also, watch Masyn Winn. He’s fast, he creates chaos on the bases, and he puts pressure on the defense. If the White Sox make an error, Winn is there to capitalize.
Christine: Okay, so we’ve got the pitching puzzle and the young offense ready to explode. Let’s talk about the bigger picture. The Cardinals are 73-76. They’re not making the playoffs, but they’re fighting for pride. How does that mindset affect the players?
Jason: It cuts both ways. On one hand, they’re playing for nothing, which can lead to complacency. On the other, young players like Báez, Bernal, and even Burleson are playing for their futures. Every at-bat matters for their stock. I think the desire to prove themselves outweighs the lack of postseason stakes.
Christine: That makes sense. Proving ground. Okay, let’s move into Segment 2. We’re going to dig deeper into the specific matchups and the injury impact on the defensive side of the ball. Stick with us.
Christine: Welcome back. In Segment 2, we’re looking at the defensive implications of this injury-riddled roster. When you lose guys like Tommy Pham and Everson Pereira, you’re losing experience and range. How does that show up against a White Sox team that likes to bunt and steal bases?
Jason: It shows up in missed catches and extra bases. The outfield is thin. Nathan Church and Victor Scott II are good, but they’re not Gold Glove caliber yet. If the White Sox try to exploit gaps, St. Louis will pay for it. The infield is better, though. Winn and Gorman are athletic. The key is communication.
Christine: Communication is everything when you’re calling up call-ups. Did you see the errors in the last game? That Grichuk homer came after a defensive lapse that gave Chicago momentum. It’s small things, but they add up.
Jason: Right. And the catcher situation is interesting. Leo Bernal is starting, which is great for his development, but can he handle the White Sox hitters? He faced Chase Meidroth yesterday and held him to a single. That’s a positive sign. Pitching to contact, letting the defense work, that’s the plan.
Christine: So Bernal at the plate AND behind the plate. He’s having a season to remember. Do you think the Cardinals should keep him locked in as the primary catcher, or rotate with Pedro Pages?
Jason: Keep Bernal in. He’s hitting .300ish and providing energy. Pages is a backup. You don’t mess with a winning formula, especially when you’re dealing with a losing record. Consistency is key for these young guys.
Christine: Agreed. Now, let’s talk about the White Sox. They’re 75-72, first in the AL Central. They’ve lost four straight, but they’re still ahead of everyone else in their division. Does that mean they’re vulnerable, or does it mean they’re desperate?
Jason: Desperate. Teams that lose four straight while holding first place are usually panicking internally. Their manager might be under pressure. That kind of tension often leads to poor decision-making in games. Mistimed pitches, bad baserunning. St. Louis needs to exploit that mental fragility.
Christine: Mental fragility. I love that phrase. So, if the Cardinals can stay disciplined, wait for their spots, and force the White Sox to make mistakes, they can win. But what if the White Sox snap out of it? What if they just dominate tonight?
Jason: Then they win. But history suggests that teams on four-game skids rarely bounce back immediately against a motivated opponent. Especially one with young talent like Báez and Bernal who are playing with house money.
Christine: Okay, Jason, I hear you. But we need to ask our listeners for a little help to keep this show running daily. Your support means everything to us. A quick coffee helps cover the costs of research, editing, and keeping the feed free for all of you. Please check the link in the episode description to chip in. It truly keeps the beatline alive.
Jason: Thanks, everyone. We appreciate every single contribution. It allows us to bring you this level of detail every single day. Now, let’s get back to the game.
Christine: Right. Before we wrap this segment, let’s look at the ABS challenge system tracker. Where do the Cardinals stand on that leaderboard? Are they struggling with umpire calls, or are they challenging correctly?
Jason: They’re mid-pack. Not terrible, not great. But given the roster turnover, they might be hesitant to challenge. Young players sometimes fear backlash if they’re wrong. That hesitation can cost them close calls. They need to trust their eyes.
Christine: Good point. Trust your instincts. Okay, Segment 3. This is where we give you the keys to the series and our bold prediction. We’ve covered pitching, offense, injuries, and mentality. What’s the one thing that decides this game?
Jason: The first inning. If St. Louis can score early, it forces the White Sox pitcher to work harder. It takes the pressure off Báez and Bernal. If they go down 0-0, the White Sox settle in. Early runs are vital for this young Cardinals team.
Christine: Early runs. Got it. So, if we see Báez get on base in the first, that’s the signal. What’s your bold prediction for tonight’s game, Jason? Give me a score.
Jason: I’m going with 5-3. Cardinals win. I think Hjerpe or Pallante holds the White Sox to three runs, and the offense explodes with help from Báez and Bernal combining for four hits and three RBIs again. Ivan Herrera adds a solo homer to seal it.
Christine: 5-3. Bold. I like it. I’m going slightly lower on the scoring, maybe 4-2, but I agree with the winner. The Cardinals need this win to build momentum heading into the final week. Can you see Iván Herrera hitting that solo homer in the third, like we predicted earlier in the week?
Jason: Absolutely. He’s due. The White Sox pitcher is likely trying to establish the strike zone early, and Herrera is patient. He’ll take a pitch outside, then hang one over the plate. Boom. Solo shot.
Christine: Boom. I love that imagery. So, our predictions: Cardinals win 5-3 (or 4-2), Báez and Bernal continue their hot streak, and Herrera provides the power punch. The key is early offense and surviving the bullpen battle until Stanek comes in.
Jason: Spot on. If they execute that plan, they take this game. The White Sox are fragile right now. Don’t underestimate the hunger of a young Cardinals team trying to silence the critics after that Grichuk homer loss.
Christine: Alright, folks, that’s our preview. We’ve got the storylines, the matchups, and the predictions. Make sure you tune in tonight at 6:15 PM Central at Busch Stadium. We’ll be there to bring you the action.
Christine: Before we go, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Beatline wherever you listen. Share this episode with a fellow Cardinal fan. Let’s get those wins in the final stretch!
Jason: Thanks for listening. Go Cards.
Christine: This is Christine and Jason, signing off from the Beatline Podcast Network. See you tomorrow!