Case For Each Manager Of The Year Award Finalist

At the start of each baseball season "hope springs eternal," and the realities of a grueling 162-game schedule are still just hypothetical. It's when they materialize that managers have to navigate choppy waters to achieve the goals set out in Spring Training. At the end of each season, we look back and see teams that surprised and teams that overcame a rash of injuries or other adversity to reach the postseason in the face of long odds.

St. Louis Official Site

Three Keys To Cardinals Finishing Off NLDS Vs. Braves

Four games into the National League Division Series between the Cardinals and Braves, things are about as deadlocked as can be. Heading into Wednesday’s winner-take-all Game 5 at SunTrust Park, three of this series’ four games have been decided in the late innings, two by one run.

St. Louis Official Site

Jack Flaherty: 'It Really Came Down To Two Pitches'

One hundred sixteen pitches into his first afternoon on the postseason stage, Jack Flaherty reached back for one last slider. He’d already thrown 48 across 6 2/3 innings, which he spent dueling with Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz. None had betrayed him. But a handful of fastballs had; they were directly responsible for the three-run deficit Flaherty and the Cardinals suddenly found themselves in.

St. Louis Official Site

Bernie's Daily Redbird Review 10-4-19: The Cardinals Ride Their First Wave October Insanity, Win Game One

The Daily Redbird Review, Postseason Edition:

101 ESPN

A Close Look At Key Factors That Could Decide The NLDS

Hours before the first pitch in Atlanta for Game 1, here are some key areas that I’ll be monitoring in the St. Louis vs. Atlanta matchup in the NLDS. Why? Because these factors are likely to go a long way in determining the outcome.

101 ESPN

Mark Melancon Is Looking Like His Old Self

It’s been a while since Mark Melancon was dominant. Before signing a four-year, $62 million contract with the Giants prior to the 2017 season, Melancon had been one of baseball’s best closers. In four years, he didn’t end a season with an ERA higher than 2.23. Injuries plagued his first two seasons with the Giants, and when he pitched, his performance ranged from “Pretty good” to “Uh oh.”

Beyond The Boxscore

Shane Greene Brings Fighting Mentality To Braves

If you’re wondering about the ferocity of the Braves’ new closer, you simply need to know Shane Greene likens himself to a boxer.

Atlanta Official Site

Giants Traded Mark Melancon To Braves

Atlanta Official Twitter

Pablo Sandoval's 11th-Inning Homer Keeps Giants Rolling

During the Giants’ implausible rise in less than a month from last-place outsiders to Wild Card contenders, there has been a constant: Turn the ball over to the bullpen, and something good is likely to happen.

San Francisco Official Site

Is Tony Watson An Option For Relief Help?

The St. Louis Cardinals have been linked over and over to different lefty relief options to fortify that side of the pen. Is a reliever out West and option?

Redbird Rants

Greg Holland, After Being Unsigned Last Offseason, Has New Take On Free Agency

Diamondbacks closer Greg Holland closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and allows those unpleasant memories to slowly trickle back into his thoughts.

USA Today

The Cardinals Celebrated Tyler O'Neill's Walk-Off Home Run By Ripping His Shirt Off

Cardinals rookie outfielder Tyler O'Neill has already been hyped as the strongest man in baseball and it's easy to see why. Even in a baseball uniform -- which are not known for highlighting upper-body muscles -- O'Neill's physique stands out among his peers. His dad was a professional bodybuilder, so there's clearly a gene for muscles in the O'Neill family.

Cut4

Oliver Perez Is Back & He's Better Than Ever

For the majority of the 2018 season, the AL Central leading Cleveland Indians have had one glaring weakness on their squad: the bullpen. Struggles from Cody Allen, injuries for Andrew Miller, regression from Tyler Olson and Zach McAllister, and the loss of Bryan Shaw shaped a clear need at the deadline. They did what they needed to do, grabbing a pair of controllable relievers in Brad Hand and Adam Cimber at the cost of standout prospect Francisco Mejia. Hand has been his usual good self, while Cimber has somewhat struggled, but these were much needed pieces.

Beyond The Boxscore

Christian Yelich Keys Offense As Brewers Lean On Bullpen

Everywhere you look these days, you see a juicy trade rumor connecting the Brewers to a starting pitcher. Toronto's J.A. Happ before he went to the Yankees. Cincinnati's resurgent righty Matt Harvey. The Mets' Zack Wheeler, who has been a Brewers target before. The Orioles' Kevin Gausman. The Rays' Chris Archer.

Milwaukee Official Site

Mark Melancon Celebrates First Save In A Year

Lost in the Giants' excitement surrounding Madison Bumgarner's eight shutout innings in Thursday's 3-0 win over San Diego was Mark Melancon's moment of triumph.

San Francisco Official Site

Giants Activated Mark Melancon From The Disabled List

Alex Pavlovic Twitter

Giants May Try Pablo Sandoval At Second Base

Pablo Sandoval still is learning how to be a role player. No longer an everyday third baseman, Sandoval is branching out to expand his versatility. Aside from playing third and first, he has caught bullpen sessions and even pitched a perfect inning, one of the team’s 2018 highlights.

SF Chronicle

Kirk Rueter Recalls His Albert Pujols Encounters

When a reporter reminded him that he allowed four of Albert Pujols’ 3,001 hits, Kirk Rueter had one question: “Did he homer off me?”

SF Gate

Wild Closers, Bad Managing, Late Losses. Welcome To Cardinals Baseball!

A public service announcement: If you were alarmed by Greg Holland’s walks in the park on Tuesday night, it’s advisable to settle down and get used to it.

101 ESPN

Greg Holland Deal - Strong Move With Little Risk For Cardinals

Former Rockies closer Greg Holland has agreed to a deal with the Cardinals, pending a physical this evening, the Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reported this morning. National baseball writer Jon Heyman first reported that it's a one-year, $14-million deal.

Hochman