5 thoughts from Cardinals series win over the Cubs

Nothing like a series where the Cardinals and Cubs play, giving the Cards a needed series victory.

The Cardinals took two of three games from the Cubs at Wrigley Field. After the worst start in 50 years for the Cardinals, it was a needed series win. The Cardinals won Monday 3-1, on Tuesday 6-4, and on Wednesday, the Cardinals lost 10-4.

While Monday's win was a solid victory, they won in comeback fashion on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, they had some bad luck haunt them again. Let's discuss five thoughts after the Cardinals' series win over the Cubs.

5. Jack Flaherty is really frustrated

Flaherty had a no-decision in his start Tuesday. He pitched five innings giving up five walks, seven hits, and three earned runs, including a home run to Dansby Swanson, scoring Nick Madrigal. He did throw three strikeouts.

Most notable from Flaherty's start was the change in velocity throughout. Members of the media questioned if Flaherty was suffering from injury being the cause of the velocity change. Flaherty snarled at those accusations saying that he often will play with the velocity and those who would dare to question that don't know the craft of pitching.

Here's the video of the post-game interview with Flaherty as it appeared live on Bally Sports Midwest. As you can see, Flaherty is frustrated and defensive.

Flaherty's reaction is cringeworthy. The frustration is understandable, but this was pretty odd. Hopefully, he will continue to work on things, including his velocity, and not allow things to get away from his control. Obviously, he is big on maintaining a mindset that focuses on being in the moment and not letting outside influences get in his head. He had a human moment, but hopefully, he will get in check and return stronger.

Andre Pallante relieved Flaherty, pitching 1.2 innings, giving up a walk and a home run to Christopher Morel. He did strike out a batter. Chris Stratton earned his first season victory, pitching 1.1 innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two batters. Giovanny Gallegos earned his second save of the season, pitching the ninth.

3. Adam Wainwright is a good leader

That does seem like an understatement, but it is very accurate. After a massive public relations nightmare into the handling of Willson Contreras and his move to be the team designated hitter while he learns the Cardinal Way of handling pitchers, Wainwright made sense of what was happening.

Waino noted a conversation he had with Contreras where he "poured into" him to let him know that they love and appreciate him and that he will be their guy behind the plate. He stressed how much he enjoyed that Contreras was a Cardinal and wasn't sure if he'd been told that, but he wanted to make sure he knew.

It is essential to know that you are valued and appreciated. It's excellent that Waino stepped up to let Contreras know this. It seems ridiculous that the two individuals who were critical of Contreras didn't vocalize this as they demoted him. National media was critical of Contreras being made a scapegoat by the president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak, and manager Oli Marmol for a pitching staff that didn't change over the offseason and couldn't adapt to a new catcher.

It's good that Waino stepped up to be that leader his teammate needed. It was refreshing to see him in the dugout talking with Contreras who seemed happy and relieved to know that someone has his back. While Jack Flaherty was apparently in this meeting, I hope others have stepped up for Contreras.

2. Willson Contreras shines in return to Chicago

Contreras' first game back with the Cubs was excellent. He seemingly thrived from the boos greeting the once-a-key figure of the organization.

On Monday, he was the offense. Contreras scored off a single from Dylan Carlson to left field in the second inning. In the sixth inning, Contreras doubled to centerfield, scoring Lars Nootbaar. He ground into a force-out in the eighth inning, scoring Nootbaar.

It was great to see Contreras thrive in his return to Wrigley. The return to Wrigley, plus his fellowship with Waino, should really kickstart his comeback.

1. A sweep would have been really nice

Riding high from a three-game winning streak, it would have been ideal for the Cardinals to sweep the Cubs. Instead of getting a winning performance from Jordan Montgomery, he looked off, and the offense couldn't scrap together enough runs to be out of the Cubs.

Things looked like they would get off to a good start when Nolan Arenado tripled to right field, scoring Paul Goldschmidt. That's right, an opposite-field hit.

Contreras knocked a single to the right, scoring Andrew Knizner in the third inning. Lars Nootbaar singled to center in the sixth to score Juan Yepez. Tommy Edman singled to center field in the ninth to score Paul DeJong.

They didn't give up on scoring. They couldn't get enough runs together to score. And that's frustrating when a series sweep was right there for the taking. The Cardinals continue the road trip as they take on the Red Sox at Fenway this weekend.