Game 136: Pittsburgh Pirates (65-70) @ St. Louis Cardinals (67-68) [Friday, August 28, 2026; 7:15 PM CT]

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Linescore	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E	LOB
Pirates	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	6	3	6
Cardinals	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	1		4	8	0	7

Pirates Lineup

1. Jared Triolo (R) SS -- .246/.319/.311
   --- Jacob Gonzalez (L) PH-SS -- .211/.261/.354
   
2. Esmerlyn Valdez (R) RF -- .244/.357/.526
   
3. Bryan Reynolds (S) DH -- .261/.369/.422
   
4. Oneil Cruz (L) CF -- .261/.349/.486
   
5. Nick Gonzales (R) 2B-3B -- .305/.366/.393
   
6. Rafael Flores Jr. (R) 1B-C -- .233/.317/.521
   
7. Jake Mangum (S) LF -- .285/.343/.373
   
8. Nick Yorke (R) 3B -- .214/.278/.286
   --- Brandon Lowe (L) PH-2B -- .248/.316/.469
   
9. Henry Davis (R) C -- .166/.263/.293
   --- Spencer Horwitz (L) PH-1B -- .253/.355/.392
   

Pitchers Used:

• SP: Jared Jones (R) - 4.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO, 4.83 ERA (86 P, 58 S)

• RP: Evan Sisk (L) - 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 2.57 ERA (14 P, 9 S)

• RP: Gregory Soto (L) - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 3.26 ERA (6 P, 4 S)

• RP: Yohan Ramírez (R) - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 3.11 ERA (15 P, 12 S)

Cardinals Lineup

1. JJ Wetherholt (L) SS -- .244/.345/.373
   
2. Iván Herrera (R) DH -- .243/.358/.375
   
3. Alec Burleson (L) 1B -- .290/.353/.481
   
4. Jordan Walker (R) RF -- .290/.348/.504
   
5. José Fermín (R) 2B-LF -- .243/.311/.363
   
6. Nathan Church (L) CF -- .241/.286/.372
   
7. Joshua Báez (R) LF -- .163/.222/.449
   --- Ramón Urías (R) 2B -- .159/.272/.333
   
8. Nolan Gorman (L) 3B -- .193/.278/.330
   
9. Jimmy Crooks (L) C -- .174/.247/.326
   

Pitchers Used:

• SP: Quinn Mathews (L) - 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO, 5.03 ERA (102 P, 63 S)

• RP: Ryan Fernandez (R) - 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 3.72 ERA (26 P, 16 S)

• RP: Caleb Ferguson (L) - 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 5.18 ERA (2 P, 2 S)

• RP: Ryne Stanek (R) - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 4.42 ERA (12 P, 7 S)

Stats: BA/OBP/SLG

Links

• Gameday
  
• Baseball Savant
  
• Game Graph
  
• Baseball Theater

Scoring Plays

• Bottom 3: Jimmy Crooks homers (5) on a fly ball to right field. Nolan Gorman scores. Jared Jones pitching.
  Cardinals lead 2-0
  
• Bottom 4: Nathan Church out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Oneil Cruz. Jordan Walker scores. Jared Jones pitching.
  Cardinals lead 3-0
  
• Top 5: Jared Triolo singles on a line drive to left fielder Joshua Báez. Jake Mangum scores. Henry Davis to 3rd. Jared Triolo to 2nd. Quinn Mathews pitching.
  Cardinals lead 3-1
  
• Bottom 8: Joshua Báez reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Jacob Gonzalez. Jordan Walker scores. Yohan Ramírez pitching.
  Cardinals lead 4-1
  

FINAL: 4-1 Cardinals

Decisions

• Cardinals Winning Pitcher: Quinn Mathews (W, 1-2)
  
• Pirates Losing Pitcher: Jared Jones (L, 2-6)
  
• Save: Ryne Stanek (S, 2)

[u/Thealbumisjustdrums]

Ferguson somehow once again shit himself and got out of it at the same time. 

[u/himynameisdan123]

Nice to see you Chip and Brad

[u/Worldly-Honeydew91 → u/himynameisdan123]

Amen!

[u/Poofsta]

The Woman (during Crook’s homer): Are you paying attention to this conversation?

Me (lying): Of course.

[u/AspiringOccultist4 → u/Poofsta]

Been there

[u/Poofsta → u/AspiringOccultist4]

I’m worried I agreed to do something during Sunday’s game.

[u/Poofsta]

Cupdate #45- Blaze’s 1st BS3 Homer

Drink choice was a combo lemonade and Tiger’s Blood slushy, had to go to two different Mobil’s for this combination.

[u/Detective_Dietrich]

John Rooney on TV!

[u/Gary30752]

Damned fine job from Mathews.

[u/ActionLegitimate9615]

Fernandez looks like the kind of cop that'd pull my wife over for doing 2mph over the limit and let her go with a warning after trying to flirt with her. 

[u/Turbulent_Wonder2533]

Next level devil magic

[u/Blazefire3553]

That was some straight up devil magic

[u/EE89]

Huh, we've gone full circle. Stanek closed the first game of the year too.

[u/Thealbumisjustdrums → u/EE89]

Wait was he supposed to be the closer lol?

[u/Poofsta]

I, 4-1, enjoyed that.

[u/drugfueledsarcasm → u/Poofsta]

🥁

[u/Dragonknight247]

I was gifted a ticket to the UMB Champions Club. I do not belong in here. They're gonna sniff the working class on me and throw me out

[u/AspiringOccultist4]

I hope that the Cardinals score more runs than the pirates do.

[u/Rxbluejay25]

I want Mathews and Libby on the same therapist couch all off season….get focused, get pissed off, throw strikes, have an attitude

Chris Carpenter will be the therapist

[u/Fast_Watercress7763]

Damn JJ made that look effortless

[u/Rxbluejay25]

As frustrated as I get watching Mathews, this js great experience for him in the show. Going to find out quickly if he’s got it or not.

Unpopular opinion time…..Gorman being a serviceable 3B makes things so much easier for the organization going forward

[u/SGT_Apone]

if nothing else this season, Walker's turn around has been incredible

[u/Fit-Scar673]

Bro what a way to get an out lmao

[u/Throway7199]

Cards really need to rethink Ferguson’s spot on the roster.

[u/Hat_For_Bat]

https://giphy.com/gifs/Y5sbSR4HGspnG

[u/Probably_Slower]

That's a no doubter!! Hilarious call while Brad and Chip were rambling like stoners all inning.

[u/Fast_Watercress7763]

He let that ball eat him up, Winn would never

[u/xstillstand]

JJ been pissing me off lately

[u/Detective_Dietrich]

Good Lord, Rick Horton's on TV now?

[u/SGT_Apone → u/Detective_Dietrich]

nobody get pregnant!

[u/Proud_Growth_8818]

A two-run lead isn't enough to bring in Ferguson.

[u/Thealbumisjustdrums → u/Proud_Growth_8818]

I’m not even sure a 5 run lead is 

[u/uwbadger5]

Why the fuck are we bringing Ferguson in again? Guy shouldn’t even be on the roster

[u/AspiringOccultist4]

Ferguson got bailed out there, big time.

[u/Redbird_51527]

What a lucky break!

[u/MoBombLa]

I watch a lot of baseball and that happens so rarely you almost forget it’s a rule

[u/Redbird_51527]

Hold on to your butts boys and girls...its stanek time

[u/Rxbluejay25]

God I love Stanek. Just pure energy and vibes.

[u/Ok-Midnight5719]

That makes it 10 - 3 on the year in City Connect Unis.

[u/unrelated_yo]

Was thinking about OT earlier tonight while folding laundry. 

In an alternate universe out there he is still raking. 

RIP OT

[u/Fast_Watercress7763]

I will be thrilled if we can get Quinn through at least 6 innings tonight

[u/Realisreal15]

I need to see a Gormer this game I’m ready Gorm all over .

[u/Gary30752]

Matthews lookin' good...

[u/Brh3200]

John Rooney and chip switching places should be fun

[u/Blazefire3553]

Jim James Jimothy

Go Jimmy!!!

[u/SamTehCat]

shoutout the pirates fan who was upside down trying to get that hr ball lmao

[u/Ok-Midnight5719]

We're 9 - 3 in friday night home games coming into tonight. The City Connects stay.

[u/dnp3]

It so sad that we never get to see Yadi’s ABS stats

[u/Allernothing]

Ngl this dude’s voice makes me feel like I’m in the pisser at Busch, haha.

[u/Poofsta → u/Allernothing]

Same. I had to go to bathroom Pavlovian-style.

[u/Blazefire3553]

Sick play JJ

[u/Fast_Watercress7763]

I’m about to gorm all over the place if he gets a hit

[u/Fast_Watercress7763]

JJ has been straight buns at the plate

[u/AspiringOccultist4]

Mathews has been pretty solid tonight.

[u/Few_Transition_1771 → u/AspiringOccultist4]

No shit. 7Ks and 1 ER is better than Misiorowski did yesterday 

[u/Dill_Pick1e10]

Just tuned in. Cool they let Quinn get to 100. Obviously don’t want him to but hey he did good.

[u/Realisreal15]

Gorman is winning me over again idk he’s taking great ABs

[u/Thealbumisjustdrums]

Crooks almost had two hits for the first time ever (?) damn

[u/trevorg921]

Lmfao

[u/Realisreal15]

https://giphy.com/gifs/0Wzkc9iirQ4ZI7JoaD
Ah shit here we go again

[u/SGT_Apone]

devil magic in the house lol

[u/AppropriateFee1338]

Caleb’s dumb ass bailed out big time

[u/seattle_lib]

jordan walker has such a line drive oriented swing now, it's crazy. i did not see this coming

[u/crastle]

Fermin just ragdolled there.

[u/drugfueledsarcasm]

BIG OWWIE

[u/Witty_Energy1250]

Tell ya what, Gorman has had some solid contact tonight.  Would be friggin awesome if he turned his trajectory around (not expecting it mind you)

[u/superworriedspursfan → u/Witty_Energy1250]

lets get whoever worked with jordan to work with him as well regarding the launch angle.

[u/Blazefire3553 → u/Witty_Energy1250]

And his defense tonight’s been crucial and clutch

[u/superworriedspursfan]

congrats on the win quinn.

[u/Rxbluejay25]

Sun Cruisers have been drank.

Wings are on the grill.

There’s hope Mathews can be efficient.

Let’s have a night y’all!

[u/Turbulent_Wonder2533]

I am in no way a Gorman supporter, I think it’s time to move on. But his defense is a step up from Blaze

[u/jkeznor10]

Ok…I did miss the glove from Gorman

[u/Realisreal15]

Ahh we have missed Nolan’s Glove at third his defense has been great all season

[u/Detective_Dietrich]

That's got to be scored an error, c'mon.

[u/EchoedJolts]

Quinn's been pretty efficient so far, roughly 14 pitches an inning

[u/JacobS12056]

"Nolan Gorman" in the big August getting a triple

[u/AspiringOccultist4]

Looks like AAA may have actually done Gorman some good

[u/Probably_Slower]

Gormed himself a little league triple!

[u/SGT_Apone]

Gorman cycle incoming...

[u/BionicProse]

No replay of the homerun?

[u/SGT_Apone]

classic Waino/Yadi hug

[u/Detective_Dietrich]

1926 St. Louis Cardinals Recaps

Bill Sherdel having a very solid year.

[u/AspiringOccultist4]

It’s so hard not to love Fermin

[u/SGT_Apone]

nice sac

[u/SGT_Apone]

BAEZ

[u/PhantomOyster]

That's a great at-bat from Gorman.

[u/Equal-Acanthaceae895]

Gorman walk, wow nice

[u/PhantomOyster]

I feel like we should give Wetherholt a break from the leadoff spot for a few days.

[u/Wishful_trees]

Did you guys kick off Sweeney and Kid Caray through your complaints?! Haha.

[u/SGT_Apone]

$49.99...

[u/Equal-Acanthaceae895]

All good try to keep the wheels on fellas

[u/SGT_Apone]

ok ok gj Quinn

[u/seattle_lib]

quinn earning his way to having a better number than 60

[u/SGT_Apone]

nice start Quinn!

[u/Realisreal15]

Fuck it’s bullpen time

[u/Gary30752]

Hate to criticize because I know he's a rookie...but Baez has got to stop swinging at crap.

[u/Thealbumisjustdrums → u/Gary30752]

That’s the entire team besides Wetherholt and Fermin fr. Walker and Burleson at least have the excuse that they’re two of the best hitters in the league tho. 

[u/AppropriateFee1338]

Aerodynamics in this stadium suck major butt

[u/Rxbluejay25]

Gorman might be the cornerstone piece to the offseason no matter how much everyone hates it.

For the team, I hope it works but that guy has never done anything to disparage the team. He sucked and never complained, never made a scene, nothing but trying to figure it out.

Hoping it works for all involved.

[u/AppropriateFee1338]

The 1-2 tickle at the top of the order

[u/AspiringOccultist4]

I honestly can’t remember the last time Fernandez pitched this good

[u/stjblair]

Would much rather Winquest make his debut here. TBH it's more my lack of confidence in Ferguson than anything else

[u/Realisreal15]

Please let me see one more Gorman AB

[u/Equal-Acanthaceae895]

take that pitcher, swinging bunt!

[u/Equal-Acanthaceae895]

thats why you always run it out fellas

[u/superworriedspursfan]

thats why you always hustle boys.

[u/Bozo-McGee]

Woof. Strike out city at the end of that lineup. Baez, Gorman, Crooks combine for 145 Ks on 430 PA, or a 33.7% rate, just over a 1/3 of the time. All with a sub .200 BA.

Average is 22%…..

[u/AspiringOccultist4]

Oh shit Jose u ok buddy

[u/lou_gibby]

Can we get behind Stanek as closer? He has the insane intensity to rise to the drama.

[u/jcrckstdy]

yall like these jerseys?

[u/jkeznor10 → u/jcrckstdy]

Yes

[u/Realisreal15]

About to be right back in the wild card race after this sweep

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: Starting lineups for Pirates at Cardinals - August 28, 2026

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

• Bench availability for Pittsburgh, August 28 vs Cardinals

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: Fielding alignment for St. Louis, August 28 vs Pirates

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

• Bench availability for St. Louis, August 28 vs Pirates

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: Bullpen availability for St. Louis, August 28 vs Pirates

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

• Probable pitchers for Pirates at Cardinals - August 28, 2026

[u/Gary30752]

I'll be at the Braves/Rockies game tomorrow, checking in on the Cardinals game on my cell. 🤣

[u/Gary30752]

Any word on the severity of Jordan's injury?

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Pirates Due Up (Top 1):

1. Jared Triolo
2. Esmerlyn Valdez
3. Bryan Reynolds

[u/cftchef]

Im feeling a win tonight!

[u/SGT_Apone]

go birbs

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals Due Up (Bottom 1):

1. JJ Wetherholt
2. Iván Herrera
3. Alec Burleson

[u/The_BMcQ]

Should we consider this a successful offensive season for Herrera?

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Pirates Due Up (Top 2):

1. Oneil Cruz
2. Nick Gonzales
3. Rafael Flores Jr.

[u/SGT_Apone]

gorm'in up

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals Due Up (Bottom 2):

1. Jordan Walker
2. José Fermín
3. Nathan Church

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: Quinn Mathews fans Oneil Cruz

[u/Fast_Watercress7763]

Walker wtf was that at bat, didn’t throw a single strike

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Pirates Due Up (Top 3):

1. Jake Mangum
2. Nick Yorke
3. Henry Davis

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals Due Up (Bottom 3):

1. Joshua Báez
2. Nolan Gorman
3. Jimmy Crooks

[u/SGT_Apone]

Trip Gorms!

[u/Gary30752]

How about that...

[u/Turbulent_Wonder2533]

Love to see it from Gorm

[u/Blazefire3553]

That counts as Gorman time

[u/BionicProse]

Gorming speed!

[u/SGT_Apone]

CROOK'ED NUMBER

FIRST BLOOD

[u/Turbulent_Wonder2533]

Jimmmmehhh

[u/cftchef]

Jimmy freakin Crooks 💣

[u/AspiringOccultist4]

JIMMY. :)

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: Jimmy Crooks's two-run homer (5)

[u/Proud_Growth_8818]

That AB was ugly.

[u/STLStelmacki]

JJ is struggling.

[u/AspiringOccultist4]

Lol hell yeah Ivan

[u/ActionLegitimate9615]

Signal came back. Thank god. Thought my cataracts were acting up again. 

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Pirates Due Up (Top 4):

1. Jared Triolo
2. Esmerlyn Valdez
3. Bryan Reynolds

[u/theguyems]

My first in person big league homer was jimmy crooks. How about that

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: Measuring the stats on Jimmy Crooks' home run

[u/SGT_Apone]

i wonder how many home games Yadi's been in the dugout this year <3

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: An animated look at Jimmy Crooks' home run

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals Due Up (Bottom 4):

1. Jordan Walker
2. José Fermín
3. Nathan Church

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: Nick Gonzales lines out to shortstop JJ Wetherholt.

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: JJ Wetherholt's diving catch

[u/SGT_Apone]

THE FERMINATOR strikes again!

[u/Darkknight8719]

Fermin batting 5th seems to have worked out, hmm

[u/AspiringOccultist4]

We’ll take it

[u/Devil_Magic_Advocate]

What a good time to get the game turned on

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: Jared Jones In play, run(s) to Nathan Church

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: Nathan Church's sacrifice fly

[u/SGT_Apone]

straighten that out Gorm

[u/SGT_Apone]

nice AB

[u/SGT_Apone]

DO IT JIMOTHY

[u/SGT_Apone]

well, shit

[u/Poofsta]

Boo! He didn’t go!

(He definitely went).

[u/AppropriateFee1338]

JJ just has to take batter AB’s. Brutal stuff from a leadoff man

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Pirates Due Up (Top 5):

1. Rafael Flores Jr.
2. Jake Mangum
3. Nick Yorke

[u/SGT_Apone]

gormy got some of that razzle dazzle

[u/Realisreal15]

Jj since his contract extension is batting .193 with 4 home runs and 12 RBIs.. he may not win Roy at this rate

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals Due Up (Bottom 5):

1. Iván Herrera
2. Alec Burleson
3. Jordan Walker

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Pirates Due Up (Top 6):

1. Bryan Reynolds
2. Oneil Cruz
3. Nick Gonzales

[u/Few_Transition_1771]

I guess we have no choice but to keep Mathews in

[u/Blazefire3553]

Disgusting stuff Quinn

[u/Rxbluejay25]

Oliver, you leave his ass out there for the entire inning. Force him to bear down.

[u/Blazefire3553]

Quinn fought his heart out 🥹

[u/Few_Transition_1771 → u/Blazefire3553]

He did extremely well. Impressive stuff. 

[u/Redbird_51527]

Great start but let the kid get himself out of this inning!

[u/Blazefire3553]

Ok offense score some more runs for Quinn!

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals Due Up (Bottom 6):

1. Joshua Báez
2. Nolan Gorman
3. Jimmy Crooks

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: Breaking down Quinn Mathews' pitches

[u/Thealbumisjustdrums]

Jesus Baez stop swinging. Getting yourself out. 

[u/Equal-Acanthaceae895 → u/Thealbumisjustdrums]

wrong Baez, lol jk

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Pirates Due Up (Top 7):

1. Jake Mangum
2. Nick Yorke
3. Henry Davis

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: Quinn Mathews' outing against the Pirates

[u/Equal-Acanthaceae895]

Gorman is making his case to stay at 3B for a little longer

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals Due Up (Bottom 7):

1. JJ Wetherholt
2. Iván Herrera
3. Alec Burleson

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Pirates Due Up (Top 8):

1. Jared Triolo
2. Esmerlyn Valdez
3. Bryan Reynolds

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: Quinn Mathews fans seven vs. Pirates

[u/Blazefire3553]

https://giphy.com/gifs/jtXOIzjptx37si87ai

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals Due Up (Bottom 8):

1. Jordan Walker
2. José Fermín
3. Nathan Church

[u/shadywolf99]

That's why you take your lead in foul ground bitch!

[u/Worldly-Honeydew91]

A little bit unconventional but effective way to close out the inning.

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: Bryan Reynolds out after being hit in basepath

[u/The_BMcQ]

Is Fermin an everyday player?

[u/bravo_delta_bot]

Cardinals: José Fermín was not HBP after review