ST. LOUIS (AP) — Edward Mujica is on the St. Louis Cardinals’ roster for the NL division series — even after losing his job as closer in mid-September. Manager Mike Matheny said Mujica’s role would be “right-handed reliever.”
Rookie Trevor Rosenthal took over for Mujica, who was among the league leaders with 37 saves but had two blown saves the final month. Mujica, who began the year as a setup man, allowed 18 hits in 7 1-3 innings in September. In his final outing, Mujica lasted one-third of an inning and gave up two runs on three hits — all for extra bases.
Matheny declined for the second straight day to announce starters past Lance Lynn in Game 2, although he said rookies Shelby Miller and Michael Wacha would be available for bullpen duty in Game 1. Rookie second baseman Kolten Wong was a surprise addition.
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ST. LOUIS (AP) — Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates are riding high from their first postseason victory in 21 years. And now, after beating the Cincinnati Reds in the wild-card game, the Pirates are set to face another familiar foe in an unfamiliar month: the NL Central champion Cardinals in October. Game 1 of their division series is Thursday night in St. Louis.
The Cardinals edged the Pirates for the division title, with Pittsburgh winning the regular-season series, but they have quite the advantage in postseason experience. Adam Wainwright has to like this matchup, too. St. Louis’ ace is set to start the opener and will be available on regular rest for a possible deciding Game 5 against a team he went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts this season.