Cardinals: Nick Castellanos Reignites Rivalry with Cincinnati Reds

Saturday afternoon’s contest between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals seemed to reignite tensions between the two fanbases.

Tempers always seem to flare when it comes to the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds. Saturday’s afternoon game between the two was no exception.

According to Baseball Savant, the fourth inning, right fielder Nick Castellanos was hit in the side by a 92.1 mph pitch from Jake Woodford. Castellanos appeared to take exception and asked Yadier Molina if the young pitcher was targeting him. Molina calmed him down, but Castellanos was feeling a little petty and asked Woodford if he wanted his ball back or not.

Woodford, a rookie, got a new ball and carried on.

With Castellanos moving over to third after a Joey Votto single, things got a little interesting.

Woodford threw a wild pitch and Castellanos sprinted home to score. Castellanos stood and flexed above Woodford. He apparently said something to the effective let’s go and continued his flex. Woodford, of course, was shocked because he didn’t understand the flex.

This lead to a huge clearing of the benches and bullpens. Molina, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado were the leaders in the effort to defend their teammates. It was great to see, really. It was a lot of jawing and pushing and shoving. It was nothing like the 2010 game with the Cards and Reds that lead to Johnny Cueto kicking his spikes into players. Thankfully.

Of note, it was believed the Cardinals may have been a little sensitive about Castellanos skipping and flipping his bat after knocking a home run in Thursday’s home opener for the Reds. If this is the case, why would the Cardinals have Woodford throw at him? Why not starter Adam Wainwright? Why not really send a message and have a veteran flame thrower do it?

I really do believe the ball just got away from Woodford who probably had a case of being nervous.

Another flare up between the teams as players were making their way back to their positions and the bullpen. Reliever Jordan Hicks took exception to something said and was pointing in the direction of players. He was held back before anything really happened. The issue was never elaborated upon, Hicks told reporters nothing “derogatory” was said.

After the game, Castellanos was asked about what happened between he and Molina. Castellanos responded that even if Molina had punched him in the face, he still would have asked for a signed jersey from him. Castellanos referred to Molina as the “real deal.”

Gotta agree with him there!

What I don’t agree with is Cincinnati fans referring to St. Louis as “soft” because they defended themselves against Castellanos flexing at a rookie pitcher. The Cardinals are sticklers for doing things the “right way” and flexing at a player is not that. I do not think that makes the Cardinals soft by any means.

The Cardinals lost Saturday’s contest 9-6.

During Sunday’s contest, Molina received his usual chorus of boos from the Reds faithful. The boos did have a little extra vigor. Pitches from starter Jeff Hoffman did seem a little close on Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado at times.

Castellanos was pumped after hitting a triple in the fourth inning off of Carlos Martinez. He scored on a single from Votto. In the Cards half of the 5th, Tyler O’Neill hit a double to left center. Molina hit a single to bring in O’Neill. The chorus of boos was plentiful.

In the bottom of the fifth, Castellanos was at the plate with two runners on. According to Baseball Savant, Castellanos took a 91 mph pitch 402 feet to left center. The hit had an exit velocity of 108.8 mph. The score became 4-1.

The wheels came off for the Cardinals as the game went on, however, further igniting the Reds fan’s sauciness. The Cardinals lost 12-1.

Hopefully the Cardinals offense returns as the team travels to Miami for a series with the Marlins starting Monday evening.

Whether things blows over or not with the Reds, I’m sure Castellanos will receive a “boo-tiful” welcome from Cardinals fans when they plan in St. Louis. Cincinnati comes to St. Louis the weekend of April 23-25. Mark your calendars!