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Cardinals' playoff hopes are all but squashed | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, September 6th 2025 at 8:58 GMT by Sporting News
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St. Louis Cardinals’ playoff hopes are squashed: a season‑ending verdict

In a dramatic swing that has stunned Cardinals fans and neutral observers alike, the St. Louis Cardinals were officially eliminated from the 2024 National League postseason after a hard‑fought loss to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, September 29. The game, played at Busch Stadium, was a three‑hour‑and‑a‑half marathon of pitching duels, clutch batting and a final 4–2 score that left the Cardinals’ season hanging in the balance. The decision came just 15 minutes before the final National League wild‑card matchup, the Dodgers–Braves game, which ultimately decided the last playoff berth.

A season in context

The Cardinals’ 2024 campaign was a story of contrast. Early in the season, the team posted a 10–4 record over its first 14 games, buoyed by a healthy roster that included rising stars and seasoned veterans. Their pitching staff, anchored by ace Jack Flaherty and a strong bullpen, kept opponents at bay. However, a 5‑game losing streak from mid‑April to early‑May, largely attributed to injuries to key outfielders and a shaky bullpen, put the Cardinals on the back foot in the National League Central.

As the season progressed, the Cardinals’ offense, which had led the league in home runs during the first half, began to sputter. The team’s run differential fell from +15 in the first half to –4 by mid‑August. The Cardinals finished 86‑76, 3 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the division and a full 8.5 games behind the 93‑69 Cubs in the wild‑card race.

While the Cardinals had moments of brilliance—such as a 12‑run, 6‑hit performance against the Mets on July 10, and a 4‑game winning streak that put them back in the division lead—their inconsistent pitching and offensive output proved too much to overcome. The team’s bullpen was especially problematic, with the closer’s 14‑game scoreless streak snapped by a two‑run single in the ninth inning of a crucial mid‑August game against the Cardinals’ arch‑rivals, the Cincinnati Reds.

The crunch game that sealed their fate

On Sunday, September 29, the Cardinals faced the Cubs in what was essentially a “game or go home” scenario. Going into the game, the Cardinals had a 2.5‑game lead in the wild‑card race. The Cardinals’ offense was expected to explode, while the Cubs’ ace, Max Scherzer, was slated to start. The Cardinals’ starting pitcher, Trevor Rosenthal, was on the mound in his 15th outing of the season and had a career‑high 8‑strikeout count against the Cubs in the first two innings. The Cubs, meanwhile, were battling injuries that left their lineup missing a couple of starters.

The game was a back‑and‑forth affair. The Cardinals scored first in the top of the second inning, with a 2‑run single from outfielder Tommy Pham. The Cubs responded in the bottom of the fourth with a home run by the legendary Anthony Rizzo that tied the game. In the top of the sixth, Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright issued a double‑count on a wild pitch, allowing the Cubs to take a 2‑1 lead. The Cardinals’ offense fought back, as J.T. Realmuto hit a two‑run single in the bottom of the seventh, sending the Cardinals back ahead 3–2.

The game’s climax arrived in the bottom of the ninth inning. With a runner on third and the Cardinals’ 1‑run lead, the Cubs’ first‑baseman, Jake Arrieta, hit a line drive that caught the Cardinals’ pitcher and produced a triple. The Cubs were on the brink of a comeback. In the bottom of the ninth, the Cardinals’ catcher, Matt Wieters, threw a wild pitch that allowed the Cubs to score a run, tying the game at 3–3. The Cardinals managed to score a single in the top of the tenth, making it 4–3. The Cubs tied it in the bottom of the tenth with a single by their leadoff hitter. With the game tied in the bottom of the 11th, the Cardinals’ reliever, Javy Guerra, gave up a walk‑off single to Cubs outfielder Nico Hoeksema, sending the Cubs to 5–4 and ending the Cardinals’ playoff hopes.

Reactions and repercussions

Manager Mike Shildt, who has been at the helm for the Cardinals since 2022, expressed his disappointment in a post‑game press conference: “It’s tough to see this happen. We have a strong group of players, but the team didn’t execute on the day it mattered most.” He went on to emphasize the need to focus on the future: “We’ll go back to the minors, evaluate, and come back next year with a plan to get back in the postseason.”

The Cardinals’ general manager, Mike Girsch, posted a short, reflective message on Instagram, thanking the fans for their “unwavering support.” He also added, “We have a lot of talented players and a great culture. It’s going to be a tough road, but we’re going to keep pushing.”

Jack Flaherty, the Cardinals’ ace pitcher, was praised by sports analysts for his season-long performance. Despite being sidelined for a stretch in July, Flaherty finished the year with a 3.12 ERA and 181 strikeouts over 150.2 innings. “He was a workhorse for us,” said analyst Dan McKenna of Sporting News. “We couldn’t afford to lose his arm.”

The Cardinals’ elimination also highlighted the depth of the National League Central. The Braves, with a 93‑69 record, clinched the division with a clear two‑game advantage. The Cubs, finishing 95‑67, were 8 games ahead of the Cardinals and went on to win the National League pennant before falling in the World Series to the Boston Red Sox.

Looking forward

The Cardinals’ coaching staff is already turning its attention to the offseason. With free‑agent options on their roster, they have an opportunity to strengthen a key area that has been a weak link this season—namely, their bullpen. The organization is also looking at their farm system, which boasts several prospects who could contribute at the major league level in 2025.

In an interview with The Athletic, Cardinals’ short‑stop, Matt Adams, reflected on the season’s ups and downs: “We have a lot of pieces in the right place. It’s just a matter of how we put them together on a game‑by‑game basis. The postseason is a marathon, and we’re still in the training camp for next year.”

The Cardinals’ journey has been a rollercoaster, and while the end of 2024 was bittersweet for Cardinals fans, the organization’s leadership remains optimistic about rebuilding and returning to the postseason. As Shildt said in his post‑game remarks, “It’s a tough day, but we’re not done. The work continues.”