Christine: The St. Louis Cardinals are sitting at 76 and 80, fourth in the NL Central, and they’ve got a massive test waiting on them tonight. We’re heading to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates in what could be a season-defining series for the remainder of this campaign.
Jason: It’s a tough spot. They just came off a five-run win against Washington, but that victory was built on some late-inning heroics from Leo Bernal and Ivan Herrera. The question is, can they replicate that kind of production against a Pirates team that is fighting for its own playoff life?
Christine: That’s exactly what we’re diving into. I’m Christine, your lead host here at Beatline Podcast Network, and joining me is our resident baseball analyst, Jason. Welcome back to the daily Cardinals preview show!
Jason: Thanks for having me, Christine. It’s good to be back with the fans who have been riding this rollercoaster with us all September.
Christine: Before we get into the weeds, let’s lay out the roadmap for today. First, we’ll break down the pitching matchup against Pittsburgh and look at who might take the mound for the Cardinals. Then, we’ll talk about the offensive keys, specifically how Alec Burleson and Masyn Winn need to step up given the injury list. And finally, we’ll give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction for tonight’s game.
Jason: Sounds like a solid plan. Let’s get right into it. The Cardinals are traveling west, or well, north-northwest depending on how you look at it, to face the Pirates.
Christine: Let’s start with the rotation. Who do we think gets the nod for Andre Pallante or Cooper Hjerpe? Or is there a surprise move here?
Jason: Well, looking at the roster, Andre Pallante has been the workhorse. He’s the guy who gives you the most innings and stability. But we know the bullpen has been stretched thin after those Nationals games.
Christine: Right, and remember yesterday we talked about how Ryne Stanek and Justin Bruihl have been eating up frames. If Pallante doesn’t go deep, the relievers are going to be in trouble.
Jason: Exactly. You don’t want to burn the setup man early. I’d expect Pallante to go at least six innings if he’s healthy. His command has been decent lately, especially when he needs to keep the ball on the ground.
Christine: And what about the Pirates’ starter? We don’t have their probable listed, but we know they’re competitive. What’s the angle there?
Jason: Pittsburgh is always dangerous at home. Their pitching staff tends to be aggressive, which means they’ll challenge hitters early. For the Cardinals, that means you can’t afford to go behind in the count. Plate discipline will be key.
Christine: So, if the Cardinals fall behind early, they need to be patient. That ties into what we saw last night. Ivan Herrera had two homers, but that was a rally in the eighth. Can they score early?
Jason: That’s the big question. Herrera’s power is real, but he’s not going to hit two bombs every night. You need consistency from the middle of the order. That’s where Alec Burleson comes in.
Christine: Burleson has been the engine for this offense. When he’s hot, the whole lineup wakes up. Do you think he’s due for another big night?
Jason: I do. His launch angle is perfect for PNC Park, which is a hitter-friendly park for right-handed power. If he gets the ball in the air, it’s going somewhere.
Christine: Okay, so Pallante goes deep, Burleson hits the gap, and we’re looking at a strong start for St. Louis. But wait—there’s more.
Jason: Always more with these Cardinals. Stick with us, because the injuries are still lurking.
Christine: Let’s talk about that injury list. It’s getting longer by the day. Everson Pereira is out, Blaze Jordan is out, Joshua Baez is out... this is a lot of bodies missing.
Jason: It’s tough. Max Rajcic and DJ Herz are on the 60-day IL, which is a long-term loss. But the immediate impact is from the 10-day guys. It forces guys like Pedro Pages and Jose Fermin to play more.
Christine: Pedro Pages has shown flashes, but catching every day is a grind. And what about the infield? Cesar Prieto and JJ Wetherholt are stepping up, but do you trust them defensively?
Jason: Prieto is solid. He’s got experience. Wetherholt is young, but he’s got a good eye at the plate. The issue is depth. If someone gets hurt again, you’re looking at call-ups from Memphis.
Christine: That’s scary. And then there’s the bullpen. Hunter Dobbins and Orlando Ribalta are on the 15-day IL. That takes away options for the late innings.
Jason: Yeah, and PJ Poulin, Connelly Early, and Matt Waldron are gone too. So you’re relying heavily on Brycen Mautz, George Soriano, and Cade Winquest. If one of them struggles, you’re in trouble.
Christine: So, the strategy has to be: get the starter to go deep, minimize the bullpen usage, and hope the defense holds up. Is that realistic?
Jason: It’s the only way to win. You can’t out-bullpen a team when you’re missing three guys. It’s all about efficiency. Pitch to contact, let the defense work, and hope for a break or two.
Christine: Masyn Winn is also crucial here. He’s the spark plug. If he gets on base, he creates chaos. Do you think he’ll be the difference-maker tonight?
Jason: Winn is fast and he draws walks. He’s a nightmare for pitchers. If he leads off or bats second, he sets the tone. I think he’s going to have a big night.
Christine: Okay, so we’ve got Pallante, Burleson, and Winn as the stars. But the injuries are hanging over everything. How do you manage the roster with so many gaps?
Jason: You shuffle the lineup. Put Victor Scott II in center field, maybe move Nathan Church around. It’s messy, but it’s what you have to do. The coaches are doing a great job keeping everyone ready.
Christine: Agreed. And speaking of messes, remember that catcher’s interference call last week? That cost them dearly.
Jason: Ouch. Yeah, that was brutal. Four runs in the 11th because of a challenge. Hopefully, the umpires are a bit more careful tonight. No more controversial calls.
Christine: Fingers crossed. Because if the Cardinals can avoid those mistakes, they have a real shot. But first, a quick word from our supporters.
Christine: Hey everyone, if these daily breakdowns are part of your morning routine or commute, a small contribution really helps keep the show free and running every single day. Please check the link in the episode description to support us—it means the world to the crew.
Jason: We appreciate it. Now, let’s wrap this up. Keys to the series: Pitch deep, play clean defense, and let Winn and Burleson drive the offense. Prediction: Cardinals win 4-2.
Christine: There you have it. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Go Cards!