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 "John Lackey is going to be our starting pitcher," he said.
The identity of the Cardinals' starter for Game 4 was among the top
questions in recent days, and it took on added urgency as Tuesday's
contest now will be an elimination game for St. Louis. Chicago
grabbed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series with the win Monday.
"He's proven it all season long, as the guy that we go to in big
situations, and (Tuesday) is a big situation," Matheny said. "He's
ready to go on short rest. We'll get him out a little earlier than
he's accustomed to, but he's had enough rest, so it's time to go."
Several days ago, Matheny seemed to suggest that Lance Lynn would
get the call in Game 4.
Lynn had a 12-11 regular-season record with a 3.03 ERA. He last
faced the Cubs on Sept. 18, giving up three runs in 3 1/3 innings in
an 8-3 Cardinals loss.
Lackey was 13-10 with a 2.77 ERA during the regular season.
"He had a good game against us," Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant
said. "He took a no-hitter into the sixth. He's a tough pitcher and
he's a competitor."
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MLB Team Report - St. Louis Cardinals - NOTES, QUOTES
RECORD: 100-62, first place in National League Central
NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES: Cubs 2, Cardinals 1
NEXT: NLDS, Game 4, Tuesday -- Cardinals (RHP John Lackey, 13-10,
2.77 ERA regular season; 1-0, 0.00 ERA postseason) at Cubs (RHP
Jason Hammel, 10-7, 3.74 ERA regular season; postseason debut)
PLAYER NOTES:
--RHP Michael Wacha allowed four home runs in six career postseason
appearances prior to allowing three in 4 1/3 innings against the
Cubs on Monday. "He just had trouble early on," Cardinals manager
Mike Matheny said. "I thought his fastball as he was finishing up
was probably the best it's been all night." Including four
regular-season starts, Wacha has a 7.11 ERA against the Cubs this
season.
--1B Stephen Piscotty was 2-for-4 with a homer and two runs. His
two-run homer in the ninth inning trimmed the final margin and was
his second long ball in three postseason games. Piscotty is 5-for-12
in the series.
--RF Jason Heyward was 2-for-4 with a double, a homer and two RBIs.
He recorded his second career postseason homer and first since Game
3 of the 2013 NL Division Series at Los Angeles with the Braves.
Heyward had St. Louis' first hit in the second inning Monday.
--LF Matt Holliday went 1-for-3 with walk and two runs. His first
runs of the postseason were the 13th and 14th of his Cardinals
career in Division Series action. He is tied with Edgar Renteria for
third most in Cardinals history in that category.
--RHP John Lackey (13-10, 2.77 ERA regular season) gets the start
Tuesday on three days' rest as the Cardinals seek to prevent a Cubs
clincher in the National League Division Series. Lackey allowed just
two hits over 7 1/3 scoreless innings to capture Game 1 of the
series. "He's proven it all season long as the guy that we go to in
big situations, and (Tuesday) is a big situation," manager Mike
Matheny said. "He's ready to go on short rest."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "They jumped on Michael for a couple, and I thought
he got better as he went and really did manage damage overall." --
Manager Mike Matheny, on RHP Michael Wacha, who served up three
homer balls Monday in the Cardinals' 8-6 loss to the Cubs.
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[to top of second column] |
MLB Team Report - St. Louis Cardinals - ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--RHP Carlos Martinez (strained right shoulder) went on the 60-day
disabled list retroactive to Sept. 26. He missed the remainder of
the regular season and will miss the postseason.
--RHP Jordan Walden (right biceps inflammation) went on the 15-day
disabled list retroactive to April 30, and he was transferred to the
60-day DL on June 30. He began a rehab assignment with Double-A
Springfield on July 23, then moved his rehab to Triple-A Memphis on
July 29. He halted his rehab assignment Aug. 4 due to a setback. He
was given a new strength and conditioning program Aug. 11, but was
ruled out for the season Sept. 6. He might need surgery.
ROTATION:
RHP John Lackey
LHP Jaime Garcia
RHP Michael Wacha
BULLPEN:
RHP Trevor Rosenthal (closer)
LHP Kevin Siegrist
RHP Jonathan Broxton
RHP Seth Maness
RHP Carlos Villanueva
RHP Adam Wainwright
LHP Tyler Lyons
RHP Lance Lynn
CATCHERS:
Yadier Molina
Tony Cruz
INFIELDERS:
1B Stephen Piscotty
2B Kolten Wong
SS Jhonny Peralta
3B Matt Carpenter
INF Mark Reynolds
INF Greg Garcia
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Matt Holliday
CF Randal Grichuk
RF Jason Heyward
OF Jon Jay
OF Tommy Pham
OF/INF Brandon Moss
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reserved.]
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