2015 St. Louis Cardinals
National League Central champions
League	National League
Division	Central
Ballpark	Busch Stadium
City	St. Louis,Missouri
Record	100–62 (.617)
Divisional place	1st
Owners	William DeWitt, Jr. Fred Hanser
General managers	John Mozeliak
Managers	Mike Matheny
Television	Fox Sports Midwest (Dan McLaughlin,Al Hrabosky,Rick Horton,Tim McCarver,Jim Hayes)
Radio	KMOX (1120AM) St. Louis Cardinals Radio Network (Mike Shannon,John Rooney,Al Hrabosky,Rick Horton, Mike Claiborne)
Stats	ESPN.com Baseball Reference
← 2014 Seasons 2016 →

TheSt. Louis Cardinals2015 season was the134th for theMajor League Baseball (MLB)franchise inSt. Louis,Missouri, the 124th season in theNational League, and the 10th atBusch Stadium III. They entered the 2015 season as two-time defendingNational League Central champions and having made four consecutiveNLCS appearances.

The Cardinals' 2014–15 offseason began tragically with thedeath of rookieoutfielderOscar Taveras in atraffic collision on October 26. On November 17, they acquiredright fielderJason Heyward andpitcherJordan Walden from theAtlanta Braves in a blockbustertrade for pitchersShelby Miller andTyrell Jenkins. The Cardinals inductedCurt Flood,Bob Forsch,George Kissell andTed Simmons into the franchiseHall of Fame.Forbes valued the Cardinals at $1.2 billion in 2015, ranking them 27th out of all sports franchises in the world, and the sixth-highest in all MLB.

By winning 22 of their first 29 games of the season, the Cardinals secured their best start since1887, and became the first major league team of the year to reach 50 wins, the fastest since theChicago White Sox in2005. OutfielderMatt Holliday set a newNational League record by reaching base in his first 45 games of the season. In June, reports surfaced that theFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were investigating an incident involving the Cardinalshacking into theHouston Astros'computer networks, the first known such case ofcorporateespionage inprofessional sports.

By winning their 100th game on September 30, the Cardinals clinched their third consecutive division title. It was the first time since 2005 they had won at least 100 games in a season, and they became the first team to do so since the2011 Phillies. However, they lost to theChicago Cubs in theNLDS in four games, ending their streak of four straight NLCS appearances.

The St. Louis Cardinals ended their2014 regularseason as theNational League Central division champions with a 90–72won–loss record, their second consecutive Central division title and ninth overall.^[1] They finished sixth in the league inbatting average (.253), fifteenth (last) inhome runs (105), and ninth inruns scored (619). They also ranked seventh inearned run average (3.50).^[2]

St. Louis finished two games ahead of therunner-upPittsburgh Pirates, who qualified for theWild Card Game.^[3] In theNational League Division Series (NLDS), the Cardinals defeated theLos Angeles Dodgers, three games to one.^[4] They surrendered theNational League Championship Series (NLCS) in five games to theSan Francisco Giants,^[5] the eventualWorld Serieschampions.^[6] Despite the NLCS defeat, the Cardinals already had four consecutiveLCS appearances, the first team to do so since theNew York Yankees from1998–2001 in theAmerican League Championship Series. Since2000, it was their ninthNLCS appearance.^[7]

However,tragedy launched Major League Baseball's 2014–15 off-season when Cardinals rookieright fielderOscar Taveras waskilled in acar accident in theDominican Republic on October 26, 2014. It was 10 days after the conclusion of the NLCS,^[8][9] and moments before thefirst pitch of Game 5 of the World Series.^[10] Reports confirmedalcohol intoxication on Taveras' part,^[11] making it the secondalcohol-related fatality of a Cardinals player in a car accident sincepitcherJosh Hancock in2007.General managerJohn Mozeliak lamented the circumstances of both players' deaths, amplifying that the team would take a greater role in instructing young players "to avoid reckless actions."^[12]

Just 22 years old, Taveras was an immensely popularathlete and heraldedprospect withfans, aroundMajor League Baseball, and in his native Dominican Republic.^{[10][13][14][15][16]} On October 28, the Cardinals left the right field lights on atBusch Stadium^[17] and released aTwitter photo of the scene the next day.^[18] The following January, CardinalschairmanWilliam DeWitt, Jr., announced plans for the team to renovate abaseball field in Taveras' hometown ofSosúa in his honor, and that the team would also wear black circular patches inscribed with the initials "OT" inside a white circle on their jerseys for the 2015 season. Further, a largedecal was posted in his memorial on the wall of the home teambullpen of Busch Stadium along with those of Hancock andDarryl Kile, another pitcher who died during the2002 season while still active as a player.^[12]

Bench coachMike Aldrete vacated the Cardinals on October 27 for the same avocation with theOakland Athletics.^[19] The day after the World Series ended, October 30,Mark Ellis,Justin Masterson,Jason Motte,Pat Neshek, andA. J. Pierzynski all filed forfree agency.^[20] Four of the five players in the group signed with different teams in the 2014–15 off-season.^{[21][22][23][24]} Only Motte, a formercloser, had played for the Cardinals prior to 2014. He acceded a one-yearcontract with theChicago Cubs.^[22] The only free agent who did not endorse with another club was Ellis, who announced his retirement as a player on February 26, 2015.^[25]

The Cardinals picked up the 2015option onstarting pitcherJohn Lackey's contract on October 30, equivalent to theminimum salary of $507,000 ($673,410.6 today), an unusually low number on for a veteran of his achievement level and competitiveness.^[26] Acquired from theBoston Red Sox at thetrade deadline in2014,^[27][28] he signed his current contract as a free agent before the2010 season. The Red Sox inserted aprovision in the contract that, in lieu of payinginsurance in case he missed any season due to anelbow injury, the club could choose to pick up an option in2015 for the league minimum salary. At that time, the Red Soxmedical staff demonstrated concern that Lackey's elbow was found not to be fully sound during aphysical examination. When he missed the2012 season due toTommy John surgery, the league-minimum option for 2015 was actuated.^[29][30] The Cardinals added performance bonuses before the start of the season.^[31]

Jason Heyward and Shelby Miller headlined a trade with the Atlanta Braves before the start of the 2015 season.

TheHouston Astros appointed longtimescout Charlie González as a special assistant on November 1.^[32] Two days later, the Cardinals signed assistant hittingcoachDavid Bell to a two-year contract to replace Aldrete as bench coach.^[33] To fill the position Bell vacated, the Cardinals hired former Cubs hitting coachBill Mueller as assistant hitting coach on November 17.^[34]

With a void in right field that emerged following the death of Taveras, the Cardinals settled a surprising blockbustertrade with theAtlanta Braves on November 17. St. Louis arrogated formerBaseball AmericaMinor League Player of the YearJason Heyward andrelief pitcherJordan Walden in exchange forstarting pitcherShelby Miller and relieverTyrell Jenkins.^[35] For the second time in the 2014–15 off-season, the Athletics drew from the Cardinals' staff, hiringdirector of scouting Dan Kantrovitz to be assistant general manager on November 24.^[36] To replace Kantrovitz, director of baseball development Chris Correa was promoted to director of scouting on December 2.^[37] One week later, theMissouri Sports Hall of Fame announced formeraceChris Carpenter as an inductee in their 2015 class.^[38]

The Cardinals signed free agents relief pitcherMatt Belisle (December 2), from theColorado Rockies,^[39] andfirst basemanMark Reynolds (December 11) from theMilwaukee Brewers.^[40] They initially imported veteran relieverCarlos Villanueva on aminor league deal in February,^[41] but selected him for the major leagueroster out ofspring training.^[42]

In March 2015,Forbes appraised the Cardinals' outright value at $1.4 billion,^[43] making them the 27th-most valuable sports franchise in the world,^[44] and sixth-principalfranchise in Major League Baseball (MLB).^[43] It was an increase from an $800 million pricing and eighth in the echelon in2014.^[45] Their revenue was $294 million while their operating income was $73.6 million,^[43] and their overall assessment was approximately $200 million higher than the MLB average of $1.2 billion. Mike Ozanian ofForbes remarked that the Cardinals were "baseball's biggest anamoly", with outsize value outpacing their status as one of baseball's "smallestmarkets", and the recently openedBallpark Village – adjacent toBusch Stadium – was a popular destination fordining andentertainment. The Cardinals' localtelevisionratings (7.76) graded the highest among allmajor league teams.^[46]

For the first time in his career, 23-year-oldCarlos Martínez made the Cardinals starting rotation, earning the fifth starter spot out of spring training.^[68] Participating in the first-evernight gameOpening Day to commence an MLB season, the Cardinals faced off against theChicago Cubs on April 5, partners in an historic sportsrivalry. Also dubbed "Opening Night",Adam Wainwright made his fourth career Opening Day start. St. Louis, in turn, made team history as they won 3–0.^[69] Their fourstolen bases (SB) set a team record for Opening Day, andYadier Molina became the firstcatcher in club history with 11 consecutive Opening Day starts.^[70]Right fielderJason Heyward debuted for the Cardinals in this game, garnering three hits, including two doubles, and a stolen base.^[71]Left fielderMatt Holliday opened the season with a 12-game hitting streak. His 12th game was also his first four-hit performance of the season.^[72]

From April 12–19,third basemanMatt Carpenter netted seven consecutive games with at least two hits and onedouble, tyingRipper Collins for the franchise record he set in1935.^[74] That same streak was also the longest in the Major Leagues sincePaul Molitor achieve the same as a member of theBrewers in1991. Carpenter alsobatted .480 with an .880slugging percentage (SLG), seven doubles, onehome run (HR), fiveruns batted in (RBI) and an-NL leading 22 total bases. MLB subsequently named him to his first NLPlayer of the Week Award for that period.^[75]

Making his 99th career start on April 15, starter Lance Lynn earned his 50th career win in a 4–2 victory overMilwaukee. It was his 13th win in the month of April since 2012, the highest total in MLB.^[76]Setup manKevin Siegrist earned his first major leaguesave by pitching the last two innings of a 6−1 win against the Reds on April 17.^[77] Heyward hit his first home run as a Cardinal on April 18 against theCincinnati Reds atBusch Stadium.^[78]

The club placed OFPeter Bourjos on three-day paternity leave on April 21, replacing him on the 25-man roster with RHPMitch Harris. Harris was the firstUnited States Naval Academy graduate to be called up to the majors since pitcherNemo Gaines of theWashington Senators in1921.^[79] On April 25, Harris made his major-league debut, substituting for Wainwright in a game against Milwaukee after he suffered an ankle injury, and struck out his first batter,Adam Lind. CatcherCody Stanley, who replaced Wainwright on the 25-man roster,^[80] got a hit in his first major league at bat.^[81] The Cardinals announced that Wainwright had anAchilles tendon rupture and would likely miss the remainder of the season.^[82]

Left-handed pitcher (LHP)Tim Cooney took Wainwright's next spot in the rotation.^[83] It was his major league debut, but was a disappointment, going only2+1⁄3 innings and giving up seven hits and a walk. The following day, the Cardinals called up RHPMiguel Socolovich and sent down Cooney.^[84] To make room on the 40-man roster, OFTommy Pham was moved to the 60-day disabled list. Through his first four starts of the season, Martínez' ERA was 1.89.^[85] Through the month of April, Holliday maintained an MLB-best .500 OBP.^[86]

The month of May increased the trend of unique and rare achievements for the Cardinals, both affirmative and dubious. In the May 1–3 series at home against thePittsburgh Pirates, the Cardinals swept by winning each game inextra innings. In the last game of that series,Kolten Wong hit his second career regular-seasonwalk-off home run; his first also occurred against the Pirates. St. Louis became the first team since1925 to sweep by winning each game in extra innings when theCincinnati Reds did so against theBoston Braves from June 4–7.^[87] Of course, because the games were atBusch Stadium, St. Louis each won in walk-off fashion:first basemanMatt Adams with a bases-loaded single in the first game,^[88] and Carpenter with asacrifice fly in the second.^[89]

Miguel Socolovich made his Cardinals debut on May 3 against the Reds, completing one inning with a strikeout and no hits or walks.^[90]Setup manJordan Walden went on the DL on May 3 because of abiceps injury, and it changedmanagerMike Matheny'sbullpen strategy by using his most capable relief pitchers more, includingcloserTrevor Rosenthal, setup manMatt Belisle andmiddle relieverSeth Maness. Each were either injured or because less effective later in the season.Kevin Siegrist, who originally filled the seventh inning, moved to the eight-inning setup role, leaving a hollow in the seventh inning.^[91]

The Cardinals defeated the Cubs on May 4 for their seventh straight win, making their record on the season an MLB-best 19–6. It was their best start after 25 games since at least 1900.^[90] In that contest,Mark Reynolds hit his fourth careergrand slam in the 10–9 score.^[92] Despite getting a no-decision, Martínez allowed seven of the nine runs in this game.^[93] In the next game, also against the Cubs, Reynolds' pinch-hit double drove in the go-ahead runs as the Cardinals were victorious, 7–4.^[94]

The Cardinals called LHPTyler Lyons up from Memphis to take Wainwright's next turn in the rotation on May 5. Lyons completed4+1⁄3 innings with seven strikeouts, two walks, six hits, and four runs (three earned). In7+2⁄3 IP against the Cubs on May 7, RHPJohn Lackey struck out 10. He also drove in his third career run with a double, his third careerextra base hit in a 5–1 win.^[95]

Four new members of theSt. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum were announced on May 5, includingCurt Flood,Bob Forsch,George Kissell andTed Simmons. In 12 seasons with St. Louis, center fielder Flood won sevenGold Gloves, was a three-timeAll-Star, and a member of the1964 and1967championship clubs. However, Flood is best known for challenging thereserve clause, which in spite of theUnited States Supreme Courtruling in MLB's favor, eventually led tofree agency. Forsch, the only pitcher in franchise history to throw twono-hitters, ranked third with 163 wins and second with 401 starts. Kissell spent 65 years in the Cardinals organization as aminor league player,manager,scout and instructor. Simmons, a catcher, played 13 years in St. Louis, was a six-time All-Star, and set the National League record for hits (188) by a catcher in1975. He batted .298 with 172 HR and 929 RBI as Cardinal.^[96]

In the next series against the Pirates on May 9, Martínez continued to struggle as he allowed 14 runs on 16 hits and 11 walks including the previous two starts totaling nine innings. His ERA jumped from 1.89 from before the previous start against the Cubs to 4.73 after the start against the Pirates.^[85] The next day, the Cardinals fell victim to the first "4–5–4"triple play (where the second baseman records the out, throws to the third baseman, who records a second out, and finally back to the second baseman, who records a third and final out of the inning, all in one play) in MLB history. In this play, Molina lined out to Pittsburgh second basemanNeil Walker, who threw tothird basemanJung-ho Kang to double upJhonny Peralta for the second out. Kang briefly pirouetted the ball in his hand, albeit confused, then threw back to Walker to tagJason Heyward for the final out.^[97]

ReigningAmerican LeagueCy Young Award winnerCorey Kluber of theCleveland Indians struck out 18 Cardinals on May 13, setting a record for a Cardinal opponent and tyingBob Feller for the Indians' nine-inning franchise record in Cleveland's 2–0 win.^[98] After striking out five times on May 18, Grichuk followed up with two doubles and a triple the next night against theNew York Mets as the Cardinals prevailed 10–2.^[99] A 3–1 victory over theDetroit Tigers on May 17 gaveMike Matheny his 300th win asmanager.^[100]Jaime García, reactivated from the 60-day disabled list for a start against the Mets on May 21, made his first MLB appearance in nearly one year. He completed seven innings but received the loss, allowing five hits, two runs (both earned), five walks, and striking out three.

The Cardinals won each ofMichael Wacha's first nine starts while he received the win in seven of them. That ninth game spanned through May 24 against theKansas City Royals. His ERA was 1.87. Wacha was the first Cardinal pitcher to start with a 7–0 record sinceMatt Morris started 8–0 in2005.^[101] Matt Carpenter homered for his 500th career hit and 300th career run scored.^[102] On May 25,Jhonny Peralta hit a walk-off home run in the tenth inning against theArizona Diamondbacks, his seventh home run of the season.^[103] García's first win in nearly a year was on May 26 against the Diamondbacks, in which worked six innings in a 6–4 victory.^[104]

Holliday reached base each of his first 43 games of the season through May 27 against the Diamondbacks, breakingAlbert Pujols' franchise and National League records, which he set in2008. Holliday had also reached base in 45 consecutive games dating back to 2014, which was 10 short ofStan Musial's overall franchise record, and 29 short ofTed Williams' MLB record.^[105][106] Heyward's home run in the ninth inning that game tied the game at 3–3, and the Cardinals eventually won, 4–3.^[107] IFMatt Adams was placed on the 15-day disabled list May 28 with a torn right quadriceps and replaced on the 25-man roster with CEd Easley. He had surgery May 29 and was expected to miss three to four months, effectively the rest of the season.^[108]

On May 31, the Cardinals paid an official tribute to the deceasedOscar Taveras, who debuted for them in the major leagues exactly one year earlier. They played theLos Angeles Dodgers that day. Martínez, the Cardinals starting pitcher and close of friend of Taveras, struck out eight and extended a personal scoreless inning streak to20+1⁄3 innings as St. Louis prevailed, 3–1.^[109] It was the longest scoreless-inning streak in the NL for a starting pitcher through that point in the season.^[110]

Through their first 50 games and two of the months of the season, the Cardinals were an MLB-best 33–17 (.660winning percentage), including 20–6 at home. They produced the best run differential at plus-60 and were the only team with a staff ERA lower than 3.00, at 2.73. The bullpen had a 2.21 ERA. The offense produced a seventh-best .737on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).^[111]

In his third start of the season on June 1 against theMilwaukee Brewers, García logged seven innings, while allowing one run and striking out four with less than 90 pitches. However, he ended up with a 1–0 loss, bringing his record for the season to 1–2 with a 2.70 ERA.^[112] In his time with the Cardinals through June 1, Peralta ranked first in extra-base hits (80) and home runs (29), third in RBI (101), second in slugging percentage (.461) and OPS (.804) and fourth in on-base percentage (.361) among MLB shortstops. On defense, although he did not rely on heavily on range, but on smart positioning and making the routine plays, qualifying him for +1 defensive runs saved after saving 17 the year before.^[113] Holliday's National League-record on-base streak to start the season ended at 45 games – 47 overall – on June 2 against the Brewers in a 1–0 win.UmpireJoe Westejected him for arguing a called third strike in the seventh inning, and also ejectedmanagerMike Matheny, who had joined the argument.^[114] It was the longest such streak in the major leagues sinceDerek Jeter garnered 53 in1999.^[115]

Martínez' next start, also against the Dodgers, came on June 5. Over seven innings, he gave up just one run on three hits and struck out 11, a new career high, in a 2–1 victory. By giving up the run in the second inning, the scoreless inning streak stopped at21+2⁄3, also a career-high.^[116] On June 8, Holliday suffered a rightquadricepsstrain while attempting to catch a fly ball off the bat ofCarlos González during a game against theColorado Rockies. The Cardinals placed Holliday on the 15-day DL, and recalled Socolovich to take his place on the roster. At the time, Holliday was batting .303 with three HR and 26 RBI,^[117] and was third overall in the NL All-Star balloting. He was second among outfielders toBryce Harper of theWashington Nationals, which would translate as a spot as a starting outfielder in the All-Star Game if that placement held for the final vote tally.^[118] In theMLB draft, the Cardinals selected outfielderNick Plummer with the 23rd overall and team's number-one pick fromBrother Rice High School inMichigan.^[119] In a June 12 start against the Royals, Jaime García netted his 500th career strikeout by gettingOmar Infante as the Cardinals won 4–0. It was García's 102nd career start; he had also not issued a walk in his first 30 IP of the season.^[120]

Lyons, whom the Cardinals recalled from Memphis to take the place of an injuredLance Lynn on June 13, stopped a winless streak of 13 MLB starts by pitching a 3–2 victory over the Royals. He struck out five in six innings.CloserTrevor Rosenthal strung together a17+2⁄3 scoreless inning streak while saving his NL-leading 21st game of the season.^[121] The Cardinals' first back-to-back home runs of the season occurred on June 15 against the Twins, which Molina and Reynolds accomplished. It was Molina's first home run of the season and first in 95 games, dating back to June 27, 2014. The Cardinals' previous back-to-back home runs occurred when Holliday and Grichuk delivered against theReds on September 19, 2014.^[122]

Reports surfaced on June 16 that theFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were reviewing an alleged incident involving Cardinals' front office officialshacking into theHouston Astros' database of players, scouting reports and proprietary statistics. It was regarded as the first known case ofcorporateespionage involvingcomputer network hacking inprofessional sports.^[123]

In his first major league action of 2015, second basemanGreg Garcia collected two hits in 12–4 win over thePhiladelphia Phillies on June 19.^[124] Molina, Wong and Grichuk all homered as Lyons earned his second win of the season. At the plate, Lyons collected both his first major league run batted in and base on balls and while hitting two singles. He reached base and scored in all threeplate appearances.^[125] Garcia and IFXavier Scruggs had been called up from Memphis on June 19 in preparation for the series against the Phillies, with Harris and Easley optioned back to the AAA club.^[126] The Cardinals were also victorious the next game by a 10–1 score. Grichuk followed with a two more home runs and his second consecutive three-hit game. Heyward also contributed three hits and two RBI. Lackey, the Cardinals' starting pitcher, completed seven innings, for the fourth time in five starts. He improved his record to 6–4 with a 3.41 ERA.^[127]

Scruggs provided three hits and two RBI, Heyward hit his eighth home run, and Reynolds drove in the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded infield single on June 23 against theMiami Marlins in a 4–3 win.^[128] The Cardinals activated Lynn from the DL the next day prior to the series finale against the Marlins.^[129] Heyward homered again the next game, and Wong hit his ninth HR as García improved to 3–3 in a 6–1 victory and series win over the Marlins.^[130] The Cardinals optioned Lyons back to Memphis to make room on the roster for Lynn,^[131] who started the next game against the Marlins, pitching six scoreless innings in a 5–1 victory and series sweep. Wong's RBI double broke a scoreless tie and put the Cardinals ahead for good.Pete Kozma, filling in for Peralta at shortstop, scored on that double had three hits and reached base in four plate appearances,^[132] snapping an 0–21 streak that dated back to May 19.^[133]

Greg Garcia's first major league home was on June 26 in the eighth inning againstPedro Strop of the Cubs, tying the score in an eventual 4–3 Cardinals win, where they walked off when Bourjos scored on an error in the 10th inning. The Cardinals improved to an MLB-best 27–7 at home.^[134]

The Cardinals won their fifth straight game on June 27 by a score of 8–1, also at home against the Cubs, extending their major league-best record to 50–24. Scruggs provided another three-hit night as all nine starters collected at least one hit. Wacha improved to 10–3 andCarlos Villanueva pitched the last three innings for his first save of the season and fourth career with three or more innings pitched. Each of the second, third and fourth innings with the Cubs batting ended with a double play.^[135]

The Cardinals became the first club of the season to reach 50 wins and the fastest to win 50 since theChicago White Sox in2005. In the last 50 years, the 2015 Cardinals were just the 18th club to reach 50 wins before losing their 25th game, of which, 13 went on to win 100 or more games and only two missed the playoffs. The only other time in Cardinals' history with such a start or better occurred in1944 (52–21–2), a season that concluded with 105 regular-season wins and theWorld Series title. The 2015 club held the major leagues' best run-differential at +95, and their staff ERA (2.63) was the lowest through 74 games in a season since theBaltimore Orioles in1972 (2.31).^[136]

Winning again against the Cubs on June 28, the Cardinals swept as Martínez won his ninth decision. Thus he and Wacha were the first teammate duo aged 23 and under to win nine games or more in their team's first 75 sinceDwight Gooden andSid Fernandez did so with the Mets in1986.^[137] On June 30 against theChicago White Sox, the Cardinals again fell victim to a strikeout record against anAmerican League Central pitcher. By striking out 12 Cardinals hitters,Chris Sale matchedPedro Martínez with 10 or more strikeouts in each of eight consecutive games, which Martínez accomplished in1999. The Cardinals fell to the White Sox, 2–1, in extra innings^[138] for just their second loss at home of the month. Grichuk hit a 448 feet (137 m) home run off Sale into theBig Mac Land section, the longest home run of the year at Busch Stadium by a Cardinals player through that point. The bullpen finished with an MLB-best 1.52 ERA for the month of June.^[139]

On July 2, news reports including those by theSt. Louis Post-Dispatch indicated that the Cardinals had dismissed scouting director Chris Correa after he had admitted to illegally accessing the Astros' scouting database in 2013.^[140][141]

On January 8,2016, Correa pleaded guilty in federal court to five counts of unauthorized access to a protected computer from at least March 2013 through June 2014. Officials in MLB's commissioner's office said they will review the results of the federal investigation and determine if and when any penalties will be assessed against the Cardinals.^[142]

Trevor Rosenthal's23+2⁄3 IP scoreless streak ended on July 3 against theSan Diego Padres.Jedd Gyorko singled home the go-ahead run in the ninth to send the Cardinals to their fourth consecutive loss. Rosenthal's streak, which dated back to May 5, was the longest among relief pitchers in the National League to that point in the season.^[143] The Cardinals recalled Harris and optioned Greg Garcia back to Memphis on July 4.^[144]

On July 4, the Cardinals defeated the Padres 2–1 as center fielderTommy Pham, just recalled from Memphis, was influential in helping snap the four-game losing streak. He doubled for his first major league hit, then, later in the game, pilfered his first stolen base and scored the winning run.^[145] The next game, Pham hit his first major league home run and drove in his first major league runs, driving in all three runs in a 3–1 victory and propelling the Cardinals to the series split with the Padres.^[146] The Cardinals placed Jaime García with a rightgroinstrain and recalled Cooney from Memphis. García sustained the injury on June 24 while running the bases against Miami.^[147]

Six Cardinals were selected to compete for the National League All-Star team in the86th All-Star Game atGreat American Ball Park inCincinnati, including Matt Holliday, Carlos Martínez, Yadier Molina, Jhonny Peralta, Trevor Rosenthal and Michael Wacha. Peralta and Holliday were voted to start the game by fan vote on July 6. Peralta garnered the most votes among NL shortstops, while Holliday placed third among NL outfielders, which automatically assured him one three starting outfield spots. Molina and Rosenthal were selected by fellow players on July 7; NLmanagerBruce Bochy also selected Wacha that day. Additionally, Martínez was nominated as a contender for theAll-Star Final Vote,^[148] which he won on July 10 for was his first All-Star selection.^[149]

Although it was Holliday's seventh All-Star selection, it was first time he was selected by fan vote, and thus, as a starter.^[150] He was held out of participating due to the quadriceps injury.^[151] Peralta made his third All-Star team and first playing for the National League. Molina was selected for his seventh appearance, and Rosenthal and Wacha were both selected for the first time.^[148] Through July 10, Martínez completed107+1⁄3 innings and notched a 10–3 record with a 2.52 ERA. Over his previous 10 outings, his totals included 10 consecutivequality starts with a 1.20 ERA and 7–1 W–L.^[149] Rosenthal elected not to play due to a sore arm.^[152]

In the Reds'clubhouse for the All-Star Game, Molina was assigned thelocker of second basemanBrandon Phillips. A rift had developed between the two in2010 when Phillips called the Cardinals a derogatory name to thepress, and an altercation between them during one of Phillips' at bats the following game ignited abench-clearing brawl. Since then, the two mended their schism, and Molina has a photograph of their two families together.^[153] When informed with whom he shared, Molina replied, "This is Phillips' locker? How about that? I'll have to write something to him."^[154]

While the pregame roster introductions were made, Redsfans booed all six Cardinals players, and even former CardinalAlbert Pujols. When Molina was introduced, the booing reached a crescendo, and he smiled and turned and pointed histhumbs toward the back of his jersey. Pujols provided levity when he then joined in the booing. After the game, Molina remarked toreporters, "when you spend 12 years coming to Cincinnati and you beat them so many times, they're going to boo you." In his career to that point, he hit .319 with a .352 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage in 270 career at-bats at Great American Ball Park.^[155]

In the morning of July 12, the Cardinals dropped their second straight game (that had started the night before) to the second place Pirates, afterAndrew McCutchen hit a walk off home run offNick Greenwood in the bottom of the 14th inning. Earlier in this game, Mark Reynolds hit his first multiple home run game of the season – and 22nd of his career^[156] – while John Lackey delivered his sixth straightquality start, and 12th in 15 outings.^[157] The next game ended with a 6–5 extra-inning defeat of the Cardinals, this time in the bottom of the tenth inning. The loss shrunk the Central division-leading Cardinals' lead over the Pirates to2+1⁄2 games; it was also the Pirates' third consecutive victory over the Cardinals in as many days.Gregory Polanco's bases loaded single in the bottom of the tenth off Rosenthal gave the Pirates the win.^[158][159] Rosenthal's first blown save since May 3, it stopped a streak of 18 consecutive conversions.^[160] This match was the tenth meeting between the two clubs to this point in the season, of which they had split evenly, and the fifth to go into extra innings.^[159]

Despite withstanding both a three-game and four-gamelosing streak within their previous 14 games, the Cardinals entered the All-Star break with the best record in the major leagues at 56–33. According toSTATS LLC, St. Louis abdicated a 2.71 ERA, the leading at-the-break ERA in the majors since the1981 Astros allowed a 2.81 ERA. Between Lackey, Lynn, Martínez, and Wacha – the four with the most starts – their unified ERA was 2.84, the top figure for the club since1968, the season ofBob Gibson's 1.12 ERA. Their record at Busch Stadium was 31–11 for a .738 winning percentage, the highest in the major leagues. They also had a 2.31 ERA at home.^[161]

On July 18, the Cardinals defeated the Mets 12–2 behind Lackey's seven innings and one run performance, Heyward's five hits and Grichuk's six RBI. Through his previous seven starts, Lackey's ERA was 1.63. Grichuk also had two home runs in the game, and a seven-game hitting streak, with 13 hits in 25 at bats (.520). It was his first six-RBI game. Heyward's five hits were his first in a game in two years.^[162] In the last game of the series, the Mets defeated the Cardinals 3–1 in 18 innings, in spite of stranding 25 runners, which tied their franchise record set in 1974. The game lasted five hours and 55 minutes.^[163]

Matt Holliday's first home run in his return from the disabled list was a grand slam againstCarlos Rodon of theChicago White Sox in an 8–5 win on July 21.^[164] It was his sixth career grand slam.Stephen Piscotty, appearing in his first major league game, singled in his second at bat for his first MLB hit.^[165] In the next game, also against the White Sox, Piscotty hit his first career double. With the bases loaded, Molina hit his first triple since 2011 and in more than 2,000 at bats. This triple provided the decisive run in a 3–2 outcome and made the Cardinals the first team of the season to 60 wins.^[166]

Cooney earned his first major league win by pitching a career-high seven innings in a 4−2 win over theAtlanta Braves on July 24. He had previously received no-decisions in each of his first five major league starts. Further, Cooney had a 12-inning scoreless streak that ended in the sixth inning. Grichuk hit a two-run home run, and,setup manKevin Siegrist, filling in forcloserTrevor Rosenthal, recorded his fifthsave of the season.^[167] On July 25, Martínez pitched his 11th consecutivequality start, tying him withClayton Kershaw of the Dodgers for longest current streak, and the longest for the Cardinals sinceChris Carpenter in2010.^[168] Piscotty'ssacrifice fly scored Kozma and was the only run of the game, giving the Cardinals a 1–0 win. It was Piscotty's first MLB RBI.^[169]

Kolten Wong's second career grand slam provided the margin in a 4–1 win over the Reds on July 27.^[170] The Reds then shut out the Cardinals on consecutive days. Holliday reaggravated the quadriceps injury on July 29 that he had sustained the month prior, and was placed on the 15-day DL.^[171] Lackey gave up just one run with eight strikeouts while allowing one walk and two hits. It was the fewest hits he allowed through that point in the season. He also allowed three runs or fewer in all but of one of his prior 17 starts.^[172]

However, the Cardinals' offense returned the following night (July 30) in a 9–8 home victory over the Colorado Rockies. After slumping to a .216 batting average over three months since being moved down in the order, Matt Carpenter returned to thelead off position for his first career multi-home run game. He also had four hits, four runs scored and four RBI. The game involved multiple lead changes, poor fundamental play and angry exchanges between the two clubs. Starting pitcher Carlos MartínezhitDJ LeMahieu with a pitch in the fifth inning; when the inning was completed, Martínez flashed anobscenegesture on full public display toward the visitors'dugout with Rockies players and personnel. Correspondingaggressive verbal exchanges ensued, including those between Molina andNolan Arenado. In the seventh inning, Rockies pitcherChristian Friedrich hitKolten Wong. Theumpires issued warnings in the fifth inning but noejections followed. Kevin Siegrist committed two throwingerrors in the eighth inning involving Rockies baserunners, that, along withRandal Grichuk's throwing mistakes from center field (not officially ruled as errors), allowed Colorado to take an 8–6 lead. The Cardinals came back in the bottom of the ninth, winning on Greg Garcia's bases loaded walk-off walk. Carpenter was again instrumental, starting the rally with aground rule double.Jhonny Peralta later delivered a game-tying two-run single before the Cardinals loaded the bases and Garcia drew the decisive walk. Martínez' streak of 11 quality starts ended with this game after allowing five runs in five innings.^[173][174]

The Cardinals augmented their bullpen by adding former closers Jonathan Broxton and Steven Cishek and their lineup with Brandon Moss before the July 31 trade deadline. Cishek and Broxton were the fourth and fifth pitchers with at least 30 saves in one season to play for the Cardinals in 2015.

To help offset the loss of batting production from Holliday's return to the DL, the Cardinals acquired first baseman and outfielderBrandon Moss from the Indians for LHPRob Kaminsky.^[175] The following day, the Cardinals acquired another former closer inJonathan Broxton, who was Milwaukee's setup man. The Brewers also sent cash, as the pitcher's 2015 salary was $9 million ($11,954,034.3 today), and he would have beenarbitration eligible in 2016 with a $2 million ($2,656,452.1 today)buyout. The Cardinals sent outfielder Malik Collymore (minors, not on 40-man roster) to the Brewers.^[176]

On July 30, it was announced the Cardinals had agreed to a new television deal withFox Sports Midwest. It was an extension of the current deal, which would expire at the end of the 2017 season. The new deal would extend through 2032 and be worth $1 billion overall. It also guaranteed the franchise a minority stake in the network. The Cardinals' current deal would have been worth about $35 million in its final year, then climb to roughly $55 million in 2018, increasing with inflation each year afterward.^[177]

Moss' first RBI for St. Louis occurred on August 2, a game-winning single that scoredJason Heyward in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Rockies.^[178] Carpenter hit five home runs from July 30 to August 5.^[179] On August 5 against the Reds at Great American Ball Park, Grichuk doubled in the sixth inning and hit the game-winning home run in the top of the 13th for a 4–3 win.^[180] After closing out a 6–0 contest againstMilwaukee on August 7 with three scoreless innings,Carlos Villanueva earned his second save of the season, and second of three innings.^[181] Byshutting out the Brewers 3–0 on August 8, Cardinals pitchers induced 36 consecutive scoreless innings. Jaime García was the starter and winning pitcher in this game, improving to 4–4.^[182] The Cardinals extended their season-high scoreless streak to 38 innings against the Brewers on August 9, but lost the contest 5–4. They had also completed 62 innings without allowing a home run, which also ended in this game.^[183]

Due to his increased frequency of home runs, Carpenter received consideration for a second NL Player of the week Award for August 9. He batted .348 with four home runs, eight RBI, seven runs scored, a 1.000 SLG and .423 OBP.^[184]Baseball America released their annual Tool Box Awards for 2015 on August 12, rated by managers and coaches league-wide. Those rating at or near the top of various categories included Carpenter for "beststrike zone judgment" (third), Yadier Molina for both "besthit and run artist" (tied for first) and "bestdefensivecatcher" (first), Trevor Rosenthal for "bestreliever" (third), and Mike Matheny for "bestmanager" (second).^[185]

In a 10–5 loss to the Pirates on August 13, starter Lance Lynn recorded just two outs while allowing seven runs total, three earned, in the first inning. Lynn allowed six hits while throwing 41 pitches. The Pirates scored four unearned runs after Matt Carpenter's throwing error.Pedro Álvarez, with six hits in 12 at bats, two home runs, and two doubles in the series, also homered in the first inning.^[186] That gave him 18 home runs in 80 games against the Cardinals. Lynn became the first Cardinals starter sinceAnthony Reyes on October 1,2006, to fail to complete the first inning by reason other than injury.^[187]Tyler Lyons, making his first relief appearance of the season, took over for Lynn and completed5+1⁄3 scoreless innings. It was the Cardinals' first scoreless relief outing of at least five innings sinceManny Aybar did so in1999.^[188]

Jaime García pitched8+1⁄3 innings against theMiami Marlins atBusch Stadium on August 14 in a 3–1 win. One of the hits he allowed was toIchiro Suzuki, his 4,191st hit in top-levelprofessional baseball, matchingTy Cobb.^[a][189] Ichiro passed Cobb the next night with two singles as the Cardinals won, 6–2.John Lackey (10–7) was the Cardinals' starter and recorded his 12th consecutive season with at least 10 victories. In8+1⁄3 IP, he struck out six, and allowed the two runs after nine hits and one walk. At one point, he retired nine consecutive batters.^[190]Randal Grichuk andMark Reynolds both homered andStephen Piscotty collected three hits.^[191] Piscotty then hit a home run in the next game, also against the Marlins, for his in the major leagues, andJason Heyward homered twice for his first multi-home run game with the Cardinals. It was not enough run support as Miami won, 6–4.^[192]

After injuring his right elbow, the Cardinals placed Grichuk on the DL on August 17 due to a strain, and recalledTommy Pham in his place.^[193] With his first major league triple, Piscotty set up the go-ahead run in a 2–1 win over theSan Francisco Giants on August 17.^[194] Molina's 100th career home run on August 19 was well-timed, becoming the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning at Busch Stadium in a 4–3 win over the Giants.^[195]

The Cardinals won seven of ten games on theirWest Coast road trip from August 21–30. After losing the first two games of the series against theSan Diego Padres atPetco Park by a combined 17–3 score, the Cardinals won on August 23, 10–3. Piscotty set a new career high with five RBI, and his first multi-home run game.Michael Wacha won his 15th game.^[196]

The Cardinals swept theArizona Diamondbacks in four games atChase Field August 24–27.^[197] After saving his 40th game on August 26, Rosenthal became the third-youngest MLB pitcher to record back-to-back 40 save seasons, and just the second Cardinals pitcher to do so.Lee Smith registered 40 saves each season from1991–93.^[198] In the final game of the series against the Diamondbacks, Brandon Moss hit his first home run as a Cardinal, andTony Cruz hit his first home run of the season in a 5–3 win.^[199] The Cardinals announced on August 28 that they had chosenRandy Flores, a former relief pitcher who had played for the Cardinals'2006 World Series championship team, as their next director of scouting.^[200][201] Matt Carpenter reached 20 home runs for the first time in his career on August 30 in a 7–5 win over the Giants.^[202] Reynolds and Moss also homered,^[203] and Heyward singled, doubled, and tripled, and Siegrist got his sixth save. It was the final game of the West Coast road trip.^[204]

St. Louis won their second successive, 8–5, come-from-behind victory at Busch Stadium over theWashington Nationals on September 1.Brandon Moss provided a three-run,walk-off home run.^[206]Marco Gonzales made his first appearance of the season in this game, allowing four runs in less than three innings.^[207] This win placed the club at40 games above .500 for the first time on the season.^[208] The club activatedcenter fielderJon Jay from thedisabled list on September 4 after missing 57 games due to a wrist injury.^[209] Jaime García achieved his 50th career win in a 4–1 decision over the Pirates on September 5, also reaching 100 IP in a season for the first time since 2012.^[210]

The Cardinals reactivated Grichuk on September 6. Four days later, he played center field against the Cubs, but was not permitted to throw as his elbow had still not fully recovered.^[211] In an eight-game stretch, the Cardinals allowed 52 runs (6.5 per game), while scoring just 20, including a loss of 9–0 to the Cubs and another loss of 11–0 to the Reds. First basemanMatt Adams, on the DL since late May, returned to play on September 11.^[212] On September 12, MLB announced an 80-game suspension of catcherCody Stanley after testing positive for4-Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone, aprohibited substance under theirdrug policy.^[213] The club activated relieverMatt Belisle from the DL on September 12,^[214] and reactivatedMatt Holliday three days later after missing 41 games.^[215]

The Cardinals swept the September 15–17 series against Milwaukee to give them their first four-game winning streak of the month. On September 16, Pham tripled and hit his first multi-home run game in a 5–4 victory. He actually homered in three consecutiveplate appearances spanning his last at bat previous to the game, September 13 against Cincinnati.^[216] In the next game, Pham's line drive ricocheted off the head of starting pitcherJimmy Nelson. Although Nelson had to leave the game, he was able to walk off the field in his own ability, and amagnetic resonance image (MRI) revealed acontusion. The Cardinals won, 6–3. Pham doubled and tripled in this game, giving him six hits and eight RBI in consecutive games against Milwaukee.^[31] With seven scoreless innings, Lackey reached 200 IP for the sixth time in his career and first time since 2010. He had a 2.23 ERA over his last 17 starts.^[217] By reaching 200 IP, he triggered a $400,000 bonus, bringing his earnings for the season over $2 million.^[31]

With the Cubs seven games back, the first-place Cardinals visitedWrigley Field on September 18 to start a three-game series, continuing a renewedCardinals–Cubs rivalry with Chicago being more competitive than in recent years. After Cubs pitcherDan Haren hit Matt Holliday in the back of the head in the fifth inning, Belisle grazedAnthony Rizzo behind the knee in the seventh inning, prompting his ejection. The Cubs won, 8–3. Remarked CubsmanagerJoe Maddon about Belisle hitting Rizzo, "I have no history with the Cardinals except I used to love them growing up. That really showed me a lot today in a negative way. I don't know who put out the hit. I don't know ifTony Soprano is in the dugout. I didn't see him in there. But we're not going to put up with it, from them or anybody else."^[218]

Chicago defeated St. Louis again the next game, 5–4, but the Cardinals clinched at least a spot in thewild-cardplay-in game with the Giants' loss to the Diamondbacks,^[219] the first team of the season to advance to theplayoffs. Matheny became the first manager in MLB history to guide his club to the postseason in each of his first four full seasons.^[220] In the third game of the series against the Cubs on September 20, the bases were loaded with no outs in the eight inning.Addison Russell hit a fly ball that Heyward caught running and threw home to Molina to tag out Rizzo by two steps, helping preserve a 4–3 win. However, Molina injured his left thumb as he applied the tag.^[221] An MRI revealed a partial ligament tear the following day. The same day, the Cardinals announcedAdam Wainwright was cleared to resume baseball activities ahead of schedule after diligently rehabilitating hisAchilles tendon rupture throughout the season.^[222] Pham drove in two of the runs in a 3–1 win over the Reds on September 22.^[223]

CatcherTravis Tartamella debuted on September 23 in the eighth inning of a 10–2 win against the Reds and singled on the first pitch of his first plate appearance.^[224] Martinez' season ended early in a start against the Brewers on September 25 in which threw only seven pitches; he also missed the postseason. The injury was a shoulder strain; however, surgery was not deemed necessary and that he would recover in time for the 2016 season.^[225] While playing the Pirates on September 28, Piscotty was injured on a fly ball into left field when he collided with Bourjos' knee, which hit him in the head. He suffered abruise, but tests results were negative for injury, includingconcussion.^[226] The Cardinals won the contest 3–0, and Rosenthal gained his 48th save, establishing a new single-season franchise record.^[227]

Making his first appearance of the season since April, Wainwright pitched an inning of relief in the first game of adoubleheader against Pittsburgh on September 30, an 8–2 loss. He gave up one run on two hits with a strikeout and no walks. He had returned from injury at least four months ahead of schedule.^[228] In the second game, the Cardinals won their 100th game of the season while clinching their third consecutiveNational League Central division title by an 11–1 score. The Pirates, who had kept close with the Cardinals for nearly the entire season, had won their 96th game of the season earlier in the day. They already qualified as one of twowild card entrants, along with the Cubs. Heyward hit a grand slam to highlight the second game, the second of his career, and robbed bothFrancisco Cervelli andMichael Morse of hits.Tyler Lyons, filling in for the injuredCarlos Martínez, completed seven scoreless innings with just four hits and no walks allowed. Carpenter doubled and tripled, and Peralta added three RBI. Seigrist, making his major league-leading 80th appearance of the season, became just the third left-handed pitcher in franchise history to make that many appearances in a season.^[229][230]

The Cardinals finished their regular season October 1–3 against theAtlanta Braves atTurner Field, which the Braves swept. They held the Cardinals scoreless in their final 27 innings of the regular season.^[231]