MIAMI—With none of the Cardinals’ starters having lasted longer than five innings the first time through the rotation, it is incumbent on righthander Jack Flaherty, the acknowledged ace of the staff, to alter that pattern Wednesday afternoon and give some key members of the bullpen a rest in the series finale with the Miami Marlins.
“We could use the length out of Jack,” manager Mike Shildt said. “We’ve got some guys that will be down. And we’ve got some guys who will be back and available.”
John Gant, who needed 82 pitches to traverse four innings in Tuesday’s 4-2 win, said, “I don’t think five meets the mark.