ST. LOUIS — For the second consecutive day, the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs went into extra innings at Busch Stadium. This time, however, the Cardinals could not produce another late-game miracle.
After winning in dramatic fashion the previous night, St. Louis watched Chicago score twice in the 10th inning to secure a 4-2 victory. The loss gave the Cubs the series and further highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the Cardinals as the trade deadline approaches.
Among the players at the center of that uncertainty is Lars Nootbaar, whose name is expected to generate plenty of trade speculation in the coming days.
Following Thursday’s defeat, Nootbaar spoke with reporters at his locker while still dressed in his Cardinals uniform. He had remained on the field for a few extra moments after striking out to end the game before finally making his way back toward the clubhouse.
“Unfortunately, I was the last out of the game and sat there for a little bit,” Nootbaar said. “I was more so just upset with how my day went, personally. Couldn’t help these guys pull out that game. I took that game personally and then sat there and kind of thought. If it is, it’s been great — but I don’t expect anything to happen.”
Nootbaar’s reflection appeared to be about more than just the possibility of being traded. He was also disappointed in his own performance and what he felt was his contribution to the loss.
The outfielder has spent years wearing the Cardinals uniform and has developed into a popular figure among St. Louis fans. With his future now the subject of trade speculation, he acknowledged how much the organization means to him.
“Right now, I’m fortunate enough to be wearing the birds on the bat, and I have been for a while,” Nootbaar said. “So it’s been awesome. I wish it was on better terms [that] I was sitting on the bench, soaking it in.”
Nootbaar Takes Responsibility for Costly Mistake
One particular play appeared to weigh heavily on Nootbaar.
In the fourth inning, he caught an Ian Happ fly ball near the right-field wall for what he believed was the third out. However, it was actually the second out. His delayed throw then sailed past the cutoff man, allowing Alex Bregman to score from second and giving Chicago a run that tied the game.
Although starter Andre Pallante was officially charged with the earned run, Nootbaar immediately accepted responsibility for the mistake.
“One hundred percent,” Nootbaar said. “I take accountability on that one. Unacceptable. Obviously, being one of the veterans on this team, a young team like that, it’s unacceptable, from my standpoint. Just compound it with, you know, lazy throw. It just isn’t right. I told the guys that I take full responsibility for this loss.”
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol, however, was unwilling to let Nootbaar shoulder all the blame.
“He made a mistake,” Marmol said. “This is one of the most prepared guys in that clubhouse. So he’s in my office right now and he’s hating it. He feels like this is on him, but it’s not, man. You’re going to make mistakes from time to time.”
Marmol also emphasized that Nootbaar remains one of the team’s leaders when it comes to preparation and attention to detail.
“This is a guy that, when it comes to preparation and being on point and attention to detail, he’s a leader in there,” Marmol added. “So it was unfortunate, but no one’s going to wear it or hold themselves accountable more than he is.”
Nootbaar Still Preparing to Remain With Cardinals
St. Louis also had to navigate a key lineup decision in the 10th inning. Iván Herrera, who delivered the walk-off heroics the previous night, was no longer available after being replaced by Nelson Velázquez as a pinch-runner in the eighth. Pedro Pagés subsequently took over behind the plate.
Marmol explained that the move was designed to improve the Cardinals’ speed while also giving the team a defensive advantage with Riley O’Brien on the mound.
When Jimmy Crooks later came to the plate as a pinch-hitter in the 10th, he flew out, leaving Nootbaar as the Cardinals’ final opportunity to extend the game.
Nootbaar struck out, ending the contest and leaving open the possibility that his final at-bat at Busch Stadium in a Cardinals uniform may have already occurred.
Despite the growing speculation surrounding his future, Nootbaar is not behaving as though a trade is imminent.
Instead, he said he packed for the team’s upcoming road trip as if he fully expects to remain with his teammates.
“I packed a six-day suitcase,” Nootbaar said with a smile. “I love this team. I can’t control any of that noise. I can’t preach ‘day to day’ and pack an extra suitcase and expect anything differently.”
Nootbaar added that regardless of what happens at the deadline, he intends to approach the trip normally.
“So if whatever happens, happens,” he said. “But, like I said, I’m taking this trip like another six-day road trip, expecting to come back with these guys. Hopefully get a couple series wins.”
For now, Nootbaar remains a Cardinal. But with the trade deadline approaching, the next few days could determine whether the popular outfielder continues wearing the birds on the bat or begins the next chapter of his career elsewhere.
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