St Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals set a franchise record by winning their 15th straight game with an 8-5 defeat of the host Chicago Cubs on Saturday at Wrigley Field.

A straight hand of Cards!

15-in-a-row is a team record! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QDphAYlRL9

— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2021

The 1935 Cardinals' 14-game winning streak stood alone as the franchise's gold standard until Friday, when the 2021 Redbirds tied them with a 12-4 win over the Cubs in the second game of a doubleheader.

On Saturday, the Cardinals got solo home runs from Harrison Bader and Tyler O'Neill but trailed 4-2 going into the seventh inning.

Bader loves playing in the Saturday blues! pic.twitter.com/xhcmuRPija

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) September 25, 2021

O'Neill is taking up residence on Waveland at this point! pic.twitter.com/J4ukG3J7Mi

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) September 25, 2021

St. Louis then posted three runs on RBI singles by Bader and Lars Nootbaar and a Paul DeJong sacrifice fly.

https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1441864598743834624

The Cards got in trouble in the bottom of the eighth inning when David Bote smacked a leadoff triple and Trayce Thompson walked.

However, T.J. McFarland struck out Sergio Alcantara and induced an unconventional double play off Rafael Ortega's bat.

3-2-5-4-2-8-6 double play! pic.twitter.com/YtNDNW5ZLM

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) September 25, 2021

The Cardinals put the game away in the top of the ninth. Bader scored on a wild pitch, and DeJong crushed a two-run homer.

The @Cardinals can taste it. 1️⃣5️⃣ pic.twitter.com/8QNpp6f6OR

— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2021

The Cubs' Ian Happ countered with a two-out solo shot in the bottom of the ninth, but Luis Garcia struck out Patrick Wisdom looking to end the game.

Bader paced the Cards with four hits, three runs and two RBI.

The Cardinals haven't had too many nail-biters during their streak, though Saturday's victory certainly qualified as one.

Other notable wins include the first one, in which the Cardinals overcome a 4-0 deficit to win 6-4 against the Cincinnati Reds. They overcame a 5-0 deficit to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-5 on Thursday.

St. Louis also won a seesaw battle with the New York Mets 7-6 in 11 innings. It scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth last Saturday to edge the San Diego Padres 3-2.

The streak includes two wins against the Reds, three apiece against the Mets and Padres, four at the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers and three more at the Cubs.

The 1916 New York Giants hold the record for the longest winning streak at 26. The best the Cardinals can do is tie the second-best mark of 22 games set by 2017 Cleveland. They have seven regular-season games remaining (four more versus the Cubs and three against the Brewers).

The Cardinals improved to 86-69 and solidified their stronghold on the second National League wild-card spot. The 80-74 Philadelphia Phillies are the next-closest team.

The St. Louis Cardinals just keep on winning. 

After sweeping Friday's doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs, the Cardinals have now won 14 consecutive games to tie the longest winning streak in franchise history

The @Cardinals have tied their longest winning streak in franchise history with their 14th straight win.

The record was set in 1935.

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) September 25, 2021

The 1935 Cardinals won 14 straight games from July 2 to 18. They finished the regular season with a 96-58 record, but missed out on the playoffs because the format at the time had the top team in each league play in the World Series. 

These were the lineups in 1935 when the @Cardinals won their 14th straight game. pic.twitter.com/MhG238LCIy

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) September 25, 2021

The Cubs (100-54) lost to the New York Yankees in the Fall Classic. That season was also notable because Chicago had a 21-game winning streak that began on Sept. 2, when it trailed the Cardinals by 2.5 games. 

This year's streak by the Cardinals is the longest in MLB this season. When it began on Sept. 11, they were 71-69 overall and trailed the Cincinnati Reds by three games for the second NL wild-card spot. 

After Friday's sweep of the Cubs, the Cardinals have a five-game cushion over the Philadelphia Phillies for the final playoff spot in the National League with an 85-69 record. 

St. Louis also owns the longest winning streak in MLB this season after its 12-4 win on Friday night. The Oakland Athletics previously held that title with 13 consecutive victories from April 9 to 24. 

The Cardinals can set a new franchise winning streak on Saturday. They will send former Cub Jon Lester to the mound against Adrian Sampson at Wrigley Field starting at 2:20 p.m. ET.    

One day after agreeing to a contract extension with the St. Louis Cardinals, Yadier Molina has confirmed that the 2022 season will be his last. 

Speaking to reporters about his new deal, Molina was asked if he planned to retire after next season. 

"Yes, yes, it will be my final season."

-- Yadier Molina when asked by @hochman on Zoom if 2022 will be his last year in the majors.

"I want to finish here in this great organization."#Cardinals #stlcards #MLB

— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) August 25, 2021

The Cardinals announced prior to Tuesday's game against the Detroit Tigers that Molina agreed to a one-year contract extension. 

Molina also told reporters he "can't wait to put that red jacket on" in reference to being involved with the organization and working with young players after his playing career is over. 

It seemed unlikely that Molina would ever play for another organization before hanging up his cleats. 

The 39-year-old told the La Vida Baseball podcast in January when he was still a free agent that he would be fine with walking away from the game if it came to that. 

“If God wants me to come back, then I'll come back," Molina said (h/t Corey Miller of KSDK). "And if not I will retire happy with my head held high." 

The Cardinals eventually re-signed Molina to a one-year, $9 million deal. His latest extension will keep him in St. Louis for his 19th season in the big leagues. 

Molina has spent his entire career with the Cardinals. He was a fourth-round pick by the franchise in the 2000 draft and made his MLB debut four years later. 

The Puerto Rican is a 10-time All-Star selection. His nine career Gold Glove awards are the most among all active catchers and ranks third all-time, behind Ivan Rodriguez (13) and Johnny Bench (10).    

Yadier Molina is returning to the St. Louis Cardinals for a 19th season in 2022. 

Per Katie Woo of The Athletic, the 39-year-old agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract extension Tuesday.

There had been speculation during the season that Molina and the Cardinals were working toward a new deal. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on Aug. 19 that both sides were "encouraged" by their recent discussions. 

Woo and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic noted Molina was seeking a one-year deal worth more than the $9 million he received in 2021. 

Amid prolonged negotiations last offseason, Molina said he would be willing to retire. 

"If God wants me to come back, then I'll come back," he told the La Vida Baseball podcast in January 2021 (h/t Corey Miller of KDSK.com). "And if not I will retire happy with my head held high." 

The Cardinals ultimately gave Molina a deal in early February, just before the start of spring training. He was named to the National League All-Star team in 2021, posting a .259/.304/.376 slash line in 94 games. 

It seemed unlikely that Molina would ever play for another organization if he decided to test free agency in the offseason. He has been with the Cardinals since being selected in the fourth round of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft. 

Molina is arguably the greatest catcher of this generation and undoubtedly a St. Louis legend. The Puerto Rico native is a 10-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner, helping the Cardinals win two World Series titles in 2006 and 2011.

The St. Louis Cardinals and team legend Yadier Molina are reportedly "in discussions" about a one-year contract extension for the 2022 MLB season.

Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Thursday that Molina, 39, is seeking a salary that at least matches his $9 million for 2021.

The 10-time All-Star catcher entered free agency after the 2020 season, and there were serious questions throughout the winter about whether the Cards would have the financial flexibility to bring him back.

In January, Molina told Cardinals broadcaster Polo Ascencio in a Facebook interview (via Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch) he wanted to return to the only MLB club he's ever known but was open to retirement if the right offer didn't arrive.

"Getting ready as always and God will tell," Molina said. "If God wants me to come back, then I'll come back. And if not I will retire happy with my head held high."

St. Louis and the future Hall of Fame backstop came to terms in February on the one-year, $9 million deal.

Molina was selected by the Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2000 MLB draft and made his major league debut in 2004. Along with the 10 All-Star appearances, he's also won nine Gold Glove Awards and helped the franchise win World Series titles in 2006 and 2011.

The Puerto Rico native is no longer the offensive threat he was during his prime—he's posted a .681 OPS with eight home runs across 91 appearances in 2021; his career-high totals in those categories are .874 and 22, both in 2012—but he's remained an above-average defender with a plus-five DRS (defensive runs saved), per FanGraphs.

Molina also continues to serve as one of the Cards' clubhouse leaders alongside Adam Wainwright, 39, who also hit the free-agent market before re-signing in late January.

St. Louis doesn't have a clear replacement for 2022, as Ivan Herrera, their top catching prospect, is in Double-A. Herrera has showed promising pop with 13 homers in 79 games this year, but he's hitting .227 and could benefit from more seasoning in the minors.

In turn, it makes sense for Molina to return for at least one more year, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Cardinals keep him around for 2023 to split duties with Herrera, as well.

After being named an injury replacement on the National League All-Star team on Saturday, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina decided against playing in the All-Star Game.

According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Molina will instead use the All-Star break to rest his ailing foot.

Molina, who turns 39 on Tuesday, earned his 10th career All-Star nod after San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey pulled out of the All-Star Game with a thumb injury that landed him on the 10-day injured list.

In his 18th MLB season, Molina is slashing .258/.305/.417 with eight home runs, 40 RBI and 26 runs scored. 

Along with being a 10-time All-Star, Molina is a one-time Silver Slugger award winner and one of the greatest defensive backstops of all time with nine Gold Gloves and four Platinum Gloves.

Molina played a key role in the Cards winning the World Series in 2006 and 2011 as well.

St. Louis entered play Saturday in fourth place in the NL Central with a 43-46 record, 9.5 games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers.

With Posey out of the All-Star Game, reserve catcher J.T. Realmuto of the Philadelphia Phillies was inserted into the NL's starting lineup.

Now, MLB must decide on a replacement for Molina, and there are a few solid options to choose from.

Milwaukee's Omar Narvaez, Willson Contreras of the Chicago Cubs and Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers stand out most.

Narvaez is hitting .301 with eight homers and 26 RBI, Contreras is hitting .236 with 13 home runs and 31 RBI, and Smith is hitting .254 with 10 homers and 31 RBI.

The 2021 MLB All-Star Game will take place at the Colorado Rockies' Coors Field in Denver on Tuesday night.

St. Louis Cardinals star Yadier Molina exited Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds and is considered day-to-day with a left knee contusion.

Molina took a foul ball off the bat of Kyle Farmer while working behind the plate in the fourth inning. The Cardinals brought on Andrew Knizner as their new catcher once the nine-time All-Star was deemed unavailable.

Molina entered Saturday batting .279 with seven home runs, 27 RBI and a .497 slugging percentage, the last of which is his highest since 2012. He ranks 11th in WAR (1.2) among catchers so far, per FanGraphs.

Simply by remaining an everyday catcher, the 38-year-old continues to defy Father Time. Unlike most notable backstops, he has yet to make a full-time move to first base.

At 31-27, the Cardinals are 1.5 games back of the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. They're 3.5 games off the final wild-card spot in the NL, with the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers leading that race.

St. Louis closes out its four-game set with the Reds on Sunday and has a two-game series with Cleveland between off days Monday and Thursday.

Since Molina's injury doesn't appear to be too serious, his time out of the lineup could be minimal.

That could be good news for the Cards since Knizner is batting .225 with a .319 slugging percentage through 54 games over three seasons.

And considering Paul DeJong and Harrison Bader are both on the injured list, manager Mike Shildt can ill afford to be without another regular contributor in his lineup.

St. Louis Cardinals star Jack Flaherty was moved to the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain, the team announced Tuesday.

Katie Woo of The Athletic added more details to the report, saying that Flaherty's injury is "significant" and manager Mike Shildt had no timetable for his return. 

To fill the void on the roster, Johan Oviedo was called up from the team's Triple-A affiliate.

Flaherty's last outing came Monday, when he lasted 5.0 innings and gave up two runs, fanning nine in the process. He exited with left side tightness and told reporters his exit was more preventative than of immediate concern, but it seems that has changed after he went through additional testing on Tuesday, per Woo. 

The 25-year-old is one of the strongest hurlers in the league right now. In his fifth year with the Cardinals, he has an MLB-best eight wins through 11 starts, posting a 2.90 ERA. He has walked 20 and struck out 67 for the Cardinals, who enter Tuesday's tilt with the Los Angeles Dodgers just half a game behind the Chicago Cubs for first place in the NL Central.

Oviedo, who is in his second year in the league, has made five appearances this season and has a 5.40 ERA through 20.0 innings. 

With an upcoming series against the Cincinnati Reds, the Cardinals will look to Adam Wainwright, Kwang Hyun Kim and John Gant to lead the rotation, per Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat. 

St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt believes that tons of baseball players are using illegal substances, so his pitcher shouldn't be called out for it.

"This is baseball's dirty little secret, and it's the wrong time in the wrong arena to expose it," Shildt said after his team's 4-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

As Ryan Fagan of Sporting News noted, umpire Joe West confiscated relief pitcher Giovanny Gallegos' hat after inspecting it for substances and then ejected Shildt for arguing about it during the game:

Joe West confiscates Giovanny Gallegos’ hat and ejects Mike Shildt pic.twitter.com/XF0vnbqeeX

— Ryan Fagan (@ryanfagan) May 26, 2021

"Gio wears the same hat all year," Shildt continued. "Are these things that baseball really wants to crack down on? No, it's not. I know that firsthand from the commissioner's office. … There are people not even trying to hide and flipping the bird to the league for using concocted substances. It felt like a setup, to be honest with you."

Mike Shildt sounds off on Giovanny Gallegos' hat being confiscated: "You want to police some sunscreen and rosin? Go ahead. Get every single person in this league. ... Why don't you start with the guys that are cheating with some stuff that's really impacting the game?" pic.twitter.com/02RetNKwQZ

— FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (@FanDuelSN_MW) May 26, 2021

West commented on the incident after the game and said he was looking to protect Gallegos from ejection or punishment by having him switch his hat:

I was the pool reporter who spoke to Joe West about the incident with Giovanny Gallegos’s cap which ended in Mike Shildt’s ejection. Here’s what he had to say: pic.twitter.com/ybryL3CBd1

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) May 26, 2021

In March, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the league sent a memo before the season explaining its plan to crack down on substances. The plan was to use compliance officers, lab tests of random samples of baseballs and Statcast spin-rate analysis to compare pitchers' spin rate to their norms.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported in April that MLB was investigating Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer after suspicious substances were found on baseballs from one of his starts.

Umpires collected baseballs from one of Bauer's starts and sent them to the league for more inspection after they reportedly had "visible markings and were sticky."

As for Wednesday's game, the incident didn't impact Gallegos' performance.

He pitched 1.2 shutout innings and struck out three as the Cardinals ended their three-game losing streak.

The St. Louis Cardinals could have brought the legendary Albert Pujols back for an encore after he parted ways with the Los Angeles Angels, but he eventually signed with the L.A. Dodgers.

Cardinals president John Mozeliak said such a move would have been complex for the National League Central team.

"Clearly, the story of trying to bring him back would have been an exciting narrative, but the reality on how much playing time, and where he fit in, seemed very complicated at this time," he said, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

There were some connections between Pujols and the Cardinals prior to his signing with the Dodgers.

Katie Woo of The Athletic reported the team held "limited internal conversations" about bringing him back, while Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported there was some interest.

"That's like the million dollar question," Pujols said in March when asked if he will ever return to the Cardinals, per Nightengale. "Everybody asks me that. Hey, I don't know what's going to happen. This is the last year of my contract, and I feel like I can play. I feel good. My body feels great. Mentally, I feel like I can continue to play. But I don't know, we'll see what happens. Who knows?"

Whether the 41-year-old ever rejoins St. Louis, he will forever be one of the best players in franchise history.

His two World Series titles, three MVP awards, six Silver Sluggers and two Gold Gloves all came with the Cardinals, as did nine of his 10 All-Star selections.

Pujols had a .328/.420/.617 slash line with 445 home runs and 1,329 RBI in 11 seasons with St. Louis, which was much better than his slash line of .256/.311/.447 with 222 home runs and 783 RBI in 10 seasons with the Angels.

Still, Pujols is past his prime and would have struggled to crack the lineup for the Cardinals considering there is no designated hitter in the National League and Paul Goldschmidt is entrenched at first base.