MLB: A Retrospective Of October 2020, NLWC (STL/SD)
(originally written October 2020)
The #5 seed Cardinals absorbed blows from COVID in 2020 but powered through and secured an "October" berth despite a 4-5 finish. They weren't much with the bats, but resurgent Adam Wainwright contributed to a team ERA ranked 4th in the NL. Meanwhile, the new-look Padres went ALL-IN at the deadline, bringing in numerous new (and most importantly, better) guys without sacrificing much. The result: the end of their 14-year playoff drought. It's anybody's series.
Cardinals 1B Paul Goldschmidt, looking to erase the memory of his rough 2019 NLCS, drilled a no-doubt home run off a (Padres SP) Chris Paddack heater as part of a four-run 1st inning.
Turns out all San Diego needed was the Hosmer double, as nine Padres relievers teamed up to shut the Cardinals down. CL Trevor Rosenthal (pictured right) got the final three outs; Austin Adams was credited with the win as St. Louis managed just four hits.
The #5 seed Cardinals absorbed blows from COVID in 2020 but powered through and secured an "October" berth despite a 4-5 finish. They weren't much with the bats, but resurgent Adam Wainwright contributed to a team ERA ranked 4th in the NL. Meanwhile, the new-look Padres went ALL-IN at the deadline, bringing in numerous new (and most importantly, better) guys without sacrificing much. The result: the end of their 14-year playoff drought. It's anybody's series.