Cardinals manager Mike Matheny indicated Sunday that pitcher Michael Wacha is set to be used in an extra-innings role if needed, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
"Michael gives us definitely some flexibility, and we can use him in a different role, but right now that’s pretty valuable to us knowing that we can be quick (to other relievers), like we were," Matheny said. "It leaves a huge need in case we come back and tie the game."
Wacha missed more than two months during the regular season due to a stress reaction in his right shoulder. He didn't warm up while Game 1 starter Adam Wainwright struggled in the middle innings, and he didn't begin to warm up during the team's Game 2 win until the game appeared it would head into extra innings before Kolten Wong smacked a walkoff home run. Wacha could end up not logging any innings this postseason if the team remains committed to saving him for a potential extra-innings scenario.