Cardinals get exactly what they need from trade deadline pickup

The St. Louis Cardinals acquired Jose Quintana at the trade deadline to bolster their starting rotation. After his first start, it looks like it was the right move to make.

The St. Louis Cardinals were busy at the trade deadline, where they were in the running for star outfielder Juan Soto. That ultimately did not pan out, but the organization focused on perhaps their greatest need — starting rotation help. With Jack Flaherty sidelined long-term, they needed to add pitchers to their rotation. Their biggest addition was Jose Quintana, who was solid with the Pittsburgh Pirates this season.

On Thursday, Quintana made his debut for the Cardinals as part of a doubleheader against his former team, the Chicago Cubs. Quintana shined, striking out seven batters and surrendering one earned run on one hit in 6.0 innings in the 7-2 victory.

Jose Quintana shines in Cardinals debut

The only blemish for Quintana was allowing a solo home run to Patrick Wisdom in the third at-bat of the first inning to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead. Nolan Arenado gave St. Louis the 2-1 lead in the bottom half of the inning on a two-run homer. Despite the fact that Quintana got through the remaining five innings of his outing, he did not get credited for the win.

Jordan Hicks relieved Quintana in the top of the seventh inning, surrendering an RBI single to Nelson Velazquez to tie the game 2-2. St. Louis would pull away after a three-run homer recorded by Tyler O’Neill in the bottom of the seventh and a two-RBI double by Tommy Edman in the eighth.

Hicks was credited with the victory.

So far, so good for Quintana, who now holds a 3.39 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP through 21 starts this season.

The Cardinals will have Jordan Montgomery, their other starting pitcher acquired at the deadline, make his debut on Saturday, Aug. 6. He pitches against the New York Yankees, the team that traded him for outfielder Harrison Bader.