4:37 AM UTC
Stone. LOUIS — Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol came close minutes before his first pitch earlier this week when Yadier Molina was scheduled to rest for the night the veteran as if he was giving him a scouting report to use against the hitters.
However, this time, Malmore has more information Motivation rather than tactics.
Molina is going through the worst uninjured skid of the season For one, the rookie manager wants his seasoned catcher to know that he still has confidence in him, and things have gotten bigger over time.
Like clockwork, the calendar flips from August to September, 40 The 19-year-old Molina appears to have found new energy to complete the final season of his 19-year career. Molina had two more hits Saturday, including a clearing 3-run double, to break the Cardinals’ 8-4 win over the Cubs after two hits on Friday. The crowd at Busch Stadium was still chanting, “Yadi! Yady! Yady!” After arguably his biggest success of the season, Molina went on to steal a third, tag and score and set off another buzz cheer.
“That’s my wording – I bet on him in September, “Malmore said of his motivational speech to Molina. “He knows what’s dangerous. He smells it. And I would never bet against Yadi in a high-stakes environment.
“There’s the intensity that just September brings, he’s been through it so many times, and he knows it’s his last. You’d be foolish to bet against him. “
Molina’s firm confidence says Malmo put him on him It meant the world to him at the time, especially when he was struggling with a 0-for-21 skid.
“The confidence he brings to the players is amazing,” Molina said.
In addition to his work on the plate, Molina helped Adam Wainwright and himself to the cliff of history. Saturday’s game was their 323rd as battery teammates , which puts them just one start away from tying the MLB record set by Mickey Lolich and the Tigers’ Bill Freehan. If all goes well, Molina and Wainwright will be the most durable in history against the Nationals on Thursday. Battery. With 212 team starting wins, Wainwright and Molina are already the most successful battery in history.
Wainwright clinched his 10th win, putting him in double digits in 12 seasons, second only to Bob Gibson’s in franchise history 14 victories. However, the night was no easy feat for Wainwright, who had three wins in the opening innings and was lifted five innings – a decision that upset him. It was Molina who suggested that the struggling 41-year-old pitcher be fired for lack of command.
“I think Yadier told them, ‘Get this guy out of there, ’cause he stinks today,'” said Wainwright, who scored 4 on 9 hits. “I know my What the stuff looks like, but it would be better if I advertised here or there. It’s not great, I understand [being pulled], but I want them to know that I can go again. I could and should have gone to six, but we won the game. If you’ve won a game with a pitcher looking like that on the mound, you’ve done something. “
Molina later said, close to MLB among teammates The best thing about the starter’s record is that he’s doing it with a player he considers a ‘brother’. This close bond allows them to be honest with each other – even if the other doesn’t necessarily like what he hears .
“Don’t talk to me about Waino today because he’s mad at me, Molina said, before laughing. “I’m being honest [with Wainwright’s coach], he didn’t like it, but we had to turn the page. He knows I love him, but I will always be honest with him and the team. When you’re not at your best and you still play five innings, it’s great, it tells you how good he is. ”
A day off for Molina on Sunday, later Saturday At that time, he realized that he might have played his last game with the Cubs. If it was the last, Molina would hit .285 in 247 games with the Cardinals’ biggest opponent, hitting 48 doubles, 18 Home runs, 118 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.
“19 It’s been a lot of fun with the Cubs over the years,” Molina said. “They’ve had some good teams and some bad teams. But it’s fun. ”
