Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - St. Louis REFUSES to Die as Cardinals Late-Inning Heroics Shock The San Francisco Giants

Starting point is 00:00:00 Following what was one of the most entertaining games of the 2025 season, the Cardinals show us again why quitting them is so darn hard. You are Locked-on Cardinals, your daily St. Louis Cardinals podcast, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. Hey there, Cardinals fans. I'm J.D. Haffern, a former national radio sports anchor, born and raised in St. Louis, and a lifetime Cardinals fan. And I'm your host for Lockdown Cardinals, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network covering your team every day. This is a show serving Cardinal Nation and giving you all of the info about the birds on

Starting point is 00:00:38 the bat. Today's episode being brought to you by Game Time, download the Game Time app, create an account, and use code locked on MLB for $20 off your first purchase. On today's show, we will be revisiting the wacky and wild NL playoff picture, which is completely bonkers right now. The whole playoff scenario in the NL and the AAL is a little bit crazy right now with what the Guardians doing in the AL Central, but we'll focus on the National League since that's where the Cardinals live. We're going to go more in depth on the ABS system coming into play full time in 26, why I think it's the right thing to do. But we're going to start with last night's game in San Francisco, where the Cardinals defy the odds and somehow come back from a five-run deficit

Starting point is 00:01:26 over the final three innings to mathematically stay alive in the properly dubbed Wild Card chase and wild it most certainly is now i'm not here to rain on the cardinals parade but realistically if we're being honest with ourselves they have dug themselves too deep of a hole in the months of july and august to climb back out of it and be doing anything that's actually going to make a push for the wild card spot in the final week of september here you know that that eight and sixteen record in july it was gruesome and then you follow that up with that lackluster 13 and 15 August and all but set the tone for what the rest of the season was going to look like. All right. So the expectations were not that the Cardinals would make a push for the playoffs.

Starting point is 00:02:15 Little did we know that the Mets would go on to completely crap the bed with an 11 and 17 August, are now 8 and 12 in September to keep teams like the Cardinals and the Giants and the Reds and the Diamondbacks still hanging around. So technically the Cardinals still have something to play for in this final week of the regular C. as it pertains to the MLB playoffs. And on Tuesday night, they acted like a team that was not ready to say goodbye just yet. The pitching matchup, it screamed mismatch. You had the Giants top pitcher Logan Webb facing the Cardinals' worst starting pitcher and Andre Palante.

Starting point is 00:02:51 Palante has been a complete disaster for most of the season and hasn't won a game since July 28th. Since that win against the Marlins, who ironically are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now after winning their seventh straight on Tuesday night. Since that game, though, where they want, Palante is 0 and 8. The team is 1 in his 9 starts. And the telecast brought up the lack of scoring that occurs when Palante is on the mound. And yeah, that's certainly part of the issue. When Andre does pitch good enough for the team to get a victory, they don't score. But he hasn't been very good. And you know this. His ERA is a ghastly 7.12 over those nine starts. So there's plenty of blame to go around and most of it resides right there on

Starting point is 00:03:38 Andre Palante's shoulders. But on Tuesday, the Cardinals gave them a nice fat cushion right out of the gate after lining up Logan Webb for three runs on five hits in the first inning. They were off and running. They knew exactly what was coming. They liked it. And they took advantage of it. And for two innings, Palante also took advantage of that little cushion and pitch very, very well, pitch with confidence. And I was almost, I was this close to tweeting. out like, where has this Andre Palante been? I almost did it. And I was like, well, let's hold off. Let's hold off. Because normally, things go sideways quickly for Andre Palante and it happened. Wheels came off in that third inning. And it happened against the bottom of the order,

Starting point is 00:04:19 which is very disheartening. You know, it just makes it more frustrating. Single, walk, single, single to the 7-8-9 guys. The command vanished and eventually so did the lead. Now, the one play that me fired up. If you were following along with me on social media last night, there was a play that I was all worked up about because I'm not entirely sure why this isn't illegal to do. Base is loaded nobody out to the situation after the single walk single. Lead off hitter Ramos, I believe is who it was, hits a ground ball over to Nolan Aronado at third base. The runner coming home to the plate intentionally goes from one side of the running lane area, which was the outside part. And Jets way inside onto the infield grass with the

Starting point is 00:05:11 sole purpose of not trying to score the run, but so that he can get hit by the baseball. He's trying to become an obstacle there. He's not trying to go to home plate. He's just trying to get in the way and make it so that the flight of the ball can't make it to home plate. And he absolutely succeeded. I believe it was Patrick Bailey, the catcher. Uh, was running from third. And not a throw plonks him and it trickles away and allows who runs to score. They don't get any outs. And the damage obviously sets in motion a whole slew of bad stuff.

Starting point is 00:05:46 Now, the reason I was worked up about it is because you can't do that running to first base. Like when there's a strike three that's dropped or whatever and the catcher has to throw it down to first base, we all know that there's a running lane there, right? That's where the runner is supposed to go. if he starts going into the inside of the infield, he can be called out because he's not running in the lane there. I don't understand why that's not a thing on a play like this. Like, why shouldn't he have to run straight to home play?

Starting point is 00:06:16 Why is he allowed to just roam free and go wherever the hell he wants? I didn't get it. Apparently there is no baseline rule here unless a tag attempt is made. So Patrick Bailey did something legal. he didn't do anything illegal it's not his fault but it just seems like a cheesy ass way to get that to happen like I feel like that's something the league should revisit like that doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me so if I'm not trying to tag him this guy can run like over to the pitcher's mound if he wants to we can run over to the on neck circle area if he wants to like there's no baseline problems there like that doesn't seem to make a

Starting point is 00:06:57 a lot of sense to me. If he was running in the baseline and in like that dirt area that you have there between the two grass areas, and it hits him, so be it. But here he was purposely doing this. He saw where the catcher, he was smart. He saw where the catcher was going. He went in on the inside. So he was like, oh, I'm going to go out here because that's where the throw is obviously

Starting point is 00:07:18 coming and ran in there to cut off the angle. So just kind of a lame situation, in my opinion. And as I mentioned, it opens up the floodgates for a five-run inning and knocks Palante out of the game. He only goes two-thirds innings. And he looked real good in those first two innings, too. But allows five runs. Only two of them end up being earned on three hits, two walks, strikes out three. It wasn't all on him.

Starting point is 00:07:42 Like, I'm not putting all the blame on Andre Palante there, but at the same time to fall apart against the bottom three in the order to walk the number eight hitter and flip the lineup over. So the top of the lineup has a chance to do damage. that's how all of this got started. So Andre Palante left. People were asking me, is he a starter? I don't think so. I think his chances of being a starter.

Starting point is 00:08:07 I'm sure they're going to give him a shot to do something in the spring next year. They're not getting rid of him. They're not DFAing him. He's too young and has some armed talent. So maybe back to the bullpen is where he goes. That way people aren't seeing him a second time around and taking advantage of what they saw the first time. So just my opinion, but I'm not cutting Andre Palante, but I'm going to try to find a different way to utilize them because the starting pitching thing, it just didn't work this year.

Starting point is 00:08:35 All right. So Palante's out. Cardinals are trailing five to three at this point. You saw the usual suspects coming in from the bullpen, Johnny King, Jorge Alcala, Chris Roycroft. Those are the guys that usually come in when the cardinals are losing. That's just who they are. They don't do all that well. Alcala and Roycroft give up a few runs.

Starting point is 00:08:54 now it's eight to three and this one feels like a lost cause. But that's why they play nine innings. They do it for a reason. And in the seventh inning, the Cardinals got going. They get a three run, home run for Ivan Herrera, his 18th of the season, his eighth. Is it eight? Was that what he's got now? Eight now in the month of September?

Starting point is 00:09:16 Like I had this posted last night, but either way, the dude has been on fire. Okay? Whatever the stats are for one, Yvonne. Herrera. He has been on fire. He's not a guy. And Brennan Donovan said this in the post game. He was like, not a guy I would want to pitch to. Not at all. So, yeah, big fly by Herrera. 19th of the season, 8th in September. Okay. So I knew I was right in there. It was a late night last night. So that was obviously a huge swing. And then Nolan Aronado, vintage. Nolan Aronado swing. Yanks went down the line with the healthiest hacks. We've seen him taking months.

Starting point is 00:09:54 puts one over the wall. All of a sudden, we're looking at an eight to seven ball game. We got some life. The bench has got some juice. Chris Roycroft ends up pitching two innings and was excellent in his second inning of work in the seven. So Ali now with a chance to win this game brings in one of the premium arms in Matt's Fonson to hold the lead in the eighth inning. And in the ninth, the Cardinals dig into their old bag of devil magic and get to work. He get the lead off single by Victor Scott the second to left. Brin Donovan, who was a late addition to the lineup. He smacks his fourth double of the game, which ties a major league record. Victor scores all the way from first base because he's really, really fast.

Starting point is 00:10:31 And all of a sudden, we've got a tie ball game. Jose Fermin ends up running for Donnie at second base. Ivan Herrera does good baseball, moves a runner over, hits it over to the right side. So there we are. Runner on third, one out. And despite one of the hottest hitters in the league coming up to the plate, despite it being a lefty-righty matchup, the Giants pitch to Alec Berlison, who rips the single to right field to give the Cardinals a lead.

Starting point is 00:10:58 Jojo and Riley O'Brien finish it in the ninth inning, an insane comeback victory that had all of the energy and excitement of a playoff situation, of a playoff game, which it kind of was. The Cardinals lose this game and they are officially eliminated. But they fought back and they got the victory. The Cardinals aren't fools. They realize that this season isn't likely going,

Starting point is 00:11:20 to include the postseason. They're not lying to themselves. And after the game, Donnie spoke with Alexa Dad on the field about building a culture and building for the future. And that's what this last couple of weeks has been about with a lot of the group that is in the clubhouse right now set to be the guys they're going to go with moving forward. And it's games like this that make it so hard for me. And I'm sure some other fans to be mad at this team for the numerous mental errors that they make on the bases, which are so cringy. Their lack of talent in the starting rotation

Starting point is 00:11:53 that wasn't addressed properly over the last couple of years by management. You know, there's obviously the series against the Rockies, losing seven games to the Pirates this year, losing to the Braves. Like teams that you probably should have won more games against, you didn't, and now it has cost you

Starting point is 00:12:11 a chance to be in the wildcard spot in the National League. I know a lot of fans have moved on and quit watching them on TV. obviously they have quit coming to Bush Stadium this year. But for me, it's like Michael Corleone and the Godfather part three. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. But it was a fun game. It was fun to watch that baseball game last night.

Starting point is 00:12:36 So good job, Cardinals. The ABS system is coming to the big leagues officially next season. And I for one couldn't be happier about this. So we're going to discuss that next coming up on Locked on Cardinals. Guys, you've probably heard of Viagra or Cialis. Maybe you've even tried these products in the past. But if you look at for something beyond the usual pill, it's time to meet Rouguette Golong.

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Starting point is 00:14:03 promo code, one word, locked on MLB, and make sure to use our code that way they know we sent you. Get back on the field with confidence at rougiet.com. Today's show also brought to you by GameTime. There's nothing like catching a baseball game live. Gosh, I wish I had been at Oracle Park last night to watch that one. The energy, the crowd, the chance to see your favorite team and players in person, but actually getting tickets,

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Starting point is 00:15:11 faster, cheaper, less stressful than the other ways I've ever bought tickets. Download the game time app, create an account, use code locked on MLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again, that's promo code LOC, E, D-O-N-M-LB for $20 off. Swipe, tap, Ticket, go, download game time today. Thanks again for making a lockdown Cardinals for first listen every day. If you enjoy daily Cardinals content, you can follow the podcast on X at L0-1 underscore Cardinals. Also available on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram at Lockdown Cardinals as well. So we did get a taste of what the ABS system was like when they brought it into spring training this year.

Starting point is 00:15:54 The minor leagues have been using it. And if you've seen a minor league game, you were more familiar with it than most people who just watch major league baseball games. But seeing it done with major league hitters, major league umpires, majorly pitchers, that was a whole new thing in the spring. And I genuinely, I don't personally know somebody that's a baseball fan that didn't like how it went. You know, you're going to get the people who are like, well, you know, I don't want it to be all on computers and robots and stuff like that. And that's fine. And that's the point of this. It's not just about, you know, the ABS or robot ums.

Starting point is 00:16:31 There is the human element, which is still involved, which is something that the players and fans still want. But it worked so well. It was quick. It was efficient. And most importantly, it got the calls right, which is the point. That's really what we're trying to do here. Make sure that the rules of the game are enforced properly and that any human error that is

Starting point is 00:16:55 found to happen, and that's okay. But it's so that it doesn't overly affect what the outcome of the game is going to be. We've seen how, you know, the video replay system has been able to overturn or confirm calls on the field. And for the most part, it works pretty well. You know, last night, we had that situation with Victor Scott, stealing second base called safe on the field. They took a look at it. It took a while. It was a little bit longer than the normal video replays. But it's happens from time to time you'll hear Chip and the guys say stuff like, well, there could be other calls in the queue. I don't know how that's a problem. Do we not have enough people that can just pay attention to one game? And that's their job for the night. I don't see how that's so difficult why there's only like a couple of people that can do it.

Starting point is 00:17:42 That's weird to me. But either way, they eventually and usually get the calls correct. All right. not always, but usually. If this technology and system had been around and say, oh, I don't know, what's like a random time? What about 1985 in the World Series between the Cardinals and the Royals? Then perhaps St. Louis has another championship banner and another championship trophy in their trophy case. The Derek Jeter, home run against the Orioles.

Starting point is 00:18:13 That could be something that was erased. Remember when the kid reached over the wall? What about Bartman with the Cubs? does that get wiped out if we had this technology back then? You know, I could go on and on. There's tons of calls that are like this, but the point is to get the calls right, you know? And that technology has helped,

Starting point is 00:18:32 and now we're going to have the ABS, which will be in place to help the home plate umpires get it right on balls in strikes. And one of the things, and I always go back to this game, because when I think of like horrendous performances behind home plate, I think about 1997. I think about home plate umpire.

Starting point is 00:18:53 Eric Gregg, God rest his soul, no longer with us, but called one of the most atrocious games I have ever seen, which led to the Marlins, Levan Hernandez, beating the Atlanta Braves. He had a record 15 strikeout performance. That game would change that series a little bit. Marlins would go on to win a world series. It never should have happened.

Starting point is 00:19:18 It never should have happened. And if you've never seen the footage of this game, go watch it. It is a bloodbath of a strike zone that makes you wonder if Eric Craig even had his eyes open during some of this game. And it was always against like the left-handed hitters, any ball on the outside. Like it would be in the other batters box. It would be in the right-handed hitters' batters box. And he was ringing it up, calling it a strike.

Starting point is 00:19:44 Like the last pitch of the game against, I think it was Fred McGriff, one of the the most grotesque calls you will ever see. And we just don't want that anymore. Now, if we look at, let's bring it closer to home. We look at last night's umpire scorecard for home plate umpire Malachi Moore. We see 81% called strikes accuracy. The guy was clearly giving a couple of inches to the outside corner against lefties. Very similar to Eric Grigg, not as egregious as that, but very similar.

Starting point is 00:20:14 where if Logan Webb or any righty was throwing a pitch near the outside part of the plate against the lefty, he was ringing it up. Those aren't strikes. They're not. He shouldn't have been doing that. So with new technology in the ABS, both the Cardinals and the Giants, could challenge if they wanted and the ABS would have proven that those are indeed balls. And not only would it get the calls right, but perhaps it also kind of forces the home plate umpire to adjust what he's perceiving as the strike zone and call a more accurate game moving forward. That way we aren't at the mercy of guys like, you know, Angel Hernandez, who's no longer an umpire. But, you know, CB Buckner, okay, he's a guy that everybody always

Starting point is 00:21:03 has problems with, right? We don't have to put up with that crap anymore, you know, or any of the other notoriously terrible home plate umpires who just seem to randomly decide what the strike soon is going to be that day instead of calling it the way it's supposed to be according to the rulebook each team will start the game with two challenges apiece if the game goes to extras any team that starts the extra inning out of challenges will get one for the 10th inning if they exhaust that challenge they will then get another one for the 11th and so on if team has challenges remaining at the start of the 10th they will not get an additional challenge that inning, though they will get one for any subsequent inning if they're out of challenges at the start of the inning.

Starting point is 00:21:47 The bat or the pitcher or the catcher can challenge an umpires call. No one else, not even the managers can do it. Challenges got to be made like immediately. There's no wasting time there after the umpires call. You tap the hat. You tap the helmet, whatever it is you want to do. No assistance from the dugout or other players. A team only loses its challenge if the umpire's call is confirmed. Stat-wise, 288. games with the ABS challenge system during spring training. There was an average of 4.1 challenges per game. And those challenges took 13.8 seconds on average. So it's quick, not a lot of standing around like with the video replay, which is great.

Starting point is 00:22:25 And it gets the crowd involved because it shows it up on the scoreboard. They're like, all right, there it is. And everybody's like, oh, either agreeing with the hump or disagreeing with what they saw. In the spring, players challenged 2.6% of all called pitches, so very low. And the overturn rate, though, was great. 52.2%. This was higher than the 50% overturn rate at AAA. These major league hitters, they got better eyes.

Starting point is 00:22:48 They do. It works. Catchers can still be good at framing and get calls because you can't challenge everything. So that's going to be a skill to decide when and where the challenges need to take place. But, you know, it's going to eliminate the egregious balls that are called strikes and vice versa, which have a better chance of being eliminated. and I think that's a good thing. Not everybody agrees, but I think it's a good thing.

Starting point is 00:23:12 Let's talk about this playoff picture. Got an update on that next because it was a wild night Major League baseball last night. We'll get into all of it next on Locked on Cardinals. The NFL season is here in Fandall is making sure you're ready for kickoff with a can't miss offer. Right now, new customers can bet just $5. Five bucks.

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Starting point is 00:24:50 Thanks for making it locked on Cardinals, your first list every day for your second list. And check out Locked on MLB game night. Every game, every night until the World Series champion is crowd. You'll get local analysis, but on a national scale, find MLB game night on Locked on MTV on YouTube or wherever you listen to your podcast. So first off, I want to congratulate the Springfield Cardinals, who won their game against Midland after erasing a three to nothing deficit.

Starting point is 00:25:13 It was kind of funny, like watching the game last night in San Francisco. Francisco and they brought up the the springfield had won and they were like hey they came from behind why can't our cardinals and then boom all sudden the comeback was on they came back to win that game four to three and four so winter take all tonight in texas so we wish them the best of luck uh we talked about j j weatherholt winning the texas league mbp yesterday yesterday that was a big deal uh but eishon henderson pitcher was named the texas league pitcher of the year he was the one who got the start for springfield on tuesday night and ended up picking up the win after giving up three runs over six innings of work. So good job there. Manager Patrick Anderson also one manager of the year for the Texas League. They're going to have Bryson Mott's on the mound tonight. He was named a postseason all-star, along with outfielder Joshua Baez, who had a monster season this year. Very excited about the future of that young man. So it's good to see some of the talent in the system, getting some recognition, and hopefully they'll be able to help the Cardinals compete

Starting point is 00:26:12 championships in the very near future. So mathematically, the Cardinals are still alive. It's insane, but they're still alive in the MLB playoffs. Very slim. But three and a half back behind the Mets who won on Tuesday night coming from behind to beat the Cubs, they were down six to one at one point, and the Cubs blew the lead. And Mets came back and won it by a score of nine to seven. Cardinals are two and a half back of the Cincinnati Reds who lost to the Pirates.

Starting point is 00:26:42 while the Diamondbacks walked it off against the Dodgers came from behind and got two in the ninth inning to win that game. So it's been wild to see the top teams in the National League right now, all going cold at the same time. The Brewers have lost three straight. The Phillies have lost three straight. The Dodgers have now lost back-to-back games. The Cubs have lost five in a row. Those are the top four seeds right now in the National League. All of them are on losing streaks at the moment.

Starting point is 00:27:08 Meanwhile, number two seed, as far as the wild cards, part goes. The Padres won four in a row and they're now threatening the Dodgers. They're threatening to take over the NLS from the Los Angeles Dodgers. They're trying to get that crown. So that's gotten exciting with Mike Schulton company. The Diamondbacks have won three in a row, which has created life for the Cardinals where there shouldn't be any at all. Like there's no reason. The Cardinals should be at two games under 500 competing for a spot in the playoffs. but here we are. Here we are. The bottom line is you got to keep winning. You just got to keep winning. Take care of your own business. You need all of these guys to lose a ton of games. It's not going to happen probably. So I'm not getting overly excited about it. But it's nice to see the team competing and playing hard. And you keep winning and we'll see what happens. That's really what you got to go with. Tonight it's Sunny Gray against former Sight Young Award winner, Robbie Ray at Oracle Park. It's going to be another late one. So if you're going to be going to be. going to be up and watching. Make sure you're, you're following me on social media,

Starting point is 00:28:13 because I'll be up, you know, with you the whole time watching the games before I go over to MLB game night. But if this game is even remotely close to being as entertaining as Tuesday's game, you can count me in because that was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it thoroughly. And for those of you missed out, shoddy mind you. Thanks for making Lockedong Cardinals. Your first listen every day. If you haven't already, give us a follow on X at L0 underscore Cardinals in the JD Sports radio, TikTok and Instagram at Lockdown Cardinals. Please like and subscribe on YouTube. It really does help our channel and our love for the St. Louis Cardinals grow.

Starting point is 00:28:45 You guys are the best fans in baseball for a reason. I'll see you next time on Lockdown Cardinals.

Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - St. Louis REFUSES to Die as Cardinals Late-Inning Heroics Shock The San Francisco Giants

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