St. Louis Cardinals: 6 MVP candidates in Cubs series sweep

Harrison Bader #48 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after scoring on a passed ball in the night inning against Tommy Nance #45 of the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 25, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Harrison Bader #48 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after scoring on a passed ball in the night inning against Tommy Nance #45 of the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 25, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
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JUPITER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 22: Dakota Hudson #43 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the New York Mets in the third inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 22: Dakota Hudson #43 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the New York Mets in the third inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Dakota Hudson

On Friday evening, we saw our first start in some time from Jack Flaherty. Coming back from yet another setback, Flaherty was on a strict pitch count. He didn’t even make it through the first inning, going one-third of the inning, giving up a walk and two hits including a home run to Patrick Wisdom.

While he did strike out one, the Cardinals saw enough of their one-time ace. What the Cardinals did next seemed equally as shocking at the moment.

Dakota Hudson came into the game, taking the mound for the first time in two years.

The way Hudson pitched, it was a relief.

He pitched 3.2 innings, giving up four hits and two earned runs. He was able to strike out two batters, inducing three swing and misses.


For his first time back out on the mound after two seasons and Tommy John surgery, this was great to see and promising for Hudson’s future. It was an absolute confidence booster for the young pitcher and a pitching staff that could use some good news looking to next season.

It’s unclear at this time, when or if we will see him again this season, but it’s good to see him maybe an option going forward.

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