3 Cardinals most to blame for Wild Card defeat to Phillies

Cardinals first-year manager Oli Marmol faces blame with choices

In much of Marmol’s first season as manager, he appeared composed and made good decisions to benefit the Cardinals. Managing a team with some legendary players older than him, some current stars, and a crop of talented rookies, Marmol had a tall task ahead of him.

But it seemed apparent from the start of the season that he was a respected team leader. He made decisions that were different from previous managers, and while he was getting some good results, he did run into similar issues of a lack of consistency at the plate.

The Cardinals coasted to the NL Central Division title. They were never dominant over their division rivals but did enough to win the division. Some of this could be attributed to a lack of scoring when it mattered most.

The team featured some players who hit roadblocks at the plate. Players like Paul DeJong, Dylan Carlson, and Tyler O’Neill struggled to find consistency at the plate. Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, and even Albert Pujols had moments. It would be easy to assume the team could have benefited from instruction from the team’s hitting coach Jeff Albert. DeJong, Carlson, and O’Neill went to AAA Memphis to improve their swings. Goldschmidt, Arenado, and Pujols attempted to fix issues with video and bouncing ideas around with each other and the hitting coach.

Marmol could have attempted to better that situation. Although, Albert is believed to be one of the “philosophical differences” leading to Mike Shildt’s dismissal.

While hitting was undoubtedly an issue, some critical decisions in the ninth inning on Friday doomed the Cardinals.

With a 2-0 lead going into the top of the ninth Friday, Ryan Helsley was brought back into the game after getting key outs in the eighth inning. Helsley had told Marmol and the staff that he was healthy and good to go out for the ninth.

That decision looked good as he struck out Rhys Hoskins to begin the inning. But then Realmuto singled, Bryce Harper walked, Castellanos walked, and Alec Bohm was struck by a Helsley pitch, scoring Realmuto.

Mike Maddox and Marmol each visited to ensure Helsley was still in good health, only to learn that after a pitch hit Bohm, Helsley had lost feeling in his fingers.

Jack Flaherty and Andre Pallante were warming in the bullpen. Hoping the generate a ground ball double play, Marmol opted for rookie arm Pallante. With Brendan Donovan playing toward right field rather than in at the second base, Jean Segura singled to right fielder Carlson, allowing Harper and Castellanos to score.

Things didn’t improve, with Bryson Stott reaching on a fielder’s choice, allowing Edmundo Sosa to score for Bohm. Brandon Marsh singled to left field, allowing Segura to score. Kyle Schwarber hit a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Bryson Stott to score. Hoskins called out on strikes to end the inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Cardinals had their best hitters coming to bat against reliever Zach Eflin. Goldschmidt flied out. Arenado singled to right field. Paul DeJong flew out. Dylan Carlson walked. Nolan Gorman entered the game, his first since returning from a demotion to Memphis. Gorman singled to right field, scoring Arenado. And that was it. Yadier Molina struck out to end the game.

Marmol couldn’t seem to get the team going on Saturday. The Cardinals went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, striking out eight times and leaving nine runners on base.

With their backs against the wall and such a fantastic season, the buck ultimately stops with the manager on the team’s failings. This should be a learning experience for the new manager, who has some lessons to take with him starting next season.