50度灰视频

The immediate decision Lance Lynn and the Cardinals had to make about his future with the club would be left up to his right knee and how uncomfortable it was when he woke up Wednesday, the veteran starter said.

The knee had a vote, and it put him back on the injured list.

The Cardinals expected that as an outcome headed into the game.

"He's pitched through real stuff this year," manager Oliver Marmol said.

Lynn's encore season with the Cardinals came to an official end Wednesday when the club placed the right-hander on the 15-day IL with inflammation in his right knee. It's a similar injury that caused him to miss about six weeks in the middle of the season.

50度灰视频 Cardinals

Timely homer, tidy relief combine to give Cardinals鈥� Lance Lynn win in his 100th game at Busch

• Derrick Goold

The Cardinals promoted prospect Michael McGreevy to take Lynn's spot on the active roster. McGreevy's preparation for a promotion was reported Tuesday in the Post-Dispatch.

After six strong innings Tuesday night and a victory to improve to 6-0 at Busch Stadium this season, Lynn said if he made another start for the Cardinals this season he wanted it to be at home.

He spoke at length late Tuesday night about that decision and possibly leaving his final game as a Cardinal with a win.

The Cardinals have a $12 million option for 2025 to keep Lynn on the roster, or they can elect to pay a $1 million buyout and allow him to become a free agent. In the same story linked above, Lynn talks about the decision he'll face on whether to pitch in 2025, when he'll turn 38. The Cardinals have not made a decision on his option, though the team is indicating changes to a roster that has hovered around .500 all season.

Lynn finished the 2024 season with a 7-4 record and a 3.84 ERA in 23 starts.

His win on Tuesday night against Pittsburgh meant that, in his 100th career appearance at Busch Stadium, Lynn got his 46th win here. This season, he reached 2,000 strikeouts in his career as well as 2,000 innings. A thousand of those innings have come with the Cardinals, the team that drafted him out of Ole Miss in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft and debuted him in the majors three years later for a team bound for a World Series championship.

McGreevy, 24, was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday for Class AAA Memphis.

The right-hander impressed earlier this season in a spot start for the big league Cardinals. He allowed one run on five hits through seven innings, and he earned the win in his major league debut. In 27 starts for the Triple-A Redbirds, McGreevy went 9-8 with a 4.02 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 150 innings.

The Cardinals' first-round pick in 2021, McGreevy has gone 8-2 with a 2.80 ERA in his past 17 starts for Memphis.

He has 97 strikeouts in 99鈪� innings in that span.

The Cardinals announced Andre Pallante will start Sunday's game, the regular season home finale. McGreevy will spend the coming games in the bullpen, and he will be considered for a start during next week's closing road trip.

50度灰视频 Cardinals

Sonny Gray leads Cardinals vs. ex-Redbird Jake Woodford, Pirates: First Pitch

• Staff report

50度灰视频 Cardinals

If this is how it ends for Lance Lynn with the Cardinals, he went out a (dadgum) winner

• Derrick Goold

50度灰视频 Cardinals

Timely homer, tidy relief combine to give Cardinals鈥� Lance Lynn win in his 100th game at Busch

• Derrick Goold

Photos: Walker's home run in fourth inning and solid pitiching combine for a Cardinals 3-1 win over Pirates

The Cardinals continue a four-game home series Wednesday against the Pirates. First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m.

50度灰视频 has won the first two. The Cardinals held on Tuesday after blanking the Pirates in Monday's opener.

Right-hander Sonny Gray (13-9, 3.75) will take the mound Wednesday for the Cardinals.

Gray has put up quality starts in each of his last three outings and expressed optimism after his last start that he was on the verge of being "really good."

He's holding opponents to a .136 batting average against in that three-game span.

The Pirates will counter with right-hander and former Cardinal Jake Woodford (0-6, 8.01).

Woodford appeared in 80 games for the Cardinals from 2020-23. He was non-tendered by the Cardinals in November, which made him a free agent. Woodford made two starts with the White Sox before being designated for assignment and picked up by Pittsburgh.

Woodford is 0-4 with a 6.95 ERA in six games, four of them starts, with Pittsburgh this year. He's being called up from Triple-A to join the Pirates.

50度灰视频 Cardinals

Lance Lynn's encore Cardinals season comes to an end on IL; Michael McGreevy promoted

• Derrick Goold

Before the game, the Cardinals placed pitcher Lance Lynn (right knee inflammation) on the 15-day injured list and recalled pitcher Michael McGreevy recalled from Triple-A Memphis. The moves ends Lynn's season.

The Cardinals are 76-75, third in the NL Central and seven games out of the final wild-card spot. 50度灰视频 is mathematically eliminated from catching division-leading Milwaukee.

The Pirates are 71-80, last in the NL Central and 16-27 since the start of August.

Pittsburgh's Oneil Cruz remains out with an ankle injury suffered in the Bucs' previous series. Cruz made a pinch-hit appearance Tuesday but has not been in the starting lineup yet this series.

Lineups

CARDINALS

1. Masyn Winn, SS

2. Alec Burleson, DH

3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B

4. Nolan Arenado, 3B

5. Brendan Donovan, 2B

6. Iv谩n Herrera, C

7. Lars Nootbaar, LF

8. Jordan Walker, RF

9. Michael Siani, CF

P: Sonny Gray, RHP

PIRATES

1. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS

2. Bryan Reynolds, LF

3. Joey Bart, C

4. Andrew McCutchen, DH

5. Nick Gonzales, 2B

6. Bryan De La Cruz, RF

7. Nick Yorke, 3B

8. Jared Triolo, 1B

9. Billy Cook, CF

P: Jake Woodford, RHP

Injury report

Willson Contreras (fractured finger):听罢丑别 catcher fractured the middle finger on his right hand when struck by a pitch Aug. 24, and his season is effectively over following an exam Monday with team medical officials. He was prescribed another two weeks of inactivity to continue the healing process, and that assures he will not be able to play during the regular season, which ends when September does. Updated Sept. 17

Lance Lynn (right knee inflammation):听罢丑别 veteran's season came to an end Wednesday, a day after he pitched six strong innings to pick up a win over Pittsburgh and remain unbeaten at Busch since July 2017. His contract has a $12-million option for 2025, though factors are stacking up that would lead the Cardinals to decline it. Updated Sept. 18

Jeff Gordon

Gordo: Cardinals play catchup in the arms race with a half dozen promising prospects

• Jeff Gordon

50度灰视频 Cardinals

If this is how it ends for Lance Lynn with the Cardinals, he went out a (dadgum) winner

• Derrick Goold

50度灰视频 Cardinals

鈥楢 totally different guy鈥�: Andre Pallante forcing a rewrite on his role in Cardinals鈥� future

• Derrick Goold

Benjamin-hochman

Hochman: 鈥榃e don鈥檛 do damage.鈥� Cardinals' lack of home runs is surprising and brutal

• Benjamin Hochman

50度灰视频 Cardinals

Willson Contreras to miss final regular season stretch as finger heals: Cardinals Extra

• Daniel Guerrero

Minor-league

Cardinals prospect Chase Davis displays power in Class AA playoff win: Minor League Report

• Daniel Guerrero

With many members of his family in the stands and home all around him, rising three, four decks high, Lance Lynn knew everything he did Tuesday night at Busch Stadium might be the last time he does any of it as a Cardinal.

The last time buttoning up a white jersey with the redbirds for one of his starts.

The last warmup in that bullpen.

The last fastball off this mound.

And, even the last technicolor exultation after the last strikeout that echoes just so around the familiar field to stay ahead of the censors.

All of the potential lasts gave this outing added purpose.

鈥淥bviously, if this is your last start at Busch Stadium, you don鈥檛 want to lose,鈥� Lynn said. 鈥淭hat was simple. 鈥� It鈥檚 like one of those things. If this is your last time, let it all hang out. I said some things.鈥�

He also won. Again.

Lynn remained unbeaten at home this season and unbeaten at Busch since July 2017 after six sturdy innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. A runaway triple from Luken Baker tied the game, a timely solo homer from Jordan Walker broke that tie, and three unflinching innings from the bullpen secured a 3-1 victory for Lynn. Ryan Helsley punctuated what could be a parting gift for Lynn with his 45th save. Lynn improved to 7-4 for the season and 6-0 in 13 starts at Busch Stadium.

If the schedule and standings haven鈥檛, his knee will tell him if it鈥檚 his last.

Lynn and the Cardinals plan to discuss Wednesday if he鈥檒l make another start this season, and the decision will be based partially on how the veteran right-hander feels physically a day after Tuesday鈥檚 outing. At his locker 鈥� in the same spot Adam Wainwright stood a year ago following his last start as a Cardinal 鈥� Lynn guaranteed if he does make one more start it will be Sunday in the regular season鈥檚 home finale at Busch.

鈥淚f it鈥檚 my last start as a Cardinal, I would like it to be in 50度灰视频,鈥� Lynn said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l cross that bridge when I wake up and have that conversation.鈥�

That will be the first of several talks about his future.

Lynn, 37, signed a one-year deal to return to the Cardinals seven years after he left for free agency and 13 years after he debuted with the team that drafted him. The contract has a $12-million option for 2025, though factors are stacking up that would lead the Cardinals to decline it and pay the $1-million buyout. Lynn spent six weeks on the injured list with an angry, swollen knee. A second consecutive disappointing finish in the National League Central and a downturn in attendance will prompt retooling for the roster and the rotation. Lynn may seek a chance to chase another championship.

The club has not detailed its spending plans, though changes are expected in and around the clubhouse in response to a season spent orbiting .500.

After a season that included his 2,000th strikeout ahead of his 2,000th inning, Lynn has not yet decided if he鈥檒l pitch in 2025.

鈥淚f you ask me if I want to pitch, I never want to stop pitching,鈥� Lynn said. 鈥淚 know there is going to come a time when that is going to happen. Haven鈥檛 really thought about it. I know it鈥檚 part of getting older.鈥�

Which only added to the atmosphere 鈥� the vibe 鈥� of Tuesday鈥檚 game.

His 100th appearance at Busch and his 90th start there were another couple of round numbers to reach, especially when they could be the last.

"You get to this time of the year, and you know this is the last home stand, that it might be the last time you wear a Cardinals uniform in Busch Stadium," Lynn said. "I went out there with the intention of making the best of it. We won the game, and I had a good time doing it."

He added later: "I went out a winner if that鈥檚 what it is."

With most of his family present (鈥淐an鈥檛 lose in front of them,鈥� he said), Lynn retired the side in the first inning on six pitches. In his second start since returning from the IL, the right-hander muscled through the second inning after allowing a solo homer to Bryan De La Cruz. He pitched around a one-out double in the third inning with a strikeout that inspired one of those curse-word celebrations that ricocheted through the scarce attendance so that it could be heard on the third level.

Baker鈥檚 triple tied the game in the bottom of that inning, and Walker鈥檚 fourth homer of the season 鈥� a 425-foot blast that pinballed off the back wall of the visitors鈥� bullpen 鈥� seized the lead for the Cardinals in the fourth.

Lynn pressed on through the fifth to qualify for the win.

In his career at Busch, Lynn improved to 46-20 with an ERA of 2.88. He is among the all-time leaders in several pitching categories at the downtown ballpark, and he remains among the Cardinals鈥� leaders in postseason feats. His start Tuesday was his 21st consecutive without a loss at Busch. The six innings dropped his ERA at home this season to a fitting 3.14.

Well, truthfully, it鈥檚 3.145.

But why let rounding rules ruin poetry?

鈥淚 can give up 106-mph line drives that get caught in center field, so that鈥檚 fun,鈥� Lynn said when asked about what he enjoys about Busch. 鈥淔ans have always been great. Always had great fan support. Always knew the other team was here to beat you. The lights turn on here and it鈥檚 fun to play.鈥�

A double play got Lynn out of the fifth inning with the one-run lead in place. He got three outs from four batters in the sixth inning, and that was his evening. He did not get the mid-inning departure to cue an ovation 鈥� so maybe that鈥檚 yet to come. He did, however, get a measured outing that put him near 100 pitches but did not push his knee to throw a 100th pitch. That鈥檚 been an approach the Cardinals have quietly had throughout the season as he managed knee pain and would sometimes cut a start shorter than use to save innings, save wear, and set up his next start.

鈥淵ou have you times here and there when things pop up, (and) the older you get, the more things 鈥� they linger is the easiest way to say it,鈥� Lynn said. 鈥淚 learned a long time ago, you鈥檙e not going to feel good throughout the whole year. So you have to figure out how to get through it. Sometimes you need to take rest. Sometimes you鈥檙e able to manage it. This year I had to take a little bit of rest at times. There were times we managed not going innings I could have.鈥�

Lynn鈥檚 six innings left the bullpen nine outs to get. Ryan Fernandez zipped through the seventh with two strikeouts. Matthew Liberatore, in a compelling assignment for the lefty, got the eighth. It was one of the few times he鈥檚 pitched in a true setup bind: He faced the top of the Pirates鈥� order with a one-run lead. Pittsburgh has a pedestrian offense, but there to greet Liberatore was a tricky run of right-handed hitters.

He allowed back-to-back base hits to being the eighth.

He was able to get an out without trading a run, though the Cardinals allowed the runner to advance to second base. Liberatore had a one-run lead, two runners in scoring position, and a former MVP in Andrew McCutchen at the plate.

He was also packing advice from Lynn.

鈥淎 lot of talks about sequencing or pitch shapes or reading hitters or scouting reports,鈥� Liberatore, a relative rookie in relief, recalled his conversations with the veteran right-hander. 鈥淲e鈥檝e talked about so many things over the past seven months. Pitching in general, he鈥檚 been one of my go-to guys this year.鈥�

Liberatore spun a 90-mph slider at the start of McCutchen鈥檚 at-bat. He followed with a series of pitches that would make Lynn proud 鈥� fastball after fastball after 98-mph fastball. Ahead in the count, Liberatore ended the at-bat and essentially the inning with an 80-mph curve.

He retired a pinch-hitter to finish the inning and hand Lynn鈥檚 win to Helsley.

Lynn allowed four hits in his six innings. He struck out four, and the lone run he allowed came on the second-inning homer. The quality start was his first since returning from the IL and the six innings his longest outing in the majors since July 13. If Tuesday was his last start, he finishes having allowed two runs in 11 innings since the IL and only three runs total in his previous 21 innings. He鈥檚 won five of his past six decisions and lost only once since the end of May.

The conversations ahead will determine if that鈥檚 how this ends.

鈥淚鈥檝e made a career out of getting by with whatever I have,鈥� Lynn said. 鈥淧roved I can still do that. I feel good about the way that I finished here. We鈥檒l see what the future holds. You never want the seasons to end.

鈥淏ut unfortunately, they do.鈥�

50度灰视频 Cardinals

鈥楢 totally different guy鈥�: Andre Pallante forcing a rewrite on his role in Cardinals鈥� future

• Derrick Goold

50度灰视频 Cardinals

鈥楤ig City鈥� comes home: Slugger Matt Adams to sign 1-day contract, retire with Cardinals

• Derrick Goold

50度灰视频 Cardinals

Pedro Pages' strides at the plate as a rookie have not gone unnoticed: Cardinals Extra

• Lynn Worthy

Photos: Walker's home run in fourth inning and solid pitiching combine for a Cardinals 3-1 win over Pirates

The Cardinals aren鈥檛 winning baseball鈥檚 arms race, but at least they are catching up on the pitching development side.

This hasn鈥檛 been a franchise strength, so the Cardinals made a concerted effort to build up their supply of pitching prospects through the draft, international signings and last year鈥檚 bailout trades.

As this season winds down, we can finally see progress.

Analysts Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo at rank the Cardinals pitching prospects as third-best in the sport, behind only the perpetually rebuilding Pittsburgh Pirates and the tanking Chicago White Sox.

This is good news as this franchise heads toward an organizational reset.

Chaim Bloom built his reputation on the player evaluation and development side. His rise in influence in the Cardinals front office coincides with the need to gain more payroll efficiency.

The organization sees left-handers Quinn Mathews and Cooper Hjerpe and right-handers Michael McGreevy, Tink Hence, Tekoah Roby and Sem Robberse having an impact during the next few years.

We鈥檙e guessing the Cardinals won鈥檛 invest a fortune in new pitchers for next season, so they need to get more from what they already have on hand and in the pipeline.

Sonny Gray has $60 million coming to him during the next two seasons. The Cardinals can pencil Erick Fedde and Andre Pallante into the 2025 rotation behind him. They could pick up the $12 million option on Kyle Gibson and/or the $12 million option on Lance Lynn.

Then there is the roughly $30 million committed to Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz for one more year. Add it all up and there鈥檚 not much flexibility for a front office that is sending strong fiscal responsibility vibes.

The Cardinals made progress with younger pitchers at the major league level this season. Pallante seized the No. 6 starter role with an impressive transformation. Matthew Liberatore failed to secure that job, but he performed well in the bullpen.

Kyle Leahy, independent ball graduate Chris Roycroft and Rule 5 draft steal Ryan Fernandez added bullpen depth. McGreevy excelled in his one Cardinals start, and Gordon Graceffo made his first two big league appearances.

The Cardinals will need a whole lot more homegrown pitching moving forward given the advanced age of the current starting rotation.

Can they convert potential into production?

Mathews is a well-polished collegiate product who regained velocity after suffering overuse at Stanford. He tops the prospect list after dominating at the Class A, advanced Class A and Double-A levels this season.

The adults at the Triple-A level don鈥檛 chase as many pitches as the kids at lower levels do, so he still has work to do.

McGreevy established durability in his first three full pro seasons after his time at UC Santa Barbara. This year was an ability to miss bats, especially against left-handed hitters, after turning his slider into more of a sweeper.

At Triple-A Memphis, McGreevy has posted earned run averages of 2.12, 3.38, 2.83 and 3.00 during the past four months.

He looks ready to add depth as a No. 7 starter or long man next season.

Beyond these two, the near-term depth is less certain. Hence hoped to build physical endurance at Double-A Springfield (Missouri) while moving closer to the majors. That goal remains unmet.

At last count, he pitched just 79鈪� innings this season after injury issues caused him to miss time in the middle of the season. He returned with some impressive late-season outings ... only to cut his last start short.

Hence, 22, has big league stuff with an excellent change-up, a lively fastball and improved command on his slider. But can he stay on the mound long enough to progress?

The Cardinals wonder the same about Roby, who returned to the mound after spending most of the season on Springfield鈥檚 injured list. He has worked just 38鈪� innings in what became a lost developmental year.

After missing two months with an injury, Robberse made three well-spaced rehab appearances at Palm Beach and two four-inning outings at Memphis. He is finishing his season on a positive note.

Hjerpe created some scouting buzz before shutting down July 2. His funky delivery produced 76 strikeouts in 52鈪� innings at Peoria and Springfield. He can miss bats, but he will need better command and better health to advance.

Lefty Zack Thompson struck out 104 batters in 84 innings at Memphis, but he also walked 54 and allowed 10 homers. After getting his first looks from the Cardinals, Graceffo has struggled at Memphis due to lost fastball velocity.

On the other hand, the franchise has interesting prospects at Class A Palm Beach. Working in pitcher-friendly conditions, international additions Chen-Wei Lin (Taiwan) and Luis Gastelum (Mexico) have been among those making big impressions.

Gastelum struck out 70 batters in 48 relief innings with a deadly change-up, while the 6-foot-7 Lin has a fastball/change-up combination with some projection left on his frame.

So the Cardinals have some guys. They must develop them and keep adding more to turn an organizational weakness into a strength.

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Tipsheet: Cubs, like the Cardinals, face big offseason as NL Central also-rans

• Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon

Tipsheet: While Mizzou basks in limelight, Florida, Florida State face dark days

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Jeff Gordon

Tipsheet: Growth of Saggese, Wetherholt will create second base options for Cardinals

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The first swing Cardinals prospect Chase Davis took on Tuesday night provided Class AA Springfield a lead. His last swing furthered that lead and punctuated a powerful night from the 22-year-old in Springfield鈥檚 4-1 win over Arkansas in Game 1 of the Texas League Division Series.

Davis, the Cardinals鈥� first-round pick in the 2023 MLB draft, lined a single to the left-center field gap that scored Noah Mendlinger from third base with one out in the second inning. When Davis stepped to the plate to leadoff the eighth inning, he pulled an 0-2 changeup to right field for a towering 403-foot solo homer that cleared the right field berm and landed on the concourse of Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

The home run from Davis provided some insurance for Springfield in a win that gave it a 1-0 series lead over Arkansas. Springfield can clinch a series win on Thursday when the best-of-three series shifts to Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri for Game 2. A Game 2 win would send the S-Cards to the Texas League Championship Series.

Along with Davis鈥檚 homer, Springfield received RBI hits from Bryan Torres, who singled home Davis in the second inning, and Matt Lloyd, who homered to lead off the ninth and totaled three hits in the win. Springfield starter Brandon Komar allowed one run over six innings and struck out seven batters.

Davis's solo home run was his 13th home run this year across the regular season and postseason. The 22-year-old outfielder homered 12 times in 112 games across three levels of minor league baseball 鈥� eight of which came with Class Low-A Palm Beach. Davis connected on three homers and batted .301 in 30 games for Class High-A Peoria before he was promoted to Springfield on Sept. 6.

In eight games before the postseason began on Tuesday, the left-handed hitter totaled seven hits in 28 at-bats for .250 average and homered once.

Palm Beach forces winner-take-all Game 3

A four-run fifth inning highlighted by a three-run homer from 2024 draftee Josh Kross catapulted Class Low-A Palm Beach to a Game 2 win over Lakeland that evened the Florida State League Division Series against the Tigers鈥� Class Low-A affiliate.

With the home win in Game 2, Palm Beach and Lakeland are set for a decisive Game 3 on Wednesday back at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida.

Palm Beach trailed Lakeland 3-2 at the start of the fifth inning after Palm Beach starter Jose Davila allowed a run to score on a wild pitch. A two-out RBI single from 2024 draftee Bryce Madron scored Lizandro Espinoza to tie the game at three runs apiece.聽

Madron鈥檚 two-out hit was followed by a walk from 2024 first-round pick JJ Wetherholt. The first-round draftee drew two walks and went hitless in the win.

After working a full count, Kross provided Palm Beach with its biggest hit of Game 2 when he sent a slider place low-and-away to left-center field for a 392-foot home run that plated three runs.

The home run from Kross was his first in minor-league baseball. Kross, a 21-year-old switch-hitting first baseman taken in the sixth round of this year鈥檚 MLB draft, had not homered in 23 regular-season games and in the first three postseason he appeared in for Palm Beach.

Cardinals rookie catcher Pedro Pages knows that not lunging or jumping forward can take him a long way. That鈥檚 a key he honed in on in the batter鈥檚 box coming up through the minors, and it has remained a focal point during his time in the majors.

When his first move in the batter鈥檚 box is to open up his hip and his body drifts forward, it鈥檚 a bad recipe that he summed up as: 鈥淭he ball beats you at that point.鈥�

But when he鈥檚 able to 鈥渓oad鈥� his hands slowly, sit on his back hip and 鈥渓et it ride from there,鈥� then he鈥檚 giving himself a chance.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just mostly my load and approach-wise,鈥� Pages said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just sticking to my approach, having a plan when go up there and just confidence. The more I鈥檝e played this year, the more confidence I鈥檝e gotten up there, and the faith they have in me here to trust me in those situations has been great. It鈥檚 something I want to keep working on.鈥�

Pages credited work he has done with the hitting coaches, and he said he鈥檚 even asked them to alert him if they notice him lunging during games so he can take a look at video between innings and make the quick fix so he doesn鈥檛 鈥済ive away鈥� at-bats.

For example, on Monday night, Pages said he was a little 鈥渏umpy鈥� in his first two at-bats and 鈥渋n between鈥� pitches with his approach. He managed to stay back in a crucial spot and delivered a bases-loaded RBI single in the seventh inning.

In 60 games in the majors this season, Pages batted .244 with a .282 on-base percentage and a .381 slugging percentage. He鈥檚 continued to make improvements at the plate throughout the season against big league pitching.

Starting with the series against the Chicago Cubs June 14-16 at Wrigley Field, when Pages hit his first two home runs in the big leagues with his father in attendance, he has batted .270 with a .294 on-base percentage, a .426 slugging percentage, six home runs and 17 RBIs in 45 games (43 starts) entering Tuesday night.

In July (12 games started), he slashed .310/.341/.381.

On Sept. 2, he became the first Cardinals rookie catcher with a multi-home run game since 1930 (Gus Mancuso).

Last season in the minors at Double-A Springfield (Missouri), Pages slashed .267/.362/.443 in 117 games.

The Cardinals haven鈥檛 taken for granted the fact that Pages has produced offensively at a similar rate as he did at Double-A while making the jump to the majors for the first time.

鈥淭here鈥檚 been a lot of progress that we鈥檝e seen as far as his swing, just getting shorter, him using the middle of the field and taking his shots when in hitter-advantage counts,鈥� Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 done some things extremely well over the last stretch that give you hope that there鈥檚 still room for development there.鈥�

Pages began this season playing at Triple-A Memphis, but he came up on April 21. The Cardinals briefly carried three catchers on their roster, but Pages went back to the minors on May 5.

However, he returned to the majors on May 8, after starting catcher Willson Contreras suffered a broken forearm. Pages has stayed with the big club since.

While Pages had already begun to earn a reputation as a good receiver who worked well with the pitching staff in the minors and during his time in big league camp during in spring training, he furthered that reputation this season.

He entered Tuesday ranked 18th among qualified catchers in the majors in catcher framing runs and 31st in strike percentage. The club鈥檚 ERA with Pages behind the plate (3.89) is the best of the three catchers the Cardinals have used this season (Ivan Herrera, Contreras and Pages). Pages caught his fourth shutout of the season on Monday night, which tied Contreras for the team lead.

Pages made his team-leading 53rd start of the season at catcher on Tuesday night. He鈥檚 in position to become the fourth rookie in the past 35 seasons to lead the club in games caught. He鈥檇 join Eli Marrero (73 in 1998), Mike DiFelice (91 in 1997) and Todd Zeile (105 in 1990).

McGreevy on horizon?

Triple-A Memphis scratched Cardinals starting pitching prospect Michael McGreevy from his start Tuesday night.

When asked if he could comment on whether McGreevy not making his start had implications for the major league team, Marmol replied, 鈥淣ot at the moment.鈥�

The Cardinals are currently using a six-man pitching rotation that features Monday鈥檚 starter Andre Pallante and Tuesday鈥檚 starter Lance Lynn with Sonny Gray, Erick Fedde, Kyle Gibson and Miles Mikolas set to follow in succession from Wednesday through Saturday. The Cardinals have not named a starting pitcher for Sunday.

Left-hander Steven Matz, who began this season in the club鈥檚 starting rotation, remains in the bullpen for the time being.

McGreevy, a right-hander and former first-round draft pick (18th overall in 2021) made his major league debut in a spot start against the Texas Rangers on July 31 at Busch Stadium. He allowed one run on five hits and one walk, and he struck out three in seven innings as he earned his first big league win.

Overall this season, McGreevy has gone 9-8 with a 4.02 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP, a .259 opponent鈥檚 batting average and 8.28 strikeouts per nine innings and a 3.14-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 27 starts (150 innings).

In his 12 second-half starts for Memphis, McGreevy has gone 6-1 with a 2.96 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP, a .236 opponent鈥檚 batting average, 70 strikeouts and 18 walks in 70 innings.

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