Since coming off the IL in late June, Willson Contreras has shown that he is exactly what the St. Louis Cardinals offense needs. The catcher is key to the team’s success in the second half.
Cardinals Catcher Is Key To Their Success
Offensive Spark Plug
Contreras has been successful since returning from a broken arm on June 24. He is slashing .257/.409/.457 with four home runs and 12 RBI in 20 games.
The Cardinals are flush with left-handed bats. The balance for them is supposed to be the All-Star quality right-handed bats of Contreras, Paul Goldschmidt, and Nolan Arenado. Both of the latter of that trio have struggled this season, and Contreras providing a threat from the right side of the plate in the heart of the order makes the offense more of a challenge for opposing pitching staffs.
“That’s what we were missing while he was gone, was a big right-handed bat,” said Cardinal’s manager Oliver Marmol after a July 7 win over the Washington Nationals in which Contreras had a home run and three RBI. “He was doing a nice job before getting hurt. Having him back, he’s starting to find his timing, and we’re seeing the result of it. This is a guy that takes a tough at-bat and hits the ball hard.”
Against righties, the Cardinals have the sixth-highest batting average in the MLB at .252. Against lefties, they have the second-worst at .223. Contreras is batting .290 this season against left-handed pitchers.
Emotional Spark Plug
Down 5-0 after the first three innings against the Nationals on July 5, the Cardinals likely would have been done with the offense of the first two months of the season. This version of the Cardinals rallied and won the game 7-6 in 11 innings. Contreras finally brought the team even in the 9th inning with a solo home run to make it 5-5.
WILLSON CONTRERAS TIES IT IN THE 9TH!!! pic.twitter.com/DEX9Rc0Vdc
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 6, 2024
Contreras rounded the bases in a symphony of energy. He thumped his chest, pumped up his teammates as he passed his dugout, and raised his hand to his ear to hear the boos of the home Washington crowd. His energy propelled the team to the extra-inning victory.
“He plays with a lot of emotion, and I love it,” Marmol said after the game. “He’s one of the best competitors that we have. He gets after it. That was a big moment for him and for us.”
Still Banged Up
Early in July, Contreras was hit in the hand with a pitch. He has been playing through some pain in the past few weeks but has still succeeded.
“It’s getting there,” Contreras said on July 6th. “I don’t feel great at home plate. I’m grinding. I’m a rhythm guy, but I know I’m going to get there. Being honest, I’m grinding.”
Before breaking his arm in May, Contreras was one of the Cardinals most consistent hitters. The Cardinals expect him to continue to improve as he gets healthier.
“When you miss that much time, you just try to get the feel for pitch recognition and controlling the strike zone and only swinging when you can do damage,” Marmol said. “This is a guy who does exactly that. We’re starting to see him get closer and closer to being able to do that.”
Pages Wins Backup Catcher Spot
When Contreras returned, his backup from the beginning of the season, Ivan Herrera, was on the IL. When he returned from injury on July 12, the Cardinals optioned him to Memphis in favor of keeping Pedro Pages as a backup for Contreras.
John Denton of MLB.com reported that Pages will catch, and Contreras will DH against left-handed pitching. Meanwhile, Contreras will see, and outfielder Alec Burleson will play DH against righties.
#STLCards said C Iván Herrera was optioned because the club is in no position to carry three catchers.
Against right-handed pitching, they want Willson Contreras behind the plate and Alec Burleson at DH. Versus LHP, Contreras will DH and Pedro Pagès will catch.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) July 12, 2024
“He’s done an incredible job. He’s earned the right to stay here and back up Willson (Contreras),” Marmol told Denton about the decision to keep Pages as the backup.
Pages has not been exceptional as a batter, with a .207 batting average. However, the club has been pleased with his game-calling and defense.
Main Photo Credits: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
