Many analysts predicted the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals would be out of contention by the dog days of summer. That scenario may still unfold, but for now, the only sounds coming from the Cardinals’ dugout are joyful barks after home runs and victories. Friday’s 6-0 shutout of the San Diego Padres marked St. Louis’ ninth win in 11 games, and the team will try to keep rolling in the third game of the four-game series on Saturday.
The Cardinals took the opener 2-1 on Thursday, then rode a one-hit performance from starter Michael McGreevy and two relievers to Friday’s win. This young roster—one of the youngest in the majors—has found creative ways to celebrate, turning the phrase “got that dawg in me” into a dugout ritual. Rookie outfielder Nathan Church started barking after a series win in March, and now teammates bark for home runs and present long-ball hitters with a fake gold chain.
“We’ve got a bunch of young guys trying to prove themselves in this game, and we’re trying to pull on the same string and win as many games as we can,” Church said.
The approach is working. St. Louis has won six straight road games and owns series wins against teams including the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Catcher Ivan Herrera, who had four hits Friday night, added: “I feel like we’re having fun with everything we’re doing, and that’s really a big key for us this season.”
Right-hander Dustin May (3-3, 5.15 ERA) will try to continue the dominant mound work from his teammates. After Matthew Liberatore and McGreevy allowed just four hits over 12 innings in the first two games, May aims to bounce back from a 4-1 loss to the Dodgers last Sunday. Facing his former team for the first time, May allowed seven hits and three runs over six innings with two walks and three strikeouts. He is 2-4 with a 3.80 ERA in 13 career games (10 starts) against San Diego.
The Padres counter with right-hander Randy Vasquez (3-1, 3.20 ERA), who is coming off a 3-2 loss to the Giants on Monday in San Francisco. Vasquez gave up three runs on five hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings, striking out two. He is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in three career starts against St. Louis. Despite that loss, Vasquez is on pace for his best season in four MLB years.
“Getting into that rhythm, ever since the work I put in spring training, it’s worked in my favor,” he said through an interpreter. “I think I’ve established a good rhythm so far.”
Given San Diego’s weak offensive showing in the series—just five hits, none for extra bases, and no runs since the first inning of Thursday’s 2-1 loss—Vasquez may need a shutout to earn a win. Friday’s loss was the Padres’ seventh in their last 10 games, but center fielder Jackson Merrill believes the slump will end soon.
“Every team goes through it,” he said. “You’ve seen us do it. We know it’s in there. I think it’s just a matter of time.”
