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The Cardinal Chronicle When ABS Costs You a Game St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurBottom of the ninth. Tie game. Full count.The pitch comes in — riding the edge, just above the knees. The catcher receives it clean. The umpire calls ball four.The runner takes first.And then, almost as an afterthought, the catcher taps his helmet.Challenge.Everything stops.The crowd doesn’t cheer. It doesn’t boo. It waits.A few seconds later, the call is overturned.Strike three.Inning over.And just like that, the moment changes — not because of what happened on the field, but because of what happened after it.This is the reality of the Automated Ball-Strike system.It doesn’t just correct missed calls — it has the power to rewrite moments.That pitch didn’t suddenly get better. The hitter didn’t suddenly get worse. The pitcher didn’t execute any differently.But the outcome changed.And in a game built on rhythm, that matters.Let’s be clear about what we’re seeing.These aren’t blown calls being overturned.These are borderline pitches — the kind that have always lived in the gray area of baseball. A ball that clips the zone by a fraction. A pitch that depends on how a hitter’s height is measured that day. A fastball at the letters that one umpire might call and another might not.That gray area isn’t a flaw in the game.It is the game.And now, we’re reviewing it like it’s a mistake.ABS was introduced to remove pressure from umpires.Instead, it’s shifted that pressure to the players.Now it’s the catcher, the hitter, or the pitcher who has to decide — instantly — whether to challenge.No replay room. No slow motion. No second look.Just instinct.And when that instinct is wrong?You don’t get it back.That’s not less pressure.That’s different pressure.Baseball has always had a strike zone that breathes.Great pitchers knew how to work the edges. Great hitters knew how to protect against it. Great umpires knew how to manage it.It wasn’t perfect.But it was understood.Now, we’re replacing that understanding with precision and precision comes at a cost.Because the more exact you make something, the less room there is for feel.And baseball has never been a game played by numbers alone.Here’s the part that matters.Nobody is going to remember the percentage of correct calls.Nobody is going to remember the accuracy of the system.They’re going to remember the moment.The walk that wasn’t a walk. The strikeout that wasn’t a strikeout. The inning that should have continued — and didn’t.And sooner or later, a team is going to walk off the field knowing the biggest moment of the game wasn’t decided by a pitch, but by a challenge.&nbsp; Begging The QuestionABS may make the game more accurate, but does it make it better?That’s not a question you answer in March.That’s a question you answer the first time it costs someone a game.And that day is coming.&nbsp;

When ABS Costs You a Game

The Cardinal Chronicle Prospect Stock Market Report March 30, 2026 On Deck — Tracking the Future of the CardinalsThe first weekend of the season gave us something rare—clarity. Not final answers, but direction. And that’s what this report is built to track. Who’s trending up, who’s holding ground, and who’s starting to feel the pressure.&nbsp; 📈 Stock Rising #1 – JJ Wetherholt (2B, MLB, 23) The gold standard just raised the bar.Wetherholt didn’t just debut—he made history. A home run on Opening Day, followed by a walk-off hit in Game 2. That’s not hype—that’s production under pressure.Weekend Line: 4-for-13, HR, 4 RBI, SB Slash: .308 / .333 / .871 OPSAccording to OptaStats, he became the first player in MLB history to homer in his debut and deliver a walk-off in his second game.The Movement: Rocketed from top prospect to immediate impact player at the Major League level. No transition period—he’s already part of the story.Old School Take: This isn’t flash—this is foundation. You don’t bet against hitters who show up big when the lights come on.&nbsp; #4 – Joshua Báez (OF, AAA, 22) Quietly becoming one of the most important names in the system.Báez forced the organization to notice this spring, hitting .333 with power before being optioned. But the real story is underneath the hood.He cut his strikeout rate from 35.5% → 20.6%. That’s not improvement—that’s transformation.The Movement: Trending toward a legitimate Major League call-up conversation sooner rather than later.Old School Take: When a young hitter learns to control the strike zone, everything changes. This isn’t a hot streak—this is a different player.&nbsp; #11 – Tanner Franklin (RHP, A+, 21) Don’t let the spotlight miss this one.While Liam Doyle gets the headlines, Franklin is building something real. A former college reliever now being stretched into a starter—with serious stuff.Fastball: 94–98 mph (touches 102) New Weapon: Sweeper with swing-and-miss upsideThe Movement: Positioning himself for a move to Double-A—and forcing his way into the conversation.Old School Take: Starters aren’t born—they’re built. And this is what it looks like when it’s working.&nbsp; ↔️ Stock Holding #2 – Liam Doyle (LHP, AA, 21) No panic here—just patience.The 2025 first-rounder is working through fastball command issues early, but the raw stuff remains elite.Profile: Mid-to-upper 90s fastball (touches 99), plus slider Pedigree: SEC Pitcher of the Year, First-Team All-AmericanThe Movement: Holding steady—development phase, not decline.Old School Take: You don’t judge a young arm in March. You watch, you wait, and you let talent rise.&nbsp; #8 – Jimmy Crooks (C, AAA, 24) The glove is ready. The opportunity may not be far behind.Crooks continues to establish himself as the best defensive catcher in the system.Caught Stealing: 29.7% (93 CS / 310 ATT)The Movement: Holding—but inching toward a Major League role.Old School Take: Defense travels. And catchers who can control a game behind the plate always find their way to the big leagues.&nbsp; #10 – Tekoah Roby (RHP, AAA, 24) High risk. Still high reward.Roby remains sidelined following Tommy John surgery (July 2025) and is now on the 60-day IL.The Movement: Frozen for now—but not forgotten.Old School Take: You don’t quit on arms with this kind of upside. You just understand the clock resets.&nbsp; 📉 Stock Falling #9 – Brandon Clarke (LHP, A+, 22) Tough break—but not a sell-off.Clarke will miss the first half of 2026 following surgery to repair an aneurysm in his throwing arm.The Movement: Down due to availability—not ability.Old School Take: Health is part of the game. The smart money waits to see what comes back on the other side.&nbsp; #17 – Cooper Hjerpe (LHP, AA, 25) The story hasn’t changed—just stalled.Injuries continue to interrupt what could be a high-impact career. Missed all of 2025 after Tommy John surgery.The Movement: Trending down due to lost time.Old School Take: At some point, durability becomes part of the evaluation. Talent alone can’t carry the load.&nbsp; #20 – Jesus Báez (INF, AAA, 21) The clock is ticking.Big arm. Real bat speed. But Rule 5 eligibility is coming, and the organization will need answers.The Movement: Slipping into decision territory.Old School Take: Prospects don’t develop forever. Eventually, you either step forward—or get passed.&nbsp; For the Record The Prospect Stock Market Report is for evaluation and discussion purposes only. Player value doesn’t truly change week to week—but performance reveals direction.And direction? That’s worth tracking.&nbsp; If I’m being straight with you—this is exactly the kind of piece that builds identity for The Cardinal Chronicle. Clean, authoritative, no fluff, and rooted in evaluation—not noise.When you stack these week after week… that’s how you separate from everybody else.

On Deck — Tracking the Future of the Cardinals

&nbsp; The Cardinal Chronicle The Monday Farm Report St. Louis, MO By Ray Mileur&nbsp; Redbirds Sweep Gwinnett to Kick off the SeasonThe Memphis Redbirds opened the 2026 season the right way—by finishing what they started.A 6–5 win over Gwinnett on Sunday completed a three-game sweep, and while the margin was narrow, the approach was anything but.This was a game won the old-fashioned way—timely hitting, situational execution, and just enough pitching to hold the line.&nbsp; Prieto Delivers When It CountsCésar Prieto was at the center of it all. The third baseman collected two hits and delivered the biggest swing of the afternoon—a game-tying home run in the eighth inning that brought Memphis back from a one-run deficit.Earlier in the game, Prieto helped build momentum with a second-inning rally that pushed the Redbirds out to an early lead.When the game tightened late, he didn’t try to do too much—he just delivered.&nbsp; Winning Baseball in the NinthThe deciding run didn’t come on a highlight swing—it came on execution.With the game on the line in the ninth, catcher Leo Bernal put the ball in play and drove in the go-ahead run with a groundout. It wasn’t flashy, but it was exactly what the moment required.That’s the kind of baseball that wins games over a long season.&nbsp; Lineup Shows DepthMemphis didn’t rely on one bat—they came at Gwinnett from all angles.Colton Ledbetter, Joshua Báez, and Prieto each recorded two hits, while Matt Koperniak, Báez, Bernal, and Prieto all drove in runs.No empty at-bats. No waiting for one guy to carry the load.That’s how you grind out wins.&nbsp; Mautz Impresses in Triple-A DebutLeft-hander Brycen Mautz gave Memphis exactly what it needed at the start.In his Triple-A debut, Mautz worked five innings, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out six. He showed poise, command, and the ability to miss bats—an encouraging combination for a pitcher making the jump.&nbsp; Shuster Still Finding His WayJared Shuster made his Memphis debut out of the bullpen, and the results were mixed.He struck out four over three innings but allowed four runs on five hits. The stuff showed flashes, but the consistency wasn’t there yet.For now, he remains a work in progress.&nbsp; Blewett Closes It OutScott Blewett handled the ninth inning and did what closers are asked to do—finish it.He worked around a baserunner and secured the win, locking down the Redbirds’ first sweep of the season.&nbsp; On Deck: Home Opener in MemphisThe Redbirds return home Tuesday night to open their 2026 home schedule at AutoZone Park against the Norfolk Tides.A sweep on the road is a strong start.Now comes the next step—bringing that momentum home.&nbsp; The Cardinal Chronicle Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future

The Redbirds Sweep Gwinnett to Kick off the 2026 Season

The Cardinal Chronicle The Morning Briefing St. Louis, MO By Ray Mileur&nbsp; Bullpen Woes Overshadow Opening Series WinThe St. Louis Cardinals opened the 2026 season by taking two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays—but the final impression left at Busch Stadium was anything but comfortable.Sunday’s 11–7 loss served as a reminder that while wins count the same in the standings, not all series victories carry the same weight.The Cardinals bullpen, stretched and exposed over the weekend, allowed 16 runs in just 13 innings of work. What had been manageable earlier in the series finally gave way Sunday, as five late runs erased any chance of a comeback.If there’s a concern leaving Opening Weekend, it starts there.&nbsp; Walker Answers the CallIf there was one player who refused to let the weekend drift into uncertainty, it was Jordan Walker.After a quiet and uneven spring, Walker came out swinging—literally.He finished the series 4-for-10 with a home run, a double, and two walks, posting a commanding .400/.500/.900 slash line with a 1.400 OPS. On Sunday, he delivered a statement performance, going 3-for-4 with a three-run home run, a double, and scoring three times.For a player who entered the season under a microscope, this was exactly the kind of response the Cardinals needed.&nbsp; Wetherholt’s Arrival Feels DifferentJJ Wetherholt didn’t just arrive—he made sure everyone noticed.The Cardinals’ top prospect homered in his Major League debut on Opening Day, then followed it up with a walk-off hit in extra innings the very next game. According to OptaStats, he became the first player in MLB history to homer in his debut and record a walk-off hit in his second game.Through three games, Wetherholt went 4-for-13 with a home run, four RBIs, and a stolen base.It’s early—but this didn’t feel like a normal debut weekend.&nbsp; May Day Comes EarlyDustin May’s Cardinals debut didn’t go according to plan. The right-hander lasted just four innings, allowing 10 hits and six runs while struggling to command the zone. He generated only four whiffs and often found himself pitching from behind in counts.The raw stuff is there—but the execution wasn’t.With a road matchup looming next weekend against Detroit, May will need to find consistency quickly. Honoring ExcellenceBefore Sunday’s game, two Cardinals were recognized for their accomplishments from the 2025 season.Alec Burleson received his NL Silver Slugger Award as a utility player, while Masyn Winn was honored with the NL Gold Glove at shortstop.A reminder that even as a new season begins, the foundation of this team is built on proven production.&nbsp; On Deck: Mets Series at BuschThe Cardinals continue their opening homestand with a three-game series against the New York Mets.Monday (6:45 PM) RHP Kyle Leahy vs RHP Clay HolmesTuesday (6:45 PM) RHP Andre Pallante vs RHP Kodai SengaWednesday (12:15 PM) LHP Matthew Liberatore vs RHP Freddy Peralta The Cardinals leave Opening Weekend with a winning record—but also with a clear message. The offense showed life. The future showed promise. Now the bullpen has to hold the line.&nbsp;The Cardinal Chronicle Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future &nbsp;

Monday Morning Briefing - Walker Answers the Call

The Cardinal Chronicle Memphis Starts Strong: Take Two from Gwinnett St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurThe Memphis Redbirds didn’t overpower their way to a series win this weekend.They earned it.With a 3–2 victory over the Gwinnett Stripers on Saturday night, Memphis improved to 2–0 to open the 2026 season, leaning on steady pitching, timely hitting, and a roster built on familiarity rather than overhaul.&nbsp; 🔥 Pitching Sets the Tone Through the first two games of the season, the story has been clear: the Redbirds are winning on the mound.Left-hander Bruce Zimmerman made his Memphis debut in Game 2, allowing one run on three hits over four innings. He walked three and struck out five, working through early trouble before settling into a rhythm.From there, the bullpen took over—and continued what has quietly been a dominant start to the season.Through 9.2 innings, Memphis relievers have yet to allow a run.Max Rajcic earned the win with two scoreless innings, and Skylar Hales closed things out by escaping a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the ninth inning to secure his first save of the year.It wasn’t flashy. It was controlled, efficient, and exactly what a Triple-A club needs early in the season.&nbsp; ⚾️ Timely Bats, Not Big Swings Offensively, Memphis didn’t rely on the long ball. They executed.Blaze Jordan led the way with a three-hit performance, including the go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning that ultimately decided the game.Joshua Báez and Matt Koperniak each added RBI contributions, giving the Redbirds just enough offense to support the pitching staff.It’s a simple formula—but one that travels well over a long season.One name still searching for his footing: Nelson Velázquez.After turning heads as one of the hottest bats in Cardinals spring training, Velázquez remains hitless through his first two games with Memphis. It’s early—but it’s a storyline worth tracking as the season settles in.&nbsp; 🧩 Built on Familiar Ground This isn’t a roster trying to find itself.It’s one that already knows where it’s been.The 2026 Memphis club features 16 returners from last season, with 18 players overall who have previously worn a Redbirds uniform. That level of continuity shows up in clean play, situational awareness, and a team that doesn’t look like it’s learning on the fly.Early in the season, that matters.&nbsp; 👀 Eyes on the Home Opener The Redbirds now turn their attention to Tuesday night’s home opener at AutoZone Park against the Norfolk Tides.And there’s already a development worth watching.Right-hander Hunter Dobbins, currently on the injured list, is rumored to be in line for activation and could take the mound for the opener. Officially, the club has listed the starter as “TBD,” but Dobbins’ potential return would give Memphis an immediate boost at the top of the rotation.&nbsp; 📈 A Steady Start Two games don’t define a season.But they can reveal direction.So far, Memphis looks like a club built to compete—not with flash, but with execution, depth, and a pitching staff that is already setting the tone.And in Triple-A, that’s often the difference between chasing games… and controlling them.&nbsp; The Cardinal Chronicle Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.

Memphis Starts Strong: Take Two from Gwinnett

The Cardinal Chronicle Cards Storm Past Rays: A Youthful Surge &amp; Historic Comeback St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurThe St. Louis Cardinals didn’t just open the 2026 season with two wins over the Tampa Bay Rays—they opened it with a glimpse of who they may become.This is not a finished club. But through two games, it is a club playing with energy, urgency, and a growing reliance on its next wave of talent. The result: a series-opening surge built on resilience, execution, and a comeback that will stand out long after March fades into summer.&nbsp; 🧨 Game 1: The Eight-Run Avalanche Trailing 7–1 in the sixth inning on Opening Day, the Cardinals authored one of the most improbable rallies in franchise history, sending eight runs across the plate in a single frame.It wasn’t just power. It wasn’t just luck. It was a combination of timely swings, pressure on the bases, and a lineup that refused to concede the moment.JJ Wetherholt, making his Major League debut, ignited the rally with a home run and later added a sacrifice fly to tie the game. Alec Burleson followed with the decisive swing—a go-ahead two-run home run that flipped both the scoreboard and the momentum.Nathan Church contributed three hits, including a key two-run single, while Victor Scott II applied pressure with a perfectly placed bunt and aggressive baserunning. Ivan Herrera, serving as the designated hitter, added a sacrifice fly to help draw the Cardinals even.The inning was more than a comeback—it was rare territory. Games featuring both teams scoring six or more runs in the same inning have been virtually nonexistent in modern baseball, making the rally as historic as it was unlikely.&nbsp; 🔒 Pitching That Held the Line Lost in the offensive outburst was a pitching effort that quietly made the comeback possible.Matthew Liberatore worked five innings, allowing just one earned run while navigating consistent traffic on the bases. He didn’t dominate—but he competed, and more importantly, he kept the game within reach.From there, Riley O’Brien and Ryne Stanek handled the late innings. Stanek’s strikeout of Richie Palacios with the bases loaded ended the threat and secured a 9–7 Opening Day victory.&nbsp; ⚾️ Game 2: Execution in Extras The second game offered a different script, but the same result.Right-hander Michael McGreevy carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning, working efficiently and keeping Tampa Bay’s lineup off balance. His effort set the tone for a game that required patience rather than fireworks.When the opportunity came, the Cardinals capitalized.In extra innings, it was Wetherholt once again delivering in the clutch, driving in the go-ahead run as St. Louis edged the Rays, 6–5, to secure the series.Behind the plate, Ivan Herrera made his return to catching duties for the first time since last June—another quiet but meaningful development for a roster looking to reestablish stability at key positions.&nbsp; 🔥 The Next Wave Arrives Through two games, one theme has emerged clearly: the Cardinals are leaning into their youth.Wetherholt, Burleson, Church, and Scott II have not simply contributed—they have driven outcomes. They’ve brought speed, pressure, and a willingness to take control of big moments.These wins were not clean. They were not easy. But they were earned.And as the Cardinals take the field this afternoon with a chance to complete the sweep, first pitch scheduled for 1:15 PM CDT, the early identity is beginning to take shape.Not polished. Not perfect.But moving forward.&nbsp; The Cardinal Chronicle Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.

Cards Storm Past Rays: A Youthful Surge & Historic Comeback

The Cardinal Chronicle 

The Cardinal Chronicle is dedicated to preserving Cardinals history, covering today’s game, and following the next generation through the minor leagues. Written in the tradition of the old beat writers, it’s baseball with perspective — steady, faithful, and rooted in a lifelong love for the game.