The St. Louis Cardinals’ 6-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday was marred by a sudden rain delay that occurred at a crucial moment in the game. Despite the weather being clear for most of the game, a thunderstorm descended upon St. Louis just as the Cardinals had loaded the bases in the bottom of the 10th inning. The rain delay lasted for three hours and three minutes before play could be resumed.
However, the rain delay should not have been a deciding factor in the game. The Cardinals had ample opportunities to win before the storm hit. After trailing the White Sox by one run, Nolan Arenado led off the 10th inning with a single that advanced Paul Goldschmidt to third base. The Cardinals had a strategy in place to maximize their scoring chances by risking the lead runner, and it worked when Rafael Ortega made a throwing error, allowing Goldschmidt to retreat to third while Arenado and Alec Burleson reached base safely.
Unfortunately, the Cardinals squandered their chances to score. Lars Nootbaar and Masyn Winn struck out swinging, leaving the game in Nolan Gorman’s hands just as the rain began to fall. Play was suspended, and when it resumed over three hours later, Gorman was replaced by Iván Herrera, who struck out on a pitch outside the zone. However, it was the Cardinals’ inability to score before the rain delay that ultimately decided their fate.
The Cardinals’ offensive struggles have been a theme of their season. Despite strong performances from players like Arenado, who reached base safely all five times in Saturday’s game and hit a go-ahead three-run homer, the team has been unable to consistently score runs. Their record of 15-18 would look different if they had been able to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.
The Cardinals will look to salvage a series win against the White Sox on Sunday, with Dylan Carlson expected to return to the lineup. However, their biggest improvement needs to come from their bats. Manager Oli Marmol acknowledged that the team has been in a rut offensively and emphasized the need for quality at-bats and production from their left-handed batters.
In conclusion, while the rain delay was a talking point of the game, it should not have been the deciding factor. The Cardinals had plenty of chances to win before the storm hit, but their offensive struggles have plagued them throughout the season. Sunday’s game presents an opportunity for them to turn things around and secure a series win against a struggling opponent.