SAN DIEGO PADRES NOTES:
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ST. LOUIS CARDINALS NOTES:
RECENT REDBIRDS: The St. Louis Cardinals return home to open a six-game, seven-day homestand against the San Diego Padres and division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium … The Cardinals finished 1-5 on their recent road swing through the Keystone State of Pennsylvania against Pittsburgh (1-2) and Philadelphia (0-3).
FLIGHT PATTERN: The Cardinals have lost nine of their last 11 games … St. Louis enters the day in 5th place in the NL Central, a season-low 17.5 games out of first and a season-high 19 games under .500 … St. Louis has spent 113 of 147 days in last place on the MLB schedule (April 26-May 19, May 29-July 7 & July 28-present) … The Cardinals 56-75 record is their lowest at the 131- game mark since 1955 when they were 55-76 (.420) … St. Louis would need to finish 25-6 (.807) over its remaining 31 games to avoid finishing under .500 for the first time since 2007 (78-84).
ROSTER UPDATE: Prior to tonight’s homestand opener, the Cardinals activated RHP Drew VerHagen off the bereavement list and Optioned RHP James Naile to Memphis (AAA).
WHO’S YOUR PADRE: The Cardinals all-time .667 (168-84) home win percentage over the Padres (1969-present) is the 2nd-highest win pct. by one team vs. any opponent at home in MLB history behind the Yankees (.668, 175-87) success over the Royals in New York … Since Busch Stadium III opened in 2006, the Cardinals .704 home win pct. (38-16) vs. the Padres is their 2nd-best against any visitor behind only Colorado (.750, 45-15) … St. Louis was 130-68 (.637) against the Friars at Busch Stadium II (1969-2005), their best against any opponent in stadium history.
HOME COOKING: The Cardinals have defeated the Friars in their last seven home games (April 7, 2019-present), their longest active winning streak over any opponent at Busch Stadium … Over that timespan, the home team in the Cardinals-Padres series has won 14 of the last 16 games, with St. Louis earning both wins in enemy territory at PETCO Park (June 30, 2019 and Sept. 22, 2022).
HEARTBREAK HOTEL: St. Louis is 10-23 (.303) in one-run games this season, 2nd-lowest win percentage in one-run games in Major League Baseball to only San Diego (6-20, .231).
THIS OR THAT: Over their last 13 games (Aug. 14-present), the Cardinals have scored six runs or more in all four victories, but just three runs or fewer in all nine defeats.
TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: RHP ADAM WAINWRIGHT (3-9, 8.61)
TONIGHT’S GAME
- Makes his 18th start of the season & 475th career appearance (408th career start). • Is seeking an end to his career-high eight-game losing skid (June 24-present). • Enjoys his 42nd birthday on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Is one of three active players age 40+ with Rich Hill (43) and Miguel Cabrera (40). Has made 55 starts since turning age 40. • Currently is the 11th-oldest pitcher in Cardinals history and 6th-oldest starting pitcher. • Wainwright is one of 13 pitchers (two Cardinals) in MLB history to make 400 or more career starts exclusively with one organization. Clayton Kershaw (417) joins Wainwright as the two active. Bob Gibson ranks 6th, while Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators leads at 666. • Is two wins shy of 200 for his career. • Has pitched 2,644.2 innings in his career, 14.0 from tying Bob Forsch (2,658.2) for 3rd all-time in Cardinals history. • Celebrated 18.000 years/days of Major League service on Aug. 21, the same day Joey Votto hit the 16.000 MLS milestone. Miguel Cabrera (20.074) and Zack Grenike (19.030) are only other active players to have hit that mark. • Has pitched 5.0+ innings in 11 of 17 starts (two quality starts, both against NYM). • Has missed a total of 48 games this season. Missed the first 33 games of the season (March 30-May 5) due to a groin injury suffered while working out during the WBC Finals and another 15 games (July 5-23) due to a right shoulder strain.
BUSCH STADIUM III (2006-present)
- Made his 212th career start at Busch Stadium III on Aug. 17, 2023 surpassing Félix Hernandez (211 at T-Mobile Park) for 17th-most at a single stadium in MLB history. • Has 1,200 regular season strikeouts at Busch Stadium III, 13th-most all-time at a single stadium. Dazzy Vance (1,201 at Ebbets Field) ranks 12th.
- Has thrown 1,424.1 innings at Busch, 35th all-time at a single stadium. Tommy Bridges (1,430.1 at Tiger Stadium) ranks 34th. • Earned 107 career regular season wins at Busch Stadium III, tied with Wilbur Cooper (107 at Forbes Field) for 22nd-most wins at a single stadium. • Needs one Home win to pass Jesse Haines (107) for 2nd all-time among Cardinals. • Is one of 22 pitchers in MLB history to hold a stadium’s record for both appearances (243) and starts (212). Joins Bob Forsch (233 app/207 GS at Busch II) as Cardinals on that list.
LAST TIME OUT
- Came away with his career-worst 8th consecutive defeat, allowing six runs on seven hits over 4.1 innings in a 6-3 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park last Tuesday. Charged with five runs in the 5th inning, four with two outs, as Pittsburgh got out to a 6-1 lead.
