8 standouts from Cardinals sweep of Cubs

The St. Louis Cardinals put on a show against the Chicago Cubs to grow their lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central race. 

The Cardinals swept the Cubs this weekend in St. Louis, bringing their lead over the Brewers to 8.5 games. The Cardinals won Friday 8-0, Saturday 8-4, and Sunday 8-0.

The Cardinals will take on the Washington Nationals in a four-game set starting today. Jack Flaherty will start Monday in his first outing since June 26. The team has been pleased with his progress since shutting things down in June. Having a healthy Flaherty through the season’s final weeks could be just what the pitching staff needs.

In this series, the Cardinals had several players step up and battle for their team. It’s been fun to see which player steps up for the Cardinals each game. Sometimes, it’s someone new, and sometimes a legend wowing the crowd one more time.

Albert Pujols has an epic final at-bat against Cubs

In the bottom of the eighth inning Sunday, Albert Pujols entered the game as a pinch hitter for Lars Nootbaar in what would be his final at-bat against the Cubs.

Pujols did not disappoint.

Pujols hit his 16th home run of the season and the 695th of his Hall of Fame career. The blast traveled 429 feet at 105.7 mph off Cubs reliever Brandon Hughes after a visit from manager David Ross. Whatever was said did not work to the Cubs’ benefit. Tommy Edman scored on the Pujols homer after he doubled on a sharp liner to left field.

While Pujols’ home run was the lone scoring the Cardinals received Sunday, the team had several standouts over the weekend series. Let’s take a look at those standouts.

Pitchers who stood out for the Cardinals

Jordan Montgomery

Now 8-3 on the season, Montgomery pitched six innings for the Cardinals Friday. He gave up seven hits and walked two. He struck out four batters while inducing 10 swings and misses. Jordan Hicks had a great outing, pitching the seventh inning. He earned his sixth home of the season while striking out three batters while inducing three swings and misses.

Chris Stratton pitched two innings, striking out two batters.

Adam Wainwright

Wainwright and Yadier Molina had their 323rd start together, inching closer to breaking the record of 324 starts set by Detroit Tigers’ battery Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan. Wainwright earned his 10th victory, going five innings, giving up nine hits, two walks, and four earned runs. He struck out two batters while inducing five swings and misses.

Four pitchers pitched masterfully in relief of Wainwright so he could get that win. Andre Pallante pitched an inning, giving up a hit. Jake Woodford pitched an inning, striking out one. Jojo Romero pitched an inning, walking one. Giovanny Gallegos pitched an inning, striking out one.

It was positive to see the relievers do an excellent job in relief, keeping the Cardinals in it to win it.

Miles Mikolas

Mikolas looked sharp in his eight innings of work Sunday, earning his 11th win of the season. He only gave up two hits and one walk while striking out three batters and inducing eight swings and misses.  Mikolas needed this confidence-building outing as the Cardinals head into the season’s final weeks.

After pitching the ninth inning, Ryan Helsley earned his 13th save. He walked one and struck out one while inducing three swings and misses.