4 surprising performances in Cardinals opening series

Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals tags out David Bote #13 of the Chicago Cubs after being caught in a pickle in the eight inning at Wrigley Field on September 25, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals tags out David Bote #13 of the Chicago Cubs after being caught in a pickle in the eight inning at Wrigley Field on September 25, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – APRIL 07: Starter Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day at Busch Stadium on April 7, 2022 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Kane/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – APRIL 07: Starter Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day at Busch Stadium on April 7, 2022 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Kane/Getty Images) /

Adam Wainwright

After receiving quite the ovation from the Cardinals’ Opening Day faithful, Adam Wainwright took the mound with battery mate Yadier Molina. It was their 305th game together. The pair, if they remain healthy, is sure to break the record of 324 held by Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan of the Detroit Tigers.

Wainwright earned his first victory of the season going six innings, giving up five hits and struck out six batters. He looked impressive on the mound, mixing up pitches and keeping the batters guessing. He got into one jam during the fourth inning. With two on, Wainwright threw an 85 mph cutter to Kevin Newman and ground it into a double play turned by Gold Glove defenders Tommy Edman and Paul Goldschmidt.

Wainwright is 40 years old but looked much younger on the mound. He looked confident and locked in. It’s good to see Waino in that mode.