7 takeaways from Cardinals series win over Cubs

Albert Pujols has memorable last series at Wrigley

Since the start of the second half. Albert Pujols’ at-bats have become must-watch television.

On Monday, Pujols was in the lineup and playing first base, making some Gold Glove-caliber moves and snagging throws from his crafty teammates. He was 2-for-4 with one run, which came from a pretty spectacular homer to left-center field.

Take a look at the blast here:

This was home run number 693 in Pujols’ legendary career and the 14th of this fantastic season. The homer traveled 373 feet at 99.7 mph.

He was 1-for-4 on Tuesday afternoon as the Cardinals designated hitter.

On Tuesday evening, he was a pinch hitter in the ninth inning. He was hit by a pitch from Franmil Reyes, pulling duties as designated hitter turned pitcher.

Jordan Montgomery throws a complete game, shutout

Thursday evening, Harrison Bader was placed on the 60-day injured list with lingering plantar fasciitis issues ending his season. Earlier this week, Jordan Montgomery threw a complete game shutout. This essentially makes the Cardinals the winner in the trade of Bader to the Yankees for Montgomery.

Montgomery gave up one hit and struck out seven batters. He threw 99 pitches, with 65 being thrown as strikes. He induced 14 swings and misses. Montgomery is now 7-3 on the season, having won all four games he has started for the Cardinals.

Jake Woodford got a win

Jake Woodford had a great win Tuesday evening. Finally!

Woodford is now 3-0 after pitching 5.1 innings, giving up four hits, a walk, and one earned run. He struck out one batter and induced two swings and misses.

Last season he struggled through several spot starts. This season has been primarily spent in AAA Memphis while he has gotten some relief appearance with St. Louis that earned him a couple of victories. He was very efficient on Tuesday evening. Seeing him step up big when the team needed him was good.

Tuesday evening Cardinals scoring spree

The Cardinals have games where they score so many runs that it can be jaw-dropping. Combine this with the nights where they score zero runs, and you’ll have a fan base wondering what on earth is going on.

In the fourth inning of Tuesday night’s game, Nolan Arenado knocked his 26th homer of the season. He hit the fly to the left-center field 397 feet at 103.7 mph.  Later that inning, Tyle O’Neill snapped a streak as he hit his eighth home run on a fly to left field, scoring Nolan Gorman. O’Neill’s homer traveled 385 feet at 108.8 mph.

Brendan Donovan singled to right field, scoring Corey Dickerson and Andrew Knizner. Donovan advanced to second base on a fielding error from Seiya Suzuki.

In the sixth inning, Tommy Edman hit his ninth home run on a fly to center field off Anderson Espinosa. The homer traveled 394 feet at 101.9 mph. It is excellent to see Edman contribute with the long ball.

In the ninth inning, Andrew Knizner was walked with the bases loaded, allowing Gorman to score. Edman then hit a double on a fly to right field, scoring Tyler O’Neill and Corey Dickerson. Dylan Carlson hit his fourth triple of the season on a liner to center field, scoring Knizner and Edman.

Goldschmidt then grounded into a double play, scoring Carlson.

After failing to score in the afternoon game, it was great to see them break out in the evening.

Corey Dickerson hits

After struggling much of the season, it was great to see Dickerson finally break out of a frustrating effort that spanned most of the season.

On Tuesday evening, he was four-for-five with two runs and an RBI. Dickerson doubled on a sharp liner to left field in the fifth inning, scoring Nolan Gorman.

Dickerson was three-for-five Thursday, scoring one run and an RBI.

In the first inning, Dickerson got the Cardinals on the board with a single to left field, scoring Brendan Donovan. Dickerson scored that inning on a sacrifice fly to right field by Tyler O’Neill.

In the eighth inning, Dickerson hit a triple that went 232 feet at 108.6 mph.

Lars Nootbaar’s Cardinals legend grows

Nootbaar provided the only good thing from the Cardinals on Wednesday.

In the fifth inning, Nootbaar hit his eighth home run on a fly to right center field. The blast traveled 381 feet at 106.4 mph.

Nootbaar was two-for-five Thursday with one run.

The Cardinals’ bullpen performed better

Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina made their 321 starts as a battery Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately, it was another occasion where Wainwright had no run support as the Cardinals lost 2-0, bringing him to a record of 9-9 on the season.

He pitched six innings, giving up five hits, four walks, and two earned runs. He had three strikeouts and five swings and misses.

Jojo Romero pitched the final two innings Tuesday afternoon. He struck out one batter while inducing three swings and misses.

Chris Stratton appeared in relief of Woodford, pitching one inning of relief and striking out two batters. He induced four swings and misses.

Matthew Liberatore was the 27th man up for the doubleheader Tuesday. He looked great in his relief effort Tuesday night. He pitched 2.2 innings, giving up three hits and two earned runs. He struck out three batters while inducing four swings and misses. He had the top pitching velocity of the night at 96.8 mph.

Dakota Hudson had a better outing than many anticipated. He pitched seven innings Thursday, giving up five hits, two walks, and two runs. He struck out four batters while inducing 12 swings and misses. It was a great outing from Hudson. Finally!

While Packy Naughton only pitched a third of an inning, he gave up three hits, and one earned run. He did strike out one batter.

Jordan HIcks had a dominant outing Thursday. He pitched 1.2 innings, striking out two batters while inducing three swings and misses. Hicks hit his top velocity at 101.5 mph.