Cardinals make a return to October at Cubs' expense
After a three-year postseason absence, the Cardinals' sweep of the Cubs puts an NL Central title in reach.
2019 ScheduleAll times ET
2019 Schedule
89-67, 1st in NL Cent
Power Rankings: Who starred for each team in 2019
Teams such as the A's, Rays and Nationals are about to earn an invitation to October, but credit these players for getting them there.
BBTN: Cardinals Sweep, AL Wild Card, Cap Talk
Buster and Tim Kurkjian discuss the Cubs' cloudy future following a season-altering sweep suffered at the hands of the Cardinals (13:11). They also discuss the Cardinals turnaround, if the Astros are the team to beat and if the Braves could get past the Dodgers in the playoffs. Plus, an interview with Indians manager Terry Francona (33:10) and a special appearance from Troy's older brother, Brady, in "Cap Talk" (37:12).
What you need to know for the final week of the MLB season
This is it! Here's how to enjoy -- or sweat out -- the race to the finish line for the teams still in the running and players pursuing hardware.
DeJong clobbers 437-foot home run (0:42)
David Schoenfield ESPN Senior Writer
The Cubs are the second team in MLB history to be swept in a 4-game series at home, losing each game by one run. The previous instance was 100 years ago, when Indians swept the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The first game of that series was a 3-2 loss in 13 innings, during which Babe Ruth pitched all 13 innings for the Red Sox. Baseball!
Cards rally against Cubs to clinch playoff spot
Paul Goldschmidt hit a tiebreaking double in the ninth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals clinched a playoff spot by rallying past the Chicago Cubs 3-2 on Sunday for their first four-game sweep at Wrigley Field in almost a century.
Molina and DeJong go back-to-back to seal Cards' win (0:47)
Molina, DeJong homer off Kimbrel, Cards beat Cubs 9-8
Yadier Molina and Paul DeJong homered on Craig Kimbrel's first two pitches in the ninth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals handed the reeling Chicago Cubs their fifth straight loss with a wild 9-8 victory on Saturday.
Bradford Doolittle ESPN Staff Writer
We're underway at Wrigley Field. The Cardinals are sporting their powder blues today, which strikes a happy nostalgic chord in my aging heart. With wins in the first two games of the series, it's possible St. Louis can clinch a postseason spot tomorrow on the Cubs' home field. The Redbirds would need to win today and tomorrow, which would eliminate the Cubs from the division race, and they'd need the Mets to lose at least once.
Bradford Doolittle ESPN Staff Writer
Cardinals manager Mike Shildt says Kolton Wong's hamstring is improving, though he won't play today. He's still listed as day-to-day, though Shildt declined to put a timetable on his return.
Mendoza attributes Cardinals' success to Flaherty (1:15)
Molina, Cardinals hold off fading Cubs again, 2-1
Yadier Molina had three of St. Louis' four hits, including a two-run single, and the Cardinals held off the fading Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Friday.
MLB Weekend Watch: Blockbuster matchups will rock the playoff races
Just 10 days are left in the regular season, but five playoff spots are up for grabs. We look at the factors that will decide who's in and who's out of the October hunt.
BBTN: Cards/Cubs, Modern Managing, Mendoza
Buster and Karl Ravech discuss Anthony Rizzo's unexpected return to the Cubs lineup as Chicago faces St. Louis in a crucial NL Central matchup (11:39). Plus, Buster compares Jack Flaherty to a Hall of Famer and Karl talks about Joe Maddon's personality clash with the Chicago front office. Jessica Mendoza also previews this weekend's Phillies/Indians series (33:40) and Rena Banena brings the Friday "Bleacher Tweets" and some love advice (45:12).
Even Anthony Rizzo's magic can't save these Cubs
The unexpected return of the heart and soul of Chicago's lineup could have provided a needed spark. But, once again, the Cubs fell flat as their playoff hopes begin to slip away.
Carpenter HRs off Kimbrel as Cards beat Cubs
Matt Carpenter homered in the 10th inning against Craig Kimbrel in the All-Star closer's return, and the St. Louis Cardinals regrouped after blowing a late lead to beat the Chicago Cubs 5-4 on Thursday night.
Bradford Doolittle ESPN Staff Writer
Kolten Wong left tonight's game at Wrigley Field with a hamstring injury and his status is listed as day to day. Would be a good time for Matt Carpenter to step up for the Cardinals.
Cardinals-Cubs with a division title on the line: Breaking down the high-stakes showdown
It doesn't get much better than two of baseball's bitter rivals squaring off with a playoff spot up for grabs. We look at the matchup from both sides.
Wainwright, Fowler, St. Louis top Nats 5-1; Cards-Cubs next
Adam Wainwright put on another sharp performance while outpitching Max Scherzer, right fielder Dexter Fowler made a sensational catch and the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 5-1 on Wednesday.
The best move every contender made this season
Teams in the postseason picture made some big decisions to help get them there, but what was their smartest move?
Kenrick, Corbin power Nationals to 6-2 win over Cardinals
Howie Kendrick finished a triple shy of hitting for a cycle, Patrick Corbin pitched six strong innings, and the Washington Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2 Tuesday night.
Starting pitching crucial for Cardinals, Cubs (0:45)
HOF manager Herzog recovering from stroke
Former Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog has received treatment after suffering a stroke on Monday, the team announced. "Whitey has received treatment and is currently resting, and doing well."
Bradford Doolittle ESPN Staff Writer
The Cardinals announced that Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzong, 87, suffered a minor stroke on Monday during his charity golf tournament. According to the team's statement, Herzon reports that has received treatment and is "doing well." Herzog managed the Redbirds to three pennants and a championship in the 1980s and, in the 1970s, guided the Kansas City Royals to three straight division titles.
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2019 NL Central Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 89 | 67 | .571 | - | W5 |
| Milwaukee | 86 | 70 | .551 | 3 | W4 |
| Chicago | 82 | 74 | .526 | 7 | L6 |
| Cincinnati | 73 | 83 | .468 | 16 | L1 |
| Pittsburgh | 65 | 91 | .417 | 24 | L9 |
2019 Team Leaders
- Batting
- Pitching
BATTING AVERAGE
Home Runs
RUNS BATTED IN
Earned Run Average
Wins
Strikeouts
Team Stats
- Pitching
- Batting
Earned Run Average3.785th
Quality Starts748th
WHIP1.26Tied-8th
BAA.2377th
Runs72920th
Batting Average.24622nd
On Base Percentage.32118th
Slugging Percentage.41423rd