7 takeaways from Cardinals series win over Cubs

It was sometimes a bit frustrating, but the St. Louis Cardinals pulled out a series win over the Chicago Cubs. 

The Cardinals took three of five games in four days from the Chicago Cubs. The Cardinals won Monday 1-0. They lost Tuesday afternoon 2-0. They won Tuesday evening, 13-2. The Cardinals lost Wednesday evening 7-1. The Cardinals won Thursday 8-3.

The Cardinals return to St. Louis for a three-game set this weekend against the Atlanta Braves.

The Cardinals are now 72-53 on the season and 8-2 in their last ten games. They are six games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers, who are 65-58. Amazing!

Now let’s look at some of the best performances from the crucial series.

Paul Goldschmidt had a needed a reset

Goldschmidt began the series starting as the designated hitter for the Cardinals. He was 0-for-4, leaving three batters on base and striking out twice. Tuesday afternoon, Goldschmidt was 1-for-3, with a walk and a strikeout, leaving three runners on the base path.

Tuesday evening, Goldschmidt was 1-for-6, striking out twice and leaving four on the base path.

Goldschmidt took a much-needed night off Wednesday. And apparently, that night off was just what he needed.

Goldschmidt was 3-for-4 on Thursday with one walk, three runs, and five RBI.

Nolan Gorman singled to center field, scoring Goldschmidt in the first inning. In the fourth inning. Goldschmidt singled to right field, scoring Andrew Knizner and Lars Nootbaar.

In the sixth inning, Goldschmidt hit his 32nd home run of the season on a fly to left field off Sean Newcomb. The blast traveled 403 feet at 108.7 mph. In the eighth inning, he hit his 33rd homer on a fly to center field, scoring Brendan Donovan. The homer traveled 428 feet at 108.6.

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.

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.