Cardinals playoff hopes fade after an 8-2 loss, surrendering 18 hits and dropping 6.5 games back in the NL Wild Card race. Injuries to Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado plus Willson Contreras’ suspension thin the lineup and fuel concerns about late-season run production.

Two upcoming Pallante and Gray starts pace a bid to gain ground as St. Louis faces Giants again and then Seattle. The closing stretch is brutal: six against Milwaukee and 12 versus current playoff teams in 20 games, with a .550 SOS. Fantasy managers should monitor Donovan’s status, Arenado’s health, and Contreras’ discipline as the lineup juggles for the stretch run.

Willson Contreras erupted after being ejected from the Cardinals’ win over Pittsburgh, tossing his bat toward first-base umpire Stu Scheurwater. The bat struck Brant Brown, the Cardinals’ hitting coach, and Contreras capped the moment by pelting the field with Hi-Chew. MLB punishment could loom, adding risk to Contreras’ playing time and fantasy upside.

The triggering 0-2 pitch from Yohan Ramírez had an 87.5% chance to be called a strike per TruMedia, a reminder that competitive fire often flares on close calls. Contreras is still productive (.261/.345/.460, 19 HR, 70 RBI in 120 games, 2.3 WAR), but discipline could alter STL’s lineup and fantasy projections moving forward.

In a related note, Victor Robles’ recent bat-throwing incident in a rehab context underscores how tempers influence roster decisions. For fantasy investors, Contreras’ status and the Cardinals’ catcher arrangement will shape rest-of-season planning and risk assessment.

In a pivotal matchup on July 22, the St. Louis Cardinals (52-49) are set to face the struggling Colorado Rockies (24-76) in Game 2 of their series at Coors Field. The Cardinals snapped a three-game losing streak with a 6-2 victory over the Rockies, led by standout performances from Willson Contreras and Masyn Winn, each contributing three hits. On the mound, Erick Fedde (3-9, 4.83 ERA) will look to build momentum against Rockies pitcher Bradley Blalock (0-2, 9.97 ERA), who has struggled this season.

The current odds favor the Cardinals at -156 on the moneyline, while the Rockies sit at +130. Betting trends suggest the Cardinals have won 26 of their last 50 games following a win, and interestingly, the last six games for the Rockies against National League teams have gone under the total. In terms of player performance, Ryan McMahon is riding a modest hitting streak, while former Cardinal Nolan Arenado has struggled recently with just 3 hits in his last 15 at-bats.

Jacob Misiorowski, a promising prospect for the Milwaukee Brewers, made a stunning MLB debut, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals. His performance included five innings pitched, no hits allowed, three walks, and five strikeouts. Misiorowski's outing was cut short due to calf and quad cramping, highlighting the team's cautious approach given his potential as a cornerstone for the franchise.

Despite the injury, Misiorowski's electric stuff was on display, with 14 pitches exceeding 100 mph and a variety of sliders and changeups clocking above 90 mph. The Brewers had a comfortable 6-0 lead when he exited, showcasing their strong offensive support. Misiorowski has been touted as one of the top prospects in baseball, and while control issues have been a concern in the minors, his strikeout rate suggests he has the potential to translate that success to the big leagues.

The St. Louis Cardinals have experienced a remarkable turnaround, winning their last eight games and climbing to the 17th spot in the MLB Power Rankings, their highest ranking this season. Key players have shone during this stretch, with center fielder Victor Scott II leading the charge, boasting an 11-game hitting streak. Notably, he recorded a .333 batting average in five games last week. Veteran infielder Nolan Arenado also contributed significantly, hitting .375 and scoring four runs despite missing a game due to a back issue. Willson Contreras and Lars Nootbaar added to the offensive surge, each hitting home runs and driving in critical runs. The Cardinals aim to continue their winning streak as they head to Philadelphia for a three-game series.