The St. Louis Cardinals came into the 2023 season with expectations of potentially being a true dark horse in the National League. We are now over halfway through the MLB season, and their season has spiraled out of control. They hit rock bottom with one of the worst blown games in the league this season on Wednesday, and Cardinals fans have seemingly reached their breaking point.
The Cardinals came into the game with a 35-50 record, the third-worst record in the National League, sitting at the bottom of the NL Central. It looked like they were going to come away with a win against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, but they found a way to brutally throw away the game, quite literally.
St. Louis had a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Marlins were mounting some resistance, with two runners on base and one out in the inning.
Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Hicks got Marlins shortstop Joey Wendle to hit a weak ground ball back to him. However, he proceeded to throw the ball way over Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, trickling into shallow right field. Both runners already on base would come into score on the brutal mistake, resulting in a Marlins walk-off victory.
The Marlins walk it off on an absolutely brutal throwing error from Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Hicks…😬pic.twitter.com/I0OIino1lk
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) July 6, 2023
This play was the epitome of the Cardinals’ season to this point, and fans of the team let them know about their obvious frustrations after the game.
Marlins win… Like this hahaha.
Unreal. This Marlins team is something, and this Cardinals team is something else. pic.twitter.com/VPHCAeoiuz
— Isaac Azout (@IsaacAzout) July 6, 2023
Send the Cardinals to Williamsport. pic.twitter.com/gR7ZUibEf3
— Trent Attyah (@BookitWithTrent) July 6, 2023
I didn’t think it was possible for things like this to happen to the St. Louis Cardinals franchise.
But this year seems to be defying all odds for the redbirds.pic.twitter.com/TT41znD0Io
— Hunter Baumgardt (@hunterbonair) July 6, 2023
The Cardinals are just inventing new ways to lose at this point.
pic.twitter.com/pSU2EC6X0A— John Bollman (@JohnBollman11) July 6, 2023
The Royals are 25-62 and the Cardinals are 35-51. A combined 53 games under .500
Missouri – Where baseball comes to die. pic.twitter.com/tA0AePsEhr
— Augie Nash (@AugieNash) July 6, 2023
It certainly has to be frustrating for Cardinals fans to see their team underperforming so much, especially considering they still have some very good talent on the roster.
Both Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt are still having very good seasons, but it hasn’t mattered, and costly plays like this are a big reason why.
