Live Chats

Join columnist Jeff Gordon for his live STL sports chat at 1 p.m. Friday

Bring your Cards, Blues, Mizzou, SLU and MLS questions and comments, and talk to columnist Jeff Gordon in his weekly live chat.

3rd & 7 37yd

Bobo is here and ready to go ahead of what should be a most challenging Cardinals series against the Braves. So let's go!

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 4:42:13 PM
In doing some quick napkin analysis, Goldschmidt vs Alonso vs Schwarber in remaining opponents all three each play the Pirates, Braves, Cubs and Nationals the difference being frequency. The Cardinals seem to have the easiest path as the Phillies have 7 left vs Atlanta where both New York and St. Louis only have 3 each with the Braves. The Cardinals have 9 left with Pittsburgh, the Mets 7 and the Phils only 3. Mets have 6 with Nationals versus the Phillies and Cards only 3. Cubs play each of the trio 3 more times (wash). The other notably things are Mets and Phillies get the Marlins 6 more times to the Cardinals matching up with Cincy 8 more times. Each team also get Astros or Dodgers 3 games more. So it seems like Goldy has an edge here with matchups, agree or disagree?

by Nick N 8/26/2022 4:42:28 PM
That schedule does seem to favor Paul Goldschmidt, but it will come down to which hitter stays hot the longest. When these guys are locked in, they do damage against just about anybody.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 4:44:30 PM
Good morning Gordo thanks for your Chat
Can we please quit trying PDJ experiment over and over and over?
It just puts the president of baseball operation in a position of embarrassment over and over and over

by B 8/26/2022 4:44:39 PM
Yeah, that was a rough week at Wrigley Field for him. Paul is hitting his way into the background again. With Tommy Edman fielding well at shortstop, Brendan Donovan hitting his way back into everyday duty and Nolan Gorman’s bat holding up well, I can see DeJong reduced to a defensive replacement role with an occasional start against lefty pitchers.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 4:44:55 PM
Is the Cardinals skipper in the mix for manager of the year in his rookie season?

by Nick N 8/26/2022 4:45:00 PM
Oliver Marmol should feel some love for NL Manager of the Year, but I imagine Buck Showalter will get the nod. The National League East is intense and the Mets have had to overcome adversity to bid for the division crown. And don’t forget how bad that team looked under his predecessor.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 4:45:15 PM
How much longer can the cards continue to play Dejong, have Edmond play ss and keep Dickerson and Donovan in the lineup....

by bigron 8/26/2022 4:50:36 PM
Paul DeJong was already losing some at bats -- and that 0-for-5 with Nolan Arenado out of pocket Thursday did not help.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 4:51:32 PM
Jack Flaherty wins one regular season game. Over, under, or push?

by Jack 8/26/2022 4:51:35 PM
I will be bold and say over. This Kool Aid tastes great!

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 4:51:54 PM
Wait, does Corey Dickerson suddenly have the inside track to be a line up starter for postseason against right handed hurlers? So crazy CD has come out of nowhere that he has forced the issue, right? Also hindsight being 20-20, now he is making MO and the front office looking a little bit better re: off season moves panning out vs busts, don't you think?

by Nick N 8/26/2022 4:52:07 PM
Corey Dickerson goes 10-for-10 and he hit some ropes in that stretch. He’s been rolling since back in July after overcoming the injuries and getting into a better headspace about his part-time role. And look at him, giving Dakota Hudson a motivational pep talk! Suddenly the Dickerson/Pujols signings don’t look so bad, to your point. That should make John Mozeliak feel good, not that he needs the confidence boost.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 4:52:44 PM
No disrespect to the future Hall of Famer, but if the season ended today, would we all agree that Molina hung around one year too long? There is still time to make a splash and make it a worthy finale.

by Jack 8/26/2022 4:52:58 PM
Yes, Molina pushed it one season too far. His knees told him so pretty quickly this season. This unhappy experience serves as a reminder to Albert Pujols not to push his body too far by reconsidering his retirement. So far it seems like Albert is still ready to pack up after this season.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 4:54:39 PM
So I guess the most important question for the Cardinals right now is how many more players' wives are expecting babies in the next six weeks?

by Craig 8/26/2022 4:55:06 PM
I'm betting the Cardinals analytics team already has produced a spreadsheet on this, based on what the players are saying . . .

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 4:55:31 PM
You think that the stars are aligned where Pujols will get his 700th before season's end?

by Nick N 8/26/2022 4:55:33 PM
Albert is on a heater now, something I did not imagine when he signed – and something I certainly did not see coming in June when he was struggling. Albert will be raising his hand next week when the Cardinals play three games in the Great American Band Box. So, yes. I believe he can get to 700.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 4:55:51 PM
Where is Dylan Carlson?
Thanks

by CHRIS 8/26/2022 5:03:10 PM
Well, he played for the Cardinals last night so I assume he's still with the team . . .

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 5:03:33 PM
Gordo,

The Athletic was not very high on Blues farm system, ranking them in the bottom 5. Is the window for the Blues shrinking, if they can't use cost effective players in the future to fill in holes and provide impact?

by DDMN 8/26/2022 5:11:49 PM
The biggest concern beyond the next season or two is the defensive corps. Scott Perunovich has big upside and young legs, but otherwise the Blues have committed to a veteran group with long-term contracts. And, no, there is not much in development on the blue line. Up front, the Blues could use could a few of their bottom six wingers progress to the top six tier. Alexei Toropchenko doesn't seem to have that sort of skill, but perhaps Jake Neighbours or the long-overdue Klim Kostin can take the step. And there is some hope that Zachary Bolduc could outperform his prospect projections. Trading for the Pavel Buchnevich in his prime helped balance the demographic makeup of the front lines, but Brayden Schenn is heading into the twilight and both Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O'Reilly have expiring contracts. So, yes, GM Doug Armstrong could have a challenging summer of 2023.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 5:21:31 PM
Knizner has hit .295 in his last 30 games not for much power but he does have some doubles. Thats got to build some confidence for next season in having him be part of a platoon right?

by Brandon 8/26/2022 5:21:38 PM
Yes, he has definitely boosted his stock. He has done his part to add some offensive depth to this team. As I noted in a column this week, he was one of the sub-.200 hitters who stepped up back in July to help prod the Cardinals back on track.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 5:22:57 PM
I feel like all the angst is out of the DeJong situation now. He did his time in AAA, tried to come back, flashed for a minute but then faded. He can leave this winter with his held high unless Oli and Mo insist on driving him into the pavement with fans like they did Carp. It’s over. They don’t need him put him under glass and move him this winter.

by Tackleberry 8/26/2022 5:23:38 PM
Given the number of offensive options emerging for this team, Paul DeJong won't play much moving forward if he doesn't hit. Like I noted earlier, his role could slide into defensive replacement/occasional start vs. lefties. With Masyn Winn in development, I don't see the Cardinals investing a fortune in a shortstop this wiinter if Tommy Edman can hold the fort.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 5:26:34 PM
Some think waino will pitch another year but his comments about wanting to spend time with his kids sounds like he might retire after this year

by Ron 8/26/2022 5:26:37 PM
He does have a huge family. That commitment, and his charitable endeavors, could keep him busy. My guess early on this season was that family would win our over baseball. If it does, I'm sure the Cardinals would want him involved in some capacity.
But the man has continued to pitch at a high level and he lives for the competition, so we'll see.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 5:29:00 PM
This team needs one more consistent bat beyond Goldy and Arenado. It doesn’t need to be at their level but it does need to be a player who can hit righties and lefties,

by South City Steve 8/26/2022 5:29:03 PM
Yeah, and the team can't expect Albert Pujols to be that guy. The Cardinals were hoping Tyler O'Neill could relocate his 2021 form, but he hasn't sustained that level of success this season. It's too soon to expect that of Nolan Gorman, so it looks like Oliver Marmol will have to mix-and-match his way to production with ever-changing batting orders. For now, he can ride Corey Dickerson of all people.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 5:31:58 PM
Speaking of prospects, Jim Bowden ranked Jordan Walker as his number 1 prospect, but he suggested Walker would make his debut this season. I find that highly unlikely. He hasn't even played an inning in AAA. It is more likely he comes up in the middle of '23. I still think Walker can be a star in the league, and Masyn Winn is coming a long nicely. Any other prospects you have an eye on?

by DDMN 8/26/2022 5:32:19 PM
Jim Bowden has been pushing Jordan Walker's promotion big time. But like you say, let's see Walker face some wizened Triple-A hurlers before penciling him in the big league lineup. The other hot prospect name for the Cardinals right now is pitcher Tink Hence, but he is years away. Pitcher Gordon Graceffo has suffered a reality check at Double-A Springfield, so his elevator has stopped at the Double-A level for now. On the other hand, Alec Burleson has sustained his power for a full season at Triple-A, so he could wedge his way into the mix next season.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 5:37:35 PM
Happy Friday BoBo! Redbird Rants has Sean Murphy as a possible trade candidate and I can see why because he has a gold glove and around a 750 OPS which is good for a catcher but Murphy is going to start making money next year. My question is would Herrera and Burelson with some pieces be enough?
Second question; Would Winn, Jordon, Mcgreevy, Libatore or Thompson have to be included if Burelson and Herrera aren't enough? Thanks for the chats and have a great weekend!

by Jimmy 8/26/2022 5:38:10 PM
Sean Murphy will be a popular trade target this winter with the A's in tanking mode. But is Andrew Knizner starting to show enough to create confidence in a tandem of him and Ivan Herrera? I am less skeptical about this that I was a few weeks ago, As for trading for Murphy, the Cardinals would be stupid to put anybody in that trade that wouldn't move for Juan Soto -- so that rules out Masyn Winn, Jordan Walker and Tink Hence. I would also put Nolan Gorman and Brendan Donovan on that no-trade list for Murphy. Beyond those guys, a lot of prospects could be in play for an upgrade trade.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 5:43:20 PM
Paul DeJong the last week. 2-25 with 2 BB's and 12K's. He can't make the postseason roster playing like this.

by Ryan P 8/26/2022 5:44:53 PM
As a defensive sub he could make the roster. Oliver Marmol likes having him at shortstop and Tommy Edman while trying to hold a late lead.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 5:45:43 PM
Cards going to need more pitching after next year with Flaherty going to free agency and Miklos moving on

by Choni 8/26/2022 5:47:30 PM
I could see Miles Mikolas sticking around. He's happy here and he is from Jupiter, Fla. But it's safe to the Cardinals will be looking for pitching every year given the rate of attrition at the position.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 5:49:20 PM
So the Cards are national news now—one player going for 700 and another for the Triple Crown. Can you guys at the PD handle it? Seriously, though, do the national reporters call you for background at these times?

by Stan the Fan 8/26/2022 5:50:30 PM
Derrick and the Commish are two of the most respected ball writers in the country, so, sure, they will hear from their colleagues when the Cardinals are relevant. And right the team is running couple of storylines of national interest.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 5:51:30 PM
I think Waino should stick around to get the league wide accolades he deserves and to reach 200. He’s got it in him. He’s been overshadowed a bit by Pujols’ good retirement process and Yadi’s bad one.

by Stan the Fan 8/26/2022 5:54:15 PM
Fans would to see him back for sure. Adam loves proving people wrong -- so maybe if more media types started questioning whether he could still pitch well that would drive him back.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 5:55:41 PM
If Pujols is say 2 shy of 700 going into the games with the Pirates at the end of the year, do you think that some of the Pirate pitchers would groove him a fastball or two? They would get into the record books !

by Stan the Fan 8/26/2022 5:56:13 PM
I'm guessing that some veteran pitchers might give Albert the courtesy of late-season fastballs up in the zone, but I'm not sure that a young pitcher fighting to build a career would be so inclined.

by Jeff Gordon 8/26/2022 5:58:10 PM