The St. Louis Cardinals outfielders were able to get it done in Saturday night's 5-4 comeback victory over the division-rival Chicago Cubs.
Newly reacquired veteran Tommy Pham's energizing double and triple, Brendan Donovan's three-hit night and Lars Nootbaar's sacrifice fly all played a crucial role in helping St. Louis erase a 4-1 deficit in the top of the eighth inning.
Unfortunately, a starting outfielder suffered an injury during the come-from-behind win -- prompting St. Louis to recall a minor leaguer for a second shot at the big leagues.
"The Cardinals are calling up Victor Scott II ahead of tonight’s game against Chicago, which indicates an injured list stint for Michael Siani (oblique)," The Athletic's Katie Woo reported Sunday. "Really tough break for Siani and St. Louis."
The speedy Siani is batting .256 with two homers, 18 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 101 games. Siani, 25, was injured during his second at-bat of Saturday's 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs.
Manager Oliver Marmol wasn't sure how much time Siani would miss.
"Obliques, they usually take a little while," Marmol said. "It's different for every guy. We'll see how he responds over the next couple of days and have a better indication as to what it looks like."
Lars Nootbaar played center for the Cardinals for their Sunday night game against the Cubs.
Less than a week after the Cardinals traded two center fielders in separate deals at the deadline, they are now uncertain about Siani’s availability for the coming week, if not longer. John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations, said the team’s decision was “TBD” based on the results of Siani’s scan, the complete scope of which may not be known until Sunday morning. The Cardinals most likely choice will be to prioritize defense at the position and bring back their opening day center fielder, prospect Victor Scott II.
Scott was kept out of the lineup Saturday night for the Class AAA Redbirds in preparation for the possible promotion.
St. Louis entered Sunday night's game at 57-54, second in the NL Central and 2½ games out of the final NL wild-card spot.
It's disappointing that the Cardinals will be without Siani for an extended period of time. He was on pace to win his first Gold Glove for his incredible lockdown defense in centerfield for St. Louis this season but an oblique strain can be tricky, so who knows when he'll be back.
There might be one less potential Gold Glove defender in the outfield for a while but at least St. Louis has a blazing-fast and talented outfielder on the way.
Siani's Injury Throws a Wrench into Cardinals Outfield Plans
The Cardinals' Center Field Options
Two members of the current roster — newly added Tommy Pham and Lars Nootbaar — have also played center field extensively and would free up a spot on the bench to add a right-handed bat, which the Cardinals wanted Pham to be. Nootbaar replaced Siani in the lineup just in time to deliver a game-winning sacrifice fly Saturday against the Cubs that scored Pham from third for a 5-4 victory.
The Cardinals also have other outfield options in the minor leagues, including Jordan Walker and Luken Baker. Walker has blistered several hits at 110-mph or harder during the Redbirds’ current road series. Since his return to the minors 70 games ago, Walker has hit .243 with a .391 slugging percentage.
Baker has 27 homers and a .865 OPS for Memphis, and this season he’s hitting .286 against lefties with a .695 slugging percentage.
Although he’s not on the 40-man roster and that plays into any discussion for a promotion, Matt Koperniak has had an impressive season with a .319 average, a .370 on-base percentage, and a .887 OPS in 86 games. The left handed-hitting outfielder also has 14 homers.
Koperniak, Walker, and Baker all started for Memphis on Saturday.
The Cardinals' Need for Speed
The Cardinals have struggled to prevent stolen bases this season. Opponents have stolen 100 bases against the Cardinals, matching last year’s total allowed for the entire season.
The 100 steals allowed this year and last are the most by the Cardinals since 1997, when opponents stole 134 bases. The Cardinals haven’t had back-to-back seasons allowing at least 100 stolen bases since the 1980s.
Siani's speed was a valuable asset to the Cardinals. His absence could hurt the team's ability to prevent stolen bases.
Scott's Second Chance
The Cardinals traded two center fielders at the deadline, so they are in need of another center fielder.
What the Cardinals Should Do Next
The Cardinals are in a tough spot with Siani's injury. They need to figure out how to replace his production. They also need to figure out how to prevent stolen bases.
The Cardinals have several options available to them. They could promote one of their minor league outfielders. They could also try to trade for a center fielder.
The Cardinals need to make a decision soon. The season is getting late, and they need to find a way to stay in contention.
The Future of the Cardinals' Outfield
The Cardinals will need to figure out who their center fielder of the future will be.
Siani was a strong candidate for the role, but his injury has thrown his future into doubt. Scott is another possibility, but he will need to improve his hitting.
The Cardinals' outfield situation is still very fluid. It will be interesting to see how it unfolds in the coming weeks and months.
The Bottom Line
Siani's injury is a big blow to the Cardinals. It's a reminder that anything can happen in baseball.
The Cardinals need to find a way to adjust and keep winning. If they can do that, they will be in good shape to make a run in the playoffs.
The Cardinal Way
The Cardinals are known for their strong defense and pitching. Siani's injury could hurt their defense, but they are still confident in their ability to win games.
The Cardinals have a lot of talent on their roster. They will need to rely on their depth to overcome this setback.
The Cardinals' Next Move
The Cardinals are going to have to make a decision about how to address their outfield situation.
They need to decide whether to promote one of their minor league outfielders or to try to trade for one.
The Cardinals' next move will be a crucial one. It could determine the outcome of their season.
The Cardinals' Fans
The Cardinals' fans are disappointed to see Siani go down with an injury.
They are also curious to see who the Cardinals will call up to replace him.
The Cardinals' fans are always passionate and supportive of their team. They will be there to cheer them on through thick and thin.
The Cardinals' Future
The Cardinals are a team with a lot of potential. They have a young and talented roster.
Siani's injury is a setback, but it's not the end of the world. The Cardinals are still capable of making a deep run in the playoffs.
The Cardinals' future is bright. They are a team to watch in the years to come.
The Cardinals' Legacy
The Cardinals are one of the most successful teams in baseball history. They have won 11 World Series championships.
The Cardinals are a team with a rich history and a bright future. They are a team that their fans can be proud of.