Central STL News

Even though the St. Louis Cardinals are out of playoff contention and the Chicago Cubs have secured their postseason spot, their late September game at Wrigley Field on Saturday still produced notable moments.

Michael Busch of the Cubs nearly hit for the cycle, recording a home run in both the first and fifth innings, a double in the third, and a triple in the seventh. When he came to bat in the eighth inning needing only a single to complete the cycle, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol ordered an intentional walk. The decision drew boos from Chicago fans.

“I’m not here for anybody’s amusement,” said Marmol. “I’m trying to win a game. The next guy [Nico Hoerner] grounded out to the pitcher, so I think it worked.”

Cubs manager Craig Counsell supported Marmol’s move: “That’s a baseball decision. Rightfully, it was not met with friendliness from the home crowd, but it’s just a baseball decision.”

Earlier in that inning, Dansby Swanson stole his 20th base of the season after hitting a double following Pete Crow-Armstrong’s two-run homer. Swanson now joins teammates Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker as Cubs players with at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases this season—a feat that ties Major League records previously set by teams like the 1988 Mets and 2009 Phillies.

Swanson commented on Busch missing out on history: “I understand it. They’re still competing and figuring that’s the way to give them a chance to win. I hate that we obviously didn’t get a chance at some history today for him. I hate it for Buschy. But I guess I’d be a little bit sick of watching him hit a lot of homers and all that kind of stuff, too.”

Busch has been particularly successful against St. Louis this year; with one matchup remaining between these teams, he is batting .467/.510/1.222 against them with nine home runs, five doubles, and 17 RBIs.

Reflecting on his performance Saturday, Busch said: “I just felt good today. Selfishly, I wanted the at-bat,” he admitted about wanting another shot at completing his cycle. “But there’s nothing better than the victory itself.”

Marmol stated there was no connection between ordering Busch’s intentional walk and Swanson's earlier steal attempt: “We’re giving it to him there with our [pitcher’s] headwork,” he said regarding Swanson's steal attempt earlier in the inning. “He should take it. Take advantage of it.”

Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy noted how loud Wrigley Field got during those key moments: "I loved it," Marmol said about hearing fans’ reactions throughout Wrigley Field during those late-inning decisions by both teams' managers."Honestly, I did.I love playing here.There's real home-field advantage,the way they go about it,and you feel animosity.I absolutely loved reaction,and respect it,I really do."