5 players the Cardinals should have trusted more against the Phillies

Hindsight is always 20-20. Given that and about a month, it’s easy to look back and see what could have been better for the Cardinals. 

Many a Major League Baseball fan didn’t anticipate the Cardinals would run into a juggernaut in the Philadelphia Phillies to end their fairytale-like season that saw the end to the careers of legends Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina.

But what a fantastic run the Phillies have had.

It all started with their stunning defeat of the Cardinals, specifically, that came back in the ninth inning of the first game of the Wild Card game. Ryan Helsley seemingly blew up while the Cardinals hitters couldn’t get a hit to save their season.

Many would point to the manager, Oli Marmol, and his coaches for these issues. While their Wild Card blow-up isn’t necessarily to blame, the Cardinals are looking for a new bench coach, a hitting coach, a pitching coach, and a bullpen coach. Bench coach Skip Schumaker will manage the Miami Marlins. Hitting coach Jeff Albert decided to step down from the team after feeling pressure from outside sources. Pitching coach Mike Maddux was looking to slow down while Bryan Eversgerd was reassigned within the organization.

Nolan Arenado decided to stay with the Cardinals for the next few years by choosing not to use his opt-out for free agency. Adam Wainwright is returning next year for his final season with the Cardinals. The two join a talented team but need a catcher, pitching, an outfielder, and a designated hitter, preferably a lefty. Luckily, John Mozeliak, Cardinals president of baseball operations, expects their payroll will increase in 2023.

So with new coaching and increased payroll, the Cardinals should have renewed hope for 2023.

With that renewed hope, let’s look back and see which players the Cardinals should have trusted more in that final series with the Phillies.

With all hands on deck for the Cardinals, Gorman should have been in Game 2

Nolan Gorman was a surprise addition to the Cardinals’ Wild Card roster. He was demoted to the Memphis Redbirds in the season’s final weeks. So it was a bit of a surprise to see him make the roster for the Wild Card game.

Down 6-2 in the ninth inning of the first game of the Wild Card series, Goman pinch-hit for Ben DeLuzio. Gorman singled on a sharp grounder to right fielder Nick Castellanos, scoring Nolan Arenado. Gorman had a huge hit, but the rally fell flat for the Cardinals.

Gorman stepping up big should have earned him a shot in the second game of the series. All hands should have been on deck for this game. Gorman could have been the starting designated hitter in the game, with Albert Pujols replacing him later on or vice versa, with Gorman replacing Pujols late in the game. Gorman could have been given another opportunity to pinch hit after coming up clutch in the first game.

I’m sure analytics played a part in the decision. Marmol also felt a sense of loyalty to Pujols to provide every opportunity to be the hero for the Cardinals. But, in hindsight, Gorman should have been given another shot at coming up clutch for the Cardinals. Gorman will likely have a list of things to work on this offseason to improve his shot at staying with the Cardinals all season and making big contributions.

Cardinals’ Giovanny Gallegos should have been trusted to finish the 8th inning

Cardinals reliever Giovanny Gallegos pitched the seventh inning and got one out in the eighth inning of Friday’s game one match with the Phillies.

Gallegos was strong through 1.1 innings of work, giving up a walk and striking out one. He should have been given the trust to finish out that inning. Instead, the Cardinals brought in Ryan Helsley in hopes he could get the final five outs of the game.

And why not? He’d been effective but suffered a jammed finger in the next to last game of the season, preventing him from pitching in the final regular season home game. Plus, he was never as effective throughout the season when asked to go over an inning of work.

Helsley started the ninth by striking out Rhys Hoskins. J.T. Realmuto singled to left field. This hit was followed up by a mound visit, where it was learned he had some lingering effects from the jammed finger suffered earlier in the week. Helsley then walked Bryce Harper. Helsley has revisited. It could be determined that this was a way to buy some time to get someone ready in either Jack Flaherty or Andre Pallante.

Helsley then walk Castellanos. And then, Alec Bohm was hit by a Helsley pitch, allowing Realmuto to score. Edmundo Sosa was brought in to replace Bohm, and Pallante was brought in to pitch.

Pallante, a rookie who had been huge for the Cardinals throughout the season, was put in a terrible situation and plated five runs before getting the final two outs of the ninth.

Expecting Helsley to get the final five outs of the game was terrible, given the jammed finger. It’s not been clear if Helsley was possibly dishonest about how he was feeling so the team would have no fear of using him. But as soon as he gave up the single to Realmuto and he was visited on the mound, a better attempt should have been given to getting someone ready.

The situation may have been avoided altogether by allowing Gallegos to finish out the eighth inning.

Cardinals’ Jack Flaherty should have been brought in relief over Pallante

Andre Pallante was an incredible asset to the Cardinals throughout the 2022 summer. Given opportunities to start, relieve and even close, he was good and effective as an innings eating asset who could throw strikes.

It’s understandable why Marmol decided to bring in Pallante in relief of Helsley. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the right decision this time. Pallante was put in a bad situation and couldn’t get those final two outs before plating give runs.

Jack Flaherty has been seen as one of the Cardinals best pitchers, a sure fire ace and a guy to be depended on in tough situations.

Situations like what Pallante was put in.

It would have been fun to see Flaherty get the opportunity to be lights out in the situation. It could have been something to generate momentum for the bottom of the ninth. It would have built momentum going into Game 2 and more.

Instead we’re left with plenty of what-ifs.

Big games are what Cardinals Adam Wainwright is made of and should have been given opportunity

While he may not have been able to help due to his pitching issues that ended his season, Adam Wainwright is made for big game situations in the playoffs and definitely should have been given an opportunity to even pitch an inning or two in Game 2.

The Cardinals should have had all hands on deck for Game 2. No question. One set of those hands should have been Wainwright’s with the full knowledge that he would step up big in the moment with Yadier Molina by his side.

It was a completely missed opportunity. But, it does seem to have added fuel to the fire that brought Wainwright back to the Cardinals for a final ride in 2023.