WASHINGTON -- With a four-game series win secure and an early first pitch looming on Friday in Chicago, Cardinals manager Mike Shildt kept regulars Paul Goldschmidt, Paul DeJong, Yadier Molina and José Martínez out of the starting lineup for Thursday’s series finale against the Nationals.
Molina eventually caught the ninth inning of St. Louis' 2-1 loss in the series finale, while Goldschmidt, DeJong and Martinez each entered as pinch-hitters.
“Really, it’s about just a day,” Shildt said prior to the 3:05 p.m. CT first pitch at Nationals Park, which comes before a 1:20 p.m. CT first pitch at Wrigley Field on Friday. “There’s a factor that we have another turnaround game tomorrow with the day game. It’s an opportunity for a couple things. Get the guys a little bit of a blow -- they’ve been going really hard. … And it also, really importantly, gets guys a chance in the lineup to get at-bats.”
The upcoming three-game set against the Cubs is the rare weekend series where each game’s start time is progressively later than the previous one, meaning Molina should have no issues catching all three.
In Molina's stead, Matt Wieters made just his third start of the season on Thursday against former Nationals batterymate Stephen Strasburg. Jedd Gyorko (third base), Tyler O’Neill (right field) and Yairo Munoz (shortstop) all also started after beginning at least the last two games on the bench.
Entering Thursday’s matinee, the Cardinals had won five straight, including the first three in Washington, and 10 of their last 11, though Shildt said that didn’t have a major influence on his decision.
“If it makes sense, it makes sense,” he said. “I can’t say it’s completely independent, but it’s not the primary factor.”
From the trainer’s room
• Reliever Luke Gregerson came out of Wednesday’s live batting-practice session feeling fine and will be activated sometime over the weekend, which will require a corresponding roster move. Shildt said he believed there was “some flexibility” over when Gregerson could be activated. The 30th and final day allowed on his Minor League rehab assignment is Friday.
• Outfielder Dexter Fowler was back in the clubhouse Thursday following an illness that kept him completely out of action the last two days, but he remained out of the lineup. Shildt hoped Fowler might be able to contribute from the bench but ultimately stayed away from him.