Phillies Beat Cardinals, Andrew Painter Sets the Tone Early
ST. LOUIS — The Phillies escaped Busch Stadium with a 6-5 win over the Cardinals on Monday night. It's early in the schedule, but this one had the feel of a team building momentum.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, continue to be maddeningly inconsistent. St. Louis has now dropped two of its last three, unable to string together the kind of sustained stretch that separates contenders from pretenders this early in the year. A team that beat Colorado twice and took down the Yankees just days ago now finds itself searching for answers after falling to Philadelphia.
How It Unfolded
Andrew Painter was the story on the mound for Philadelphia, turning in the best performance of the night by any measure. The 23-year-old right-hander posted 30.3 fantasy points, anchoring a Phillies pitching staff that needed every bit of that effort against a Cardinals lineup that never stopped scratching. Painter set the tone early, and the Phillies' offense made sure his work wasn't wasted.
Kyle Schwarber did what Kyle Schwarber does, delivering 26.0 fantasy points in the middle of the lineup. The 33-year-old designated hitter has been a steadying presence for Philadelphia, and Monday was no exception. Edmundo Sosa matched him with 26.0 fantasy points of his own out of left field, giving the Phillies two middle-of-the-order threats that St. Louis simply couldn't fully contain. Brandon Marsh chipped in 13.5 fantasy points, and Bryson Stott added 12.5, rounding out a lineup that produced offense from top to bottom.
But this game belonged to José Fermín. The Cardinals left fielder was named Game MVP after piling up 30.5 fantasy points, the best individual mark on either roster. Fermín gave St. Louis a chance in this one, driving a strong offensive night for the Cardinals. It simply wasn't enough.
Alec Burleson was right there with him, posting 29.5 fantasy points at first base in a game where the Cardinals' offense actually did plenty right. Hunter Dobbins started for St. Louis and held his own, logging 26.5 fantasy points, but it was ultimately a one-run game. Iván Herrera added 23.0 fantasy points at designated hitter, giving the Cardinals four players north of 20 fantasy points. On most nights, that kind of production wins ballgames. Monday, it came up one run short.
What Went Wrong for St. Louis
The frustrating part for Cardinals fans is that the offense showed up. Fermín, Burleson, and Herrera combined for over 80 fantasy points among them, and Dobbins gave the team a quality start from the mound. St. Louis just couldn't find the extra run it needed against a Phillies team playing with confidence. The bullpen work from Luis Gastelum (15.8 fantasy points) and Justin Bruihl (6.5) kept it competitive, but competitive wasn't enough against a Philadelphia lineup that had answers all night.
What This Means Going Forward
For Philadelphia, Painter looks like a foundational piece for a rotation still finding its footing, and this result could be the kind of confidence booster that carries into the next series.
For St. Louis, the concern isn't talent. Fermín, Burleson, and Herrera all showed they can carry a lineup on a given night. The concern is finishing. Two losses in three games is the kind of pattern the Cardinals need to break before it becomes a habit this early in the year.
Fantasy managers rostering Fermín and Painter saw exactly the kind of week-defining outputs JockBroker users look for when building their lineups.
