DENVER — Hoping to open up the post-All-Star Recreation schedule with a flourish, the St. Louis Cardinals put up a dud.
A 6-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday afternoon at Coors Subject completed off a 1-5 Cardinals street journey by means of Arizona and Colorado. A sweep by the hands of the Diamondbacks within the desert had the Cardinals reeling, and shedding two of three to the Rockies, now 26-76 on the season, carried some additional sting.
Wednesday’s loss additionally put the Cardinals on the flawed finish of historical past because it marked the primary time in 220 video games that Colorado had recorded a shutout, snapping a modern-day MLB report. The final time Rockies pitchers had held opponents scoreless was an 8-0 street win over the San Diego Padres on Could 15, 2024.
St. Louis is now 52-51 forward of two pivotal residence collection earlier than the July 31 MLB commerce deadline, a four-game collection in opposition to the San Diego Padres and a three-game set in opposition to the Miami Marlins.
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told reporters on Monday that, “Clearly, the place we’re within the standings positively impacts our decision-making shifting ahead within the buying and selling deadline.” These standings now present the Cardinals 3.5 video games out of the ultimate NL wild-card spot as they depart Denver and head residence.
Whereas it is definitely not out of the image that the Cardinals may nonetheless make the postseason, the main focus for the franchise on the commerce deadline has seemingly modified.
With the Cardinals designating starting pitcher Erick Fedde for assignment earlier than Wednesday’s recreation, St. Louis mentioned goodbye to one of many pitchers who was whispered to be a possible commerce chip over the previous few weeks.
Fedde’s inventory had plummeted, nevertheless, throughout that point, together with after a horrific outing in opposition to Colorado on Tuesday the place he gave up six earned runs and 7 hits (together with two homers) over 3.0 innings of labor.
St. Louis nonetheless has potential commerce chips nevertheless, together with third baseman Nolan Arenado. Mozeliak said earlier in the week he would talk about any potential trades with Arenado, who has a no-trade clause in his contract.
These chips may additionally embrace nearer Ryan Helsley, who has 19 saves on the season and has been deployed only one time because the All-Star break.
The struggles for St. Louis on the western swing have dropped the Cardinals to 5-12 in July. It is a dangerous time for St. Louis to go chilly, however may convey a promoting perspective into focus for Mozeliak.
With the Cardinals needing to indicate the entrance workplace they might be a postseason contender, St. Louis was listless on Wednesday, with supervisor Oliver Marmol telling reporters after the loss, “Worst recreation we have performed all 12 months.”
If there was any wavering on which route St. Louis ought to go on the commerce deadline, Wednesday was seemingly the push wanted to promote and stay up for 2026 and past.
