SB Nation St. Louis - St. Louis Cardinals lose 3-1 to Reds, clinch Wild Card berth anywayhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49009/stl-fave.png2012-10-03T10:47:02-05:00http://stlouis.sbnation.com/rss/stream/32027612012-10-03T10:47:02-05:002012-10-03T10:47:02-05:00Cardinals to get look at top prospect Miller
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<p>Now that Game 162 won't determine the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a>' postseason fate, they'll take it as an opportunity to see what their top pitching prospect can do against major league competition.</p>
<p><a href="http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121002&content_id=39367958&notebook_id=39416690&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl" target="_blank">Shelby Miller will make his first career start</a> Wednesday night when the Cardinals take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a> at 7:15 p.m. CT in St. Louis. The Cardinals will skip <span>Adam Wainwright</span>, leaving their ace available for either Friday's Wild Card play-in game with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> or for Game 1 of the National League Division Series.</p>
<p>Miller last started Aug. 31 in Triple-A and has allowed two earned runs in 7⅔ innings out of the Cards' bullpen since. He entered the season as the Cardinals' top minor league prospect, though he struggled to a 4.74 ERA in his first season in Triple-A in 2012.</p>
<p>The Cardinals (87-74) clinched a playoff berth Tuesday night when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a>, 4-3.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/10/3/3449110/shelby-miller-cardinals-rotationKevin Jeffers2012-10-03T09:01:42-05:002012-10-03T09:01:42-05:00MLB Standings: Cardinals clinch Wild Card
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<p>The Wild Card race is finally over in the National League. After a loss by the Los Angeles <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> on Tuesday night, the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Cardinals</a> clinched their spot in the postseason with an 87-74 record, two games better than LA's 85-76 record with one game remaining.</p>
<p>With every postseason spot clinched, October's picture is nearly complete in the National League. The <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Nationals</a> (97-64), <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Reds</a> (97-64), <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco Giants</a> (94-67) and <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a> (93-68) will join the Cards in the race for the 2012 World Series title. The only issue yet to be determined is seeding. Washington and Cincinnati enter the final day tied for the best record in the league.</p>
<p>Things aren't quite as settled in the American League, and the big game to watch will be the season finale between the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> and <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a> for the AL West title. Both teams sit at 93-68 going into the final game of the year.</p>
<p>A full set of MLB standings can be found over at <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/standings/?xid=sbnation">SI.com</a>.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/10/3/3448534/mlb-playoff-standings-2012Chris White2012-10-02T23:06:49-05:002012-10-02T23:06:49-05:00Matheny won't talk postseason rotation just yet
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<p>St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny won't talk about his team's postseason pitching staff as of now, mostly because they haven't clinched a spot yet.</p> <p>With his <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> still sitting on a magic number of one to clinch the second National League Wild Card playoff spot, manager Mike Matheny isn't quite ready to delve into his possible playoff pitching rotation, according to <a href="http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121001&content_id=39311460&notebook_id=39321776&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl" target="_blank">a report by Jenifer Langosch on the team's Web site</a>.</p>
<p>"You guys all know we obviously are forward-thinking enough in different scenarios to give us the best chance," Matheny said in the article. "But right now, the way we see it, we have to win two games." </p>
<p>Chris Carpenter, who started in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a>, would probably be the only starter unavailable for Friday's potential Wild Card showdown against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a>, according to the article, while <span>Adam Wainwright</span> would likely get the start on Wednesday if the second NL Wild Card spot still remains hanging in the balance.</p>
<p>Wednesday's starter, writes Langosch, is unclear if the Cardinals' postseason ticket happens to be punched prior to that.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/10/2/3447446/mike-matheny-cardinals-playoff-rotationGriffin Gotta2012-10-02T22:11:32-05:002012-10-02T22:11:32-05:00Cardinals must wait on Dodgers following loss
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<p>The <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Cardinals</a> fell to the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Reds</a> on Tuesday, 3-1, and will have to wait on the result of the night's contest between the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> and the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco Giants</a> to see if they can officially clinch the second National League Wild Card spot.</p>
<p>If the Dodgers win on Tuesday, the Cardinals' magic number will remain at one going into the regular season's final day on Wednesday. If Los Angeles were to lose, however, St. Louis will clinch a spot in the NL Wild Card showdown against the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a>.</p>
<p>After grabbing a 1-0 lead in the first inning after a sacrifice fly from left fielder <span>Matt Holliday</span>, the Cardinals offense went silent while the Reds scored all of their runs off St. Louis starter Chris Carpenter (L, 0-2). Carpenter went six innings, giving up seven hits and Cincinnati's three earned runs.</p>
<p>Third baseman <span>Scott Rolen</span> blasted a solo homer in the fourth to tie the game, then RBI singles from <span>Jay Bruce</span> and <span>Dioner Navarro</span> in the sixth inning gave the Reds the deciding advantage.</p>
<p>Cincinnati closer Aroldis Chapman pitched a perfect ninth to tally his 38th save of the season.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/10/2/3447232/cardinals-vs-reds-final-score-magic-number-chris-carpenterGriffin Gotta2012-10-02T17:53:43-05:002012-10-02T17:53:43-05:00Cardinals Starting Lineup Tuesday
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<p>A win Tuesday against Cincinnati, and the defending World Series champion <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Cardinals</a> are back in the playoffs.</p>
<p>Here is the lineup they'll play looking to clinch a Wild Card berth against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a>, who have long since clinched the NL Central.</p>
<p>1. <span>Jon Jay</span> (L) CF<br>2. <span>Carlos Beltran</span> (S) RF<br>3. <span>Matt Holliday</span> (R) LF<br>4. <span>Allen Craig</span> (R) 1B<br>5. <span>Yadier Molina</span> (R) C<br>6. <span>David Freese</span> (R) 3B<br>7. <span>Daniel Descalso</span> (L) 2B<br>8. <span>Peter Kozma</span> (R) SS<br>9. <span>Chris Carpenter</span> (R) P</p>
<p>As of now, the Cardinals have clinched at worst a tie for the final wild card position in the National League.</p>
<p>Here is the Reds starting lineup:</p>
<p>1. <span>Brandon Phillips</span> (R) 2B<br>2. <span>Zack Cozart</span> (R) SS<br>3. <span>Joey Votto</span> (L) 1B<br>4. <span>Ryan Ludwick</span> (R) LF<br>5. <span>Jay Bruce</span> (L) RF<br>6. <span>Scott Rolen</span> (R) 3B<br>7. <span>Dioner Navarro</span> (S) C<br>8. <span>Drew Stubbs</span> (R) CF<br>9. <span>Mat Latos</span> (R) P</p>
<p>First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT in St. Louis.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/10/2/3446182/reds-vs-cardinals-lineupsNeal Coolong2012-10-02T09:00:48-05:002012-10-02T09:00:48-05:00The Reds don't rest rotation against the Cardinals
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a> clinched the NL Central division championship a while ago, but on Wednesday the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a>, looking to eliminate the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> in the Wild Card race, will still face <span>Mat Latos</span>, their No. 2 starter. For good or ill—it depends, I guess, on how concerned you are about winning The Right Way—the Reds aren't resting their starters for their last regular season series of the year. The Cardinals have dodged Cy Young contender <span>Johnny Cueto</span>, but the rest of the gang is lined up in order to make final regular season starts against <span>Jaime Garcia</span>, Chris Carpenter, and—well, it depends. </p>
<p>The Cardinals, who will have a winner-takes-all play-in-game to prepare for even if they do clinch, don't yet have the luxury to think about resting their starters. If they manage it ahead of Wednesday's game, against erstwhile no-hitter <span>Homer Bailey</span>, we might see a member of their extended pitching staff, like <span>Shelby Miller</span>, getting the start to keep the rotation intact for the play-in against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a>.</p>
<p>If they don't—well, I can assure you that you'll probably hear some angry people wishing that the Reds were just a little more worried about the health of their postseason starters. </p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/10/2/3440514/cincinnati-reds-postseason-clinched-mat-latosDan Moore2012-10-01T23:20:32-05:002012-10-01T23:20:32-05:00Cards vs. Reds: Magic number at 1 after win
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<p>The <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Cardinals</a> are guaranteed at least a tie for the second NL Wild Card after a 4-2 victory over the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Reds</a> on Monday night. A loss by the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> or another St. Louis win would guarantee the Cards a trip to Atlanta to face the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Braves</a> for entrance into the playoffs.</p>
<p><span>Jamie Garcia</span> picks up the win for St. Louis, improving to 7-7. He threw 6-2/3 innings, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out six. <span>Edward Mujica</span>, <span>Mitchell Boggs</span> and <span>Jason Motte</span> combined for 2-1/3 innings of hitless relief.</p>
<p>In addition to his strong pitching performance, Jamie Garcia got the Cardinals' offense started with a solo home run in the third. <span>Allen Craig</span> and <span>Yadier Molina</span> both added another run in the third, giving St. Louis a lead they never released. <span>Daniel Descalso</span> added an insurance run with a triple in the sixth.</p>
<p>Game 2 of the series is 7:15 p.m. CT on Tuesday.</p>
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https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/10/1/3442044/cardinals-vs-reds-final-score-magic-number-wild-cardPete Eich2012-10-01T18:12:50-05:002012-10-01T18:12:50-05:00Matt Kemp is back, unfortunately
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<p>Just a couple of weeks ago, Matt Kemp was holding the Los Angeles Dodgers back.</p> <p>Now <span>Matt Kemp</span> is just holding the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> up. Between September 1 and September 25, the Dodgers were 8-11, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> were making their awkward way to the National League Wild Card, and Matt Kemp looked like a disaster at the plate. Over that span he hit .167, with two home runs, three walks (against 23 strikeouts), and an OPS south of .500. </p>
<p>On September 26, the Dodgers beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a> 8-2, Matt Kemp went 4-5 with a home run and four RBI, and neither has looked back since. The Dodgers have won five straight, pushing the NL Wild Card race to the last series of the season, and Kemp has gone 11-20 with three doubles, four home runs, nine RBI, and seven runs scored. That's a line of .500/.591/1.300, if you were keeping track. </p>
<p>The Dodgers' unwillingness to sit their MVP candidate might have cost them dearly for the first three weeks of September. Now he's the main thing standing between them and elimination from the NL Wild Card race. With one series left, <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/10/1/3438658/cardinals-magic-number-wild-card">the Cardinals' magic number sits at two </a>Monday afternoon. The Dodgers' destiny is, at least technically, out of Matt Kemp's hands; the Cardinals will have to lose at least two to the Cincinnati Reds to avoid clinching. But if they're going to win out, he'll have a lot to do with it. </p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/10/1/3440428/matt-kemp-dodgers-wild-cardDan Moore