Central STL News

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals faced challenges in their lineup following Iván Herrera's recent move to the injured list. His absence was felt as the team struggled against left-handed pitchers in their series against the Chicago Cubs.

The Cardinals scored 16 runs in the first two games of the four-game series but were shut out in the final two matches. Shota Imanaga, returning from a hamstring strain, led the Cubs to a 3-0 victory on Thursday, splitting the series.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol commented on facing left-handed pitchers: “You look at our lineup and guys that are feeling pretty good about their swings, they're left-handed, and then we face two lefties on the back end of this four-game set, so that has something to do with it,” he said. He also noted Herrera’s absence: “You look at Herrera being out, a guy that we like against lefties as well.”

Imanaga and four Cubs relievers held the Cardinals to three hits. St. Louis failed to score in its last 22 innings after an 8-0 loss on Wednesday.

The Cardinals had opportunities late in the game but were unable to capitalize. In the seventh inning, Nolan Gorman's potential gap shot was caught by Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. In the ninth inning, Alec Burleson doubled and Willson Contreras was hit by a pitch, but Daniel Palencia struck out three batters to secure his eighth save for Chicago.

Contreras remained optimistic: “I think we're good,” he said after exchanging words with Palencia post-game. “Just a matter of two games and we need to turn the page and focus on tomorrow.”

Andre Pallante started for St. Louis and allowed two runs on seven hits over five innings. Michael Busch hit a home run off Pallante in the second inning.

Pallante reflected on his performance: “Didn't have a great command of my four-seam fastball today,” he said. Manager Marmol praised Pallante’s efforts against Chicago's lineup: “He probably mixed as well as he's mixed all year.”

Chicago added another run in the eighth inning when Crow-Armstrong scored during a play involving Dansby Swanson.

Imanaga’s return from injury proved successful as he retired 14 of his last 15 batters over five innings with three strikeouts.

This marks the first time since September 2022 that St. Louis has been shut out in consecutive games.

Marmol summarized their performance: “We played three really good games, and then yesterday, I wouldn't count that as a good one.”