MLB Player News

Wainwright will start the NL Wild Card Game on Wednesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Wainwright made his final start of the regular season Tuesday, and he'll have additional rest ahead of his postseason start. The right-hander posted a 5.06 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 16 innings across his last three starts, but he'll attempt to bounce back against the team's NL West opponent in the pivotal wild-card matchup.

Walker didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Marlins, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks over 7.1 innings. He struck out five.

He took a shutout into the eighth inning, but after Lewin Diaz led off the frame with a double and Walker then issued a one-out walk to Eddy Alvarez, the right-hander got the hook after 90 pitches (57 strikes) and had to watch as Seth Lugo let both inherited runners score plus one more, costing Walker his eighth win. He struggled throughout the second half of the season but was able to deliver a strong performance in his final start. Walker wraps up the 2021 campaign with a 4.47 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 146:55 K:BB through 159 innings.

Gray (7-9) allowed five earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six across 4.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the White Sox.

Gray surrendered runs in each of his last three innings to sink his effort. The big blow came on a two-run home run by Gavin Sheets in the third inning, as Gray allowed no other extra-base hits. He'll end the season in disappointing fashion, surrendering nine earned runs across his last 8.2 frames and two starts. Gray's final 4.19 ERA doesn't stand out positively, though he also had a 1.22 WHIP and 155 strikeouts across 135.1 innings.

Wood did not factor in the decision against Arizona on Wednesday despite hurling six scoreless frames during which he allowed three hits and no walks while striking out six.

The southpaw put together arguably his finest performance of the campaign, finishing with at least six innings and no runs for the first time in his 26 starts. However, Wood had to settle for a no-decision, as San Francisco didn't get on the scoreboard until the seventh frame. Assuming he doesn't pitch again in the regular season, Wood will finish the campaign with a 3.83 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 152:39 K:BB along with a 10-4 record over 138.2 innings. He'll likely be a part of San Francisco's playoff rotation.

Kelly hurled five scoreless innings against San Francisco on Wednesday, allowing three hits and four walks while striking out four. He did not factor in the decision.

Kelly struggled with efficiency in the contest, needing 96 pitches to get through five frames and issuing his most free passes since he walked five batters May 8. However, the right-hander didn't allow any extra-base hits and managed to keep the Giants off the scoreboard. Overall, it was a positive final start for Kelly, who entered the contest having yielded 15 earned runs over his previous 15.2 innings. In the likely case that he doesn't pitch again this season, Kelly will finish the campaign with a 4.44 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 130:41 K:BB across 158 innings.

Contreras allowed three hits and a walk with four strikeouts in three innings, taking a no-decision versus the Cubs on Wednesday.

Contreras made a strong first impression in his first major-league start, although the Cubs' offense isn't a huge threat. The right-hander had a solid year in the minors with a 2.64 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 58 innings across 13 starts between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. The 21-year-old only made one Triple-A appearance, so he may begin the 2022 season there; however, a strong start to the season could see him quickly rise to the big leagues again.

Flaherty allowed one hit and one walk with one strikeout through a scoreless inning of work in Wednesday's 4-0 loss to the Brewers.

For just the second time in his career, Flaherty made an appearance out of the bullpen Wednesday. The right-hander gave up a double to Lorenzo Cain and a walk to Jackie Bradley but did not allow a run. The Cardinals would love to have the 2019 version of Flaherty available to start a playoff game or two, but the oblique and shoulder injuries that the 25-year-old has suffered this season leave his role undetermined as St. Louis eyes up an October run.

Hendricks allowed two runs on five hits across five innings but did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Pirates. He walked one and struck out five.

Hendricks may have been able to earn his 15th and final win of the season if he was allowed to work later into the game, but the 68-90 Cubs capped the righty at 78 pitches with little to play for. It was at least good to see Hendricks pitch better, as he had allowed 11 runs (10 earned) across 9.1 innings in his previous two starts. The 31-year-old will finish the year with a 14-7 record, 4.77 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 131 strikeouts across 181 innings. That's a down campaign by Hendricks' standards, as he had registered an ERA below 3.50 in each of the last five seasons. His track record suggests that he's a good candidate to bounce back in 2022.

Mikolas (2-3) allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk with seven strikeouts through 5.2 innings, taking the loss in Wednesday's 4-0 defeat to the Brewers.

Well, all good things must come to an end. One night after clinching a playoff berth with a franchise-record 17th consecutive win, the Cardinals suffered their first loss since Sept. 10. Mikolas was beyond solid for the majority of the night, allowing a run in the first before holding the Brewers scoreless through his next five innings pitched. But, with two outs in the sixth, Daniel Vogelbach took the right-hander yard for a two-run shot. After Lorenzo Cain followed that up with a base hit, manager Mike Shildt made a call to the bullpen. Even though it will be Mikolas' name affixed with an "L" in the box score of the game that ended the Redbirds' historic streak, he recorded season highs in strikeouts (seven) and pitches thrown (96). As the Cardinals look to make a run into October, look for Mikolas to pick up some work. He is the proud owner of a 1.50 ERA over 12 postseason innings.

Houser (10-6) allowed three hits and two walks with one strikeout over five shutout innings, picking up the win in Wednesday's 4-0 victory over the Cardinals.

If anybody were to end the Cardinals' joyous 17-game winning streak, it would be Houser. Though he did have to wriggle out of a couple jams, he allowed just a trio of hits en route to his 10th win of the season. Through four starts against St. Louis this year, the right-hander is 3-0 with a microscopic 0.36 ERA over 25 innings. If the Brewers are to renew hostilities with the Redbirds in the postseason, they have a Cardinal killer in Houser at their disposal.