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Cardinals News: An Opening Day weekend breakdown
The 2023 season got underway this weekend with some fireworks and surprises.
While it got frustrating at times, the Cardinals' 2023 season got underway. One thing is certain; it's great to have Cardinal baseball back.
The Cardinals lost Thursday 10-9, they won on Saturday 4-1, and on Sunday, the Cardinals won 9-4.
Miles Mikolas got roughed up in his first start of the season Thursday. He threw 3.1 innings, giving up ten hits, and five runs, but did strike out six batters. Zack Thompson relieved Mikolas, going 1.2 innings, giving up one hit while striking out three batters. Drew VerHagen pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up one hit but striking out a batter. Andre Pallante pitched 1.1 innings, giving up two hits, a walk, and a run.
Jordan Hicks pitched an inning, giving up three hits, a walk, and two runs while striking out a batter. Hicks also allowed a 102.3 mph pitch to go a bit wild, nailing Willson Contreras in the area of his kneecap. Contreras had to be helped off the field as he was in much pain. X-rays were clear of damage. He didn't play Saturday but was available on Sunday. Hicks was credited with a blown save.
Ryan Helsley closed out the game, going into the ninth inning. He gave up two hits, a walk, and two runs. He received the loss as well as a blown save.
The offense had a great game, which we'll discuss later.
On Saturday, Jack Flaherty got his first start of the season. He was hyped for it too.
Jack is ready for 2023! pic.twitter.com/Fdl7BHKKt3
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 1, 2023
Flaherty gave up no hits through five innings of work with four strikeouts. In theory, this sounds like a great outing. But, please note Flaherty also gave up seven walks. While the no-hit baseball is an excellent trend, he can not allow so many walks. That can not happen again! Otherwise, it was great to see him compete again. While he had some frustrating moments, it was definitely a good start for him and shows that he can regain his composure and get back on track.
VerHagen pitched an inning of relief, striking out two batters. Pallante pitched an inning of work, giving up a hit. Hicks pitched one-third of an inning, giving up three walks and a run. Hicks has a 20.25 ERA after the appearance. Hicks may need a reset because he has not started the season on the best path. Hicks has a lot of talent, but watching him be so ineffective is frustrating.
Helsley was able to close out the game and get his first save of the season. He worked 1.2 innings, giving up two hits while striking out two.
On Sunday, the Cardinals won 9-4 earning a series victory over the Blue Jays. Jordan Montgomery pitched a gutsy five innings for the Cardinals. He gave up six hits, a walk, and three runs. He did strike out three batters.
Chris Stratton pitched 1.2 innings, giving up three hits while striking out one. He gave up a bloop run. Packy Naughton pitched the final 2.1 innings, giving up one hit while striking out two.
Next up for the Cardinals is a three-game set against the Atlanta Braves starting Monday. Now let's discuss the offense and some of the highlights of Opening Day weekend.
Adam Wainwright DID shine on Opening Day
He didn't take the mound Thursday afternoon, but Wainwright put on a performance during Opening Day festivities that few will ever forget.
In what seemed like a huge surprise to the fans and his teammates, Wainwright sang the National Anthem. If you haven't, please watch!
ADAM WAINWRIGHT! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Z77qGTRo5r
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) March 30, 2023
You could tell he was a bit nervous but he did a great job in a big moment. Considering all of the big moments Cardinals have seen from Wainwright over the seasons, this was a highlight all its own for Uncle Charlie.
Lineup was ready for Opening Day
Down 3-0 in the first inning, Nolan Arenado got the scoring underway with a line drive single to left field, scoring Brendan Donovan. In the third inning, Tyler O'Neill showed off his strength with his first home run of the season with a fly to center field, scoring Willson Contreras. The blast traveled 403 feet at 105.2 mph.
This was O'Neill's fourth consecutive Opening Day homer.
That is 4 consecutive Opening Days with a home run for Tyler O'Neill, tying a major-league record! pic.twitter.com/TkUlMkG0YH
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) March 30, 2023
Brendan Donovan hit his first home run of the season the next inning on a fly to right-center field, scoring Tommy Edman. The blast traveled 388 feet at 99 mph. The Cardinals took the lead in the next inning on a single to right field, scoring Donovan. The Cardinals retook the lead in the seventh inning as Jordan Walker, making his Major League debut, ground into a force-out, allowing Conteras to score.
Down 8-7 in the eighth inning, Arenado knocked a ground-rule double, knocking the ball 291 feet at 107.4 mph. Unfortunately, that was all the Cardinals could put together, as they couldn't hold off some ninth-inning magic from the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays won 10-9.
It was great to see that the team didn't give up on hitting and did scrap-together runs. Unfortunately, nine runs weren't enough Thursday.
Lineup on positive side of scraping together runs on Saturday
It was appropriate to see the Cardinals honor Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado with the pre-game presentation of the Silver Slugger Awards.
Paul Goldschmidt & Nolan Arenado received their 2022 Silver Slugger Awards! pic.twitter.com/1eRlb5ivnc
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 1, 2023
In the third inning Saturday, Arenado got the Cardinals on the board thanks to a throwing error from Matt Chapman, allowing Brendan Donovan to score. Nolan Gorman knocked a single to left field, allowing Goldschmidt and Arenado to score.
2-out hitting! pic.twitter.com/RCimPYBx1w
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 1, 2023
Jordan Walker capped off the victory with a single on a sharp drive to second base. The hit allowed Arenado to score.
Sunday Funday for the Cardinals
The Cardinals got home run happy off Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt.
Brendan Donovan led off the Cardinals' half of the first inning with a home run on a fly to right center field. Alec Burleson went back to back, getting a homer on a fly to left field. The blast traveled 363 feet at 101.2 mph.
Later that inning, Nolan Gorman knocked his first homer of the season on a fly to right-center field, scoring Willson Contreras. The blast traveled 446 feet at 105.2 mph. In the third inning, Nolan Arenado singled on a sharp liner to left field, scoring Burleson. Gorman then hit his second homer of the day on another fly to right center field, to score Arenado. The blast traveled 395 feet at 104.5 mph.
NOLAN GORMAN X 2 pic.twitter.com/Wv7trZcLO7
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 2, 2023
This is great to see Gorman off to such a great start this season as the team's designated hitter.
Just an epic afternoon at the plate for the Cardinals. The series had its frustrating moments, but it's a good start for the Cardinals.
Next. Cardinals' 2023 Opening Day reactions . dark