9 star-studded standouts in St. Louis Cardinals sweep of Cubs

The St. Louis Cardinals looked like a team relieved to be together still as they swept the Chicago Cubs in a three-game set that culminated in a doubleheader sweep on Thursday. 

How sweep it is!

The St. Louis Cardinals won Tuesday 6-0. The game was postponed on Wednesday due to inclement weather. And the Cardinals took the doubleheader Thursday 4-3 and 7-2.

Jose Quintana and Chris Stratton looked impressive in their first efforts with their new team after a trade brought the two to St. Louis from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Johan Oviedo and Malcolm Nunez went to the Pirates in the trade.

While fan favorite Harrison Bader was dealt to the New York Yankees in exchange for Jordan Montgomery, the outfield seemed set, and the rest of the team still looked relieved to be together as they took the field Tuesday evening.

The sweep will be discussed more on the next pages. After the sweep, the Cardinals will welcome the Yankees to Busch Stadium for what should be an epic series between two of Major League Baseball’s most historic franchises.

It should be a fun weekend.

The Cardinals are now tied atop the NL Central with the Milwaukee Brewers with records of 57-48. The Brewers are riding a four-game losing streak and host the Cincinnati Reds in Milwaukee this weekend.

Let’s take a look at the standouts from this fun series between the Cardinals and Cubs.

Dylan Carlson secure in his new role

Centerfield is Dylan Carlson’s position. With Bader getting traded to the Yankees and Carlson’s impressive play since filling in for Bader, Carlson essentially secured the position and is playing like it. The rumor mill was filled with talk of Carlson being moved in exchange for the trade deadline’s big target, Juan Soto.

In addition to some stellar defense in centerfield, Carlson looked relaxed at the plate in the lead-off position relieved to still be standing after weeks of trade deadline drama.

In the fifth inning Tuesday, Carlson knocked his seventh home run to center field, scoring Tommy Edman. The home run traveled 431 feet at 106.7 mph.

Paul Goldschmidt continues playing like an MVP

Paul Goldschmidt just continues to put up amazing numbers and continued to do so against the Cubs.

On Tuesday, Goldschmidt got the scoring started in the third inning with a single to center field, scoring Tommy Edman and Nolan Gorman.

In the fifth inning, Goldschmidt knocked his 25th home run of the season on a fly to center field. The blast traveled 427 feet at 108.9 mph. Impressive!

On Thursday, in the seventh inning, Goldschmidt knocked his 26th home run of the season on a fly to center field off Marcus Stroman. The home run traveled 420 feet at 107.7 mph.

Nolan Arenado continues just being Nolan

Arenado makes so many impressive plays at third base, it’s like a little extra when he is impressive at the plate.

Arenado launched his 20th home run of the season on a fly to left field Tuesday. The home run traveled 406 feet at 105.2 mph.

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In the first inning of Thursday night’s game, Arenado knocked his 21st home run on a fly to left field off Sean Newcomb, scoring Paul Goldschmidt. The home run traveled 428 feet at 108.3 mph to Big Mac Land in the second deck of left field.

Nolan Gorman relieved to make it through the trade deadline

Gorman got the comeback started Thursday afternoon with his 12th home run of the season on a fly to left center off Marcus Stroman. The home run traveled 411 feet at 107.1 mph.

Adam Wainwright shines in Yadier Molina’s return

In their 317th start together as a battery, the duo of Wainwright and Molina are now in possession of second all-time in most starts as a battery in Major League Baseball. The two only trail Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan who had 324 starts together.

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Wainwright earned his eighth win of the season after pitching seven innings, giving up six hits. HE struck out four and induced nine swings and misses.

Jordan Hicks pitched the eighth inning. He struck out two batters, topping out at a max velocity of 100.6 mph. He did induce one swing and miss.

Lars Nootbaar is the spark for the Cardinals

On Thursday, Nootbaar tied the game up with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Nolan Arenado.

In the bottom of the ninth, with Arenado and Paul DeJong on base, Nootbaar singled on a sharp line drive to right field, scoring Arenado who was trucking it down the third base line.

This was quite the celebration!

Nootbaar and Carlson scored in the top of the seventh inning in the night game on a Tommy Edman double to solidify the 7-2 victory.

Jose Quintana impresses in debut

Quintana was solid in his debut with the Cardinals. He pitched six innings, giving up only a home run to Patrick Wisdom. He walked two and struck out seven batters. He induced 10 swings and misses.

Jordan Hicks, unfortunately, blew the save opportunity giving up two walks, a hit and one run. He induced four swings and misses. Hicks max velocity was a staggering 102.5 mph. He ultimately did get the win for the Cardinals and is now 3-5.

Genesis Cabrera was sold in his 11th hold of the season, pitching one inning.

Tyler O’Neill lifts the Cardinals

O’Neill lifted the Cardinals to victory in the night game on Thursday. He seemed to spark some of the excellent play fans hoped he would begin the season with after an impressive 2021 season. It was great to see Thursday, though.

In only his sixth home run of the season, and his first at Busch Stadium since opening day, O’Neill knocked a home of a fly to left center field, scoring Tommy Edman and Nolan Gorman. Gorman entered the game in place of Albert Pujols and drew a walk.

The home run traveled 390 feet at 102.5 mph. It was so good to see O’Neill hit a home run with that beautiful swing.