2012 St. Louis Cardinals season

The St. Louis Cardinals 2012 season was the 131st season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri, the 121st season in the National League, and the seventh at Busch Stadium III. The Cardinals made their 25th trip to the postseason in 2012 after taking the NL Wild Card title by one game over the Atlanta Braves on the last day of the regular season in 2011. They began the 2012 season away against the Miami Marlins on April 4. St. Louis was coming off a 90–72 (.556) season, a second-place finish in the National League Central Division, the aforementioned wild card berth, and their National League-leading 11th World Series championship.

2012 St. Louis Cardinals
National League Wild Card Winners
League	National League
Division	Central
Ballpark	Busch Stadium
City	St. Louis, Missouri
Record	88–74 (.543)
Divisional place	2nd
Owners	William DeWitt Jr. Fred Hanser Klingaman Group
General managers	John Mozeliak
Managers	Mike Matheny
Television	Fox Sports Midwest (Dan McLaughlin, Al Hrabosky, Rick Horton)
Radio	KMOX (1120AM) (Mike Shannon, John Rooney)
Stats	ESPN.com BB-reference
← 2011 Seasons 2013 →

In 2012, they finished with an 88–74 (.543) record and second place in the NL Central. By virtue of coming in second to the Atlanta Braves, they won the second National League Wild Card spot, and then beat the Braves in the NLWC Game. They then played the NL East champion Washington Nationals in the NLDS and beat them in five games to advance to the NLCS against the San Francisco Giants. However, they lost to the Giants in seven games after leading the series 3 games to 1.

Offseason departures and acquisitions

Management

On October 31, 2011, Tony La Russa announced his retirement after 16 years as manager of the Cardinals. After interviewing several candidates, the Cardinals announced, in a press conference on November 14, that former Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny would be the team's new manager, the 49th in team history.^[1] At 41, he is the youngest active manager in the majors. He holds the catching major league record for consecutive errorless games at 252, and for consecutive errorless chances with 1,565.

On November 16, Matheny and the Cardinals announced the new coaching staff: Dave Duncan stayed on as the pitching coach for the 17th year as he was the only coach under contract, with third-base coach Jose Oquendo, hitting coach and former Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire, and bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist. 50-year-old Mike Aldrete moved from assistant hitting coach to bench coach. Chris Maloney also 50 years of age, moved from manager of the AAA Memphis Redbirds of the Pacific Coast League to first-base coach in St. Louis; his first time on a major league staff. Former bench coach Joe Pettini and first-base coach Dave McKay moved to other roles in baseball operations for the team.^[2]

On December 2, former Cardinals outfielder John Mabry was named assistant hitting coach.^[3]

Hitters

On December 8, Albert Pujols signed a 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels worth $254 million, declining a 10-year $220 million offer by the Cardinals. His old contract paid him $111 million over eight years from 2004 to 2011. Pujols departed among the leaders in virtually every major offensive category in Cardinals franchise history. At the time of the signing of the contract, he was fourth all-time in hits, third in runs and second in total bases, doubles, home runs, RBIs and walks. He was behind only Stan Musial in the five latter categories. He was seventh in games played and could have climbed as high as third with two more seasons in a Cardinals uniform.^[4] He was paid $14,508,395 in 2011.^[5] His former teammates were stunned by his decision.^[6]

On December 10, the team re-signed Rafael Furcal to a two-year deal worth $14 mil.^[7]

On December 12, the Cardinals refused to offer a contract to Ryan Theriot, making him a non-tendered free agent.
On the same day, utilityman [2B/OF] Skip Schumaker accepted a two-year deal worth $3 mil. avoiding free agency after 2012. He was paid $4.7 mil. in his just completed two-year deal.^[8]

On December 22, the Cardinals signed outfielder Carlos Beltrán to a two-year deal.^[9]

On March 1, 2012, the Cardinals announced the extension of catcher Yadier Molina's expiring $7 mil. contract at the end of 2012, for 5 years (with a 6th year $15 mil. option for 2018) for $75 mil., making him the second-highest-paid catcher (to Twins catcher Joe Mauer) in all of baseball. He leads all catchers with 39 pickoffs since 2005, and has thrown out 44% of all basestealers in his eight years. He led all Cardinals batters in 2011 with a .305 batting average, starting more games behind the plate than any other catcher, and established career-highs with 55 runs scored, 32 doubles, 14 home runs, and 65 RBIs.^[10]

Pitchers

On December 15, 2011, the Cardinals signed 35-year-old lefty reliever J. C. Romero to a one-year contract.^[11]

The Cardinals invited nineteen players to spring training camp.^[12]

The team finished setting its 25-man roster on March 30. Placed on the DL were pitcher Chris Carpenter, utilityman Skip Schumaker, and outfielder Allen Craig.^[13]

Regular season

April

On Sunday, April 22 at Pittsburgh, the Cardinals became the first defending world champion team since the 1922 New York Giants to open their title defense with six consecutive series win.^[14] They had a record of 11-5 (.688) during that streak. The series streak ended on April 24, with a second consecutive loss to the Cubs in Chicago, although winning the final game of the series on April 25.

May

The Cardinals announced they would retire former manager Tony La Russa' #10 prior to the game on May 11. His number will be the 12th retired by the Cardinals. He ranks third on the managers' all-time wins list with 2,728. 1,408 of those came with the Cardinals in his 16-year tenure there, and his .544 winning percentage with the team is his best of the three clubs he managed in his 33 seasons.^[15]

On May 14, Carlos Beltrán was named the National League Player of the Week for the week of May 7–13 after posting six home runs, 13 RBIs, eight runs scored, 30 total bases, and a 1.200 slugging percentage. He collected hits in five of the six games, homering in four of them. This is Beltran's ninth Player of the Week Award and his sixth in the National League. He leads the National League with 15 home runs, and is second in RBIs, with 32.^[16]

At home on May 22, Adam Wainwright threw his first complete game shutout since August 6, 2010, in a 4−0 victory over the San Diego Padres. Wainwright missed the entire 2011 season recovering from elbow surgery. It was his ninth career complete game and just his third shutout.^[17]

June

Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in New York Mets' 51-year history (totaling 8,019 regular season and 74 post-season games previously) with an 8−0 shutout over the Cardinals and Adam Wainwright at Citi Field on June 1. 27,069 witnessed the no-hitter, with Santana throwing a career-high 134 pitches. He walked five, and struck out eight. (box score) Left fielder Mike Baxter robbed Yadier Molina with a great catch in the seventh inning for the 20th out. Umpire Adrian Johnson ruled a hard grounder by former Met Carlos Beltrán (in his first return to New York) down the third-base line 'foul' although the ball made a mark on the chalk in the sixth inning. Beltran subsequently grounded out to third base on the next pitch. The no-hitter was the eighth against the Cardinals in their long history, the first time by Hall-of-Famer Christy Mathewson on July 15, 1901. The previous no-hitter against the Cardinals was by Fernando Valenzuela on June 29, 1990, at Dodger Stadium.^[18][19] The Cardinals were also the first defending World Series champion to be pitched a no-hitter against since the Oakland Athletics in their 1990 pennant season.^[20][21] On the opposite side, Cardinals' pitchers have thrown 10 no-hitters against opponents, the last one by Bud Smith against the San Diego Padres on September 3, 2001. The Padres are now the only present team without a no-hitter.

On June 7, Jaime García (left-hander), landed on the disabled list after his 2-inning June 5 start with a left shoulder sprain. He is the eighth player on it, one-off the season high of nine—at the same time with the seven others which include two starting pitchers (he and Chris Carpenter), two relievers (Scott Linebrink and Kyle McClellan), two infielders (Lance Berkman and Matt Carpenter), and two outfielders (Jon Jay and Skip Schumaker).^[22]

On June 15, batting against his old team the Kansas City Royals, Carlos Beltrán became the first switch-hitter in MLB history to attain 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases, with his seventh stolen base in the second inning. Seven other hitters also are members of the 300-300 club.^[23]

July

Carlos Beltrán (of) and Rafael Furcal (ss) won the fan voting to be starters at their positions for the 83rd All-Star Game in Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium on July 10. Yadier Molina (c) was selected by the players as a reserve for his fourth consecutive year; he ranked second in the voting to starter Buster Posey. Lance Lynn was also selected by the players as a reserve pitcher; his first time going to the All-Star Game. Retired Cardinals' manager Tony La Russa will un-retire for the one game. Coaches Derek Lilliquist, Jose Oquendo and Mark McGwire will also be participating in the event, as all are members of La Russa's All-Star staff. Former St. Louis coaches Joe Pettini, Dave McKay and Dave Duncan are members of that coaching staff, as well. Beltran is leading the NL with 61 RBIs, and second in home runs with 20. He also ranks in the top 10 with a .310 batting average. It will be his fourth time as an All-Star fan-vote starter, seventh overall.^[24] As an added bonus for Beltran, he was also picked to participate in the Home Run Derby contest on July 9, the night before the All-Star Game. It will be the first time for him in that fan-favorite event.^[25]

On July 6, after the passing of Yadier Molina's wife's grandfather, he left the team to join his family in Puerto Rico and was put on the bereavement list. He will miss the three weekend games and won't participate in the All-Star game. Matt Holliday was picked by Tony La Russa to replace him on the roster. Bryan Anderson was recalled from AAA-Memphis to replace Molina on the Cardinals' roster, with Tony Cruz to start as catcher for the weekend games.^[26]

After the rosters were opened to the fans, voting was held to decide the final fan-voted addition to each team. The online balloting was conducted from Sunday afternoon, July 1, through Thursday afternoon, July 5. The winners of the final vote were David Freese of the St. Louis Cardinals (NL), and Yu Darvish of the Texas Rangers (AL). Chipper Jones, of the Atlanta Braves, was removed from the ballot on July 3 after he replaced Matt Kemp on the roster due to Kemp's injury.^[27]

The 83rd All-Star Game on July 10, at Kansas City's Kaufmann Stadium was an 8-0 blowout for the National League, its sixth shutout win against two shutout losses for the NL. It made retired manager Tony La Russa the first manager to win All-Star Games in both leagues. He was 3-0 in the AL, but 0-2 in the NL before this year's game.^[28] La Russa emphasized this was his final game as a manager.^[29][30]

On July 3, the team and disabled pitcher Chris Carpenter decided he will have season-ending surgery to repair his thoracic outlet syndrome that has plagued him all year with nerve-related shoulder problems. Recovery time is estimated at six months, so if done this month he will be ready for spring training in February 2013.^[31] Surgery is set for July 19, performed by Dr. Gregory Pearl in Dallas, Texas.^[32]

On July 16, Trevor Rosenthal was called up for the first time to the major leagues, and made his debut in the eighth inning on July 18, the 2,000th player in Cardinals' history. No other franchise in baseball has reached 2,000.^[33]

On July 21, at home against the Cubs, a 0−0 tight game started by Jake Westbrook (8-8, after getting the win in 7 inn.) was broken in the bottom of the seventh with a 12-run explosion by the Cardinals, won by that 12−0 score with 16 hits against only 4 for the Cubs. The inning-explosion featured 7 doubles, tying a major-league record set by the (NL) 1936 Boston Bees (against the Cardinals at Sportsmen's Park, first inning on August 25), 17 batters with 10 hits including a triple, 2 singles, 2 walks, and a wild pitch. David Freese started the inning with an infield single. Allen Craig then got one of his two doubles that inning, and the merry-go-round was on. The 12-runs in an inning also tied the highest runs in any inning by a Cardinals' team since the 1926 club did it in the third inning against the Phillies on September 15. Gameday Recap^[34] The club got 27 total bases and 9 doubles in the game—the last time they did that was on July 12, 1931.^[35]

The team made a trade on the last day of the non-waiver deadline, July 31, sending minor-league third baseman Zack Cox to the Miami Marlins for minor-league relief pitcher Edward Mujica.^[36]

August

On August 3, Lance Berkman went on the disabled list for the third time this season with knee problems.^[37]

Matt Holliday got his 1,500th career hit on August 30.

September

Yadier Molina got his 1,000th career hit on September 4, a rare infield single.

Shelby Miller got his first major league win as a reliever, in a crucial fourth game of the series, in the 12th-inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 16.^[38]

On September 17, the Cardinals announced they were moving their short-season affiliation with the Batavia (NY) Muckdogs to the State College (PA) Spikes in the same New York–Penn League.^[39]

On September 19, the Cardinals announced they were moving their low-A team from Quad Cities (Iowa) back to Peoria (Illinois) where they had the team from 1995 to 2004, in the Midwest League.^[40]

On September 19, David Freese and Yadier Molina hit their 20th home runs of the seasons. It marked the first time in Cardinals' history that five players have hit 20 home runs in a season, with the shutout win against the Houston Astros. Carlos Beltrán (29), Matt Holliday (27), and Allen Craig (21) reached 20 previously.^[41]

On September 20, the Cardinals went over the 3 million attendance figure for the ninth consecutive year.^[42]

On September 21, Chris Carpenter returned to the rotation for the first time this season after surgery in July, refuting doctors' predictions of no pitching possible in 2012. He faced 22 batters (77 pitches, 47 strikes) in pitching five innings, giving up five hits (incl. a double and triple) and two runs, hitting one batter, walking one, and striking out two against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, leading 3−2 after the fifth inning, but Fernando Salas blew the save for him with two-outs and two strikes in the ninth when leading 4–2, and the team lost in 11 innings.^[42][43][44] "My stuff wasn't as sharp as I'd like, it wasn't even as sharp as it's been in those simulated games", said Carpenter, who preceded this start with four simulated games. "I did the best I could to get as many outs as I could and give us a chance. It was fun to go out there. It's definitely something I can build on, and hopefully my stuff is sharper as I get out there more often."^[45]

On September 23, Pete Kozma hit his first home run. The next game on the 24th he hit his second home run.

On September 24, closer Jason Motte was named NL Player of the Week after saving all five of the Cardinals' wins in the week of September 17–23, and is leading the NL in saves with his 40th. He became the first closer with the Cardinals to save 40 games since Jason Isringhausen in 2004. It was the first time he has won that award, and the first time a closer had won it since Huston Street in 2009.^[46][47]

October

On October 2, despite losing in their 161st game with a chance to clinch in front of almost 40,000 fans, the team later clinched the second wild-card spot when the Los Angeles Dodgers lost to their arch-rival San Francisco Giants.^[48][49]

For the last game of the season at home on October 3, Shelby Miller, who started 2012 as the club's top prospect, made his major league debut as a starter against the Cincinnati Reds. He has already had five appearances (1-0, 2.35 ERA) in 7.2 IP as a reliever.^[50]

Season standings

NL Central standings

v t e NL Central	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Cincinnati Reds	97	65	0.599	—	50–31	47–34
St. Louis Cardinals	88	74	0.543	9	50–31	38–43
Milwaukee Brewers	83	79	0.512	14	49–32	34–47
Pittsburgh Pirates	79	83	0.488	18	45–36	34–47
Chicago Cubs	61	101	0.377	36	38–43	23–58
Houston Astros	55	107	0.340	42	35–46	20–61

NL Wild Card

v t e Division leaders	W	L	Pct.
Washington Nationals	98	64	0.605
Cincinnati Reds	97	65	0.599
San Francisco Giants	94	68	0.580

v t e Wild Card teams (Top 2 teams qualify for postseason)	W	L	Pct.	GB
Atlanta Braves	94	68	0.580	+6
St. Louis Cardinals	88	74	0.543	—
Los Angeles Dodgers	86	76	0.531	2
Milwaukee Brewers	83	79	0.512	5
Philadelphia Phillies	81	81	0.500	7
Arizona Diamondbacks	81	81	0.500	7
Pittsburgh Pirates	79	83	0.488	9
San Diego Padres	76	86	0.469	12
New York Mets	74	88	0.457	14
Miami Marlins	69	93	0.426	19
Colorado Rockies	64	98	0.395	24
Chicago Cubs	61	101	0.377	27
Houston Astros	55	107	0.340	33

Performance Against National League Opponents

2012 National League record v t e Source: MLB Standings Grid – 2012
Team	AZ	ATL	CHC	CIN	COL	HOU	LAD	MIA	MIL	NYM	PHI	PIT	SD	SF	STL	WSH	AL
Arizona	–	2–5	5–4	2–5	9–7	6–0	12–6	5–3	3–3	3–4	2–4	3–4	7–11	9–9	1–5	2–4	9–6
Atlanta	5–2	–	3–4	1–5	6–1	4–2	3–3	14–4	3–3	12–6	12–6	3–2	4–3	3–4	5–1	8–10	8–10
Chicago	4–5	4–3	–	4–12	2–4	8–5	2–4	2–4	4–13	4–2	2–4	8–8	3–3	1–6	7–10	1–6	5–10
Cincinnati	5–2	5–1	12–4	–	5–1	10–5	2–4	3–3	9–6	6–2	3–4	11–7	6–2	4–3	6–7	2–5	7–8
Colorado	7–9	1–6	4–2	1–5	–	5–2	8–10	3–4	5–1	5–2	2–7	2–4	8–10	4–14	2–5	4–3	2–13
Houston	0–6	2–4	5–8	5–10	2–5	–	2–4	2–4	8–9	4–2	3–3	5–12	3–5	1–8	4–11	1–7	6–9
Los Angeles	6–12	3–3	4–2	4–2	10–8	4–2	–	4–2	1–6	4–3	5–2	6–1	11–7	8-10	6–5	4–2	6–9
Miami	3–5	4–14	4–2	3–3	4–3	4–2	2–4	–	4–4	4–12	8–10	1–4	5–1	5–2	2–5	9–9	5–13
Milwaukee	3–3	3–3	13–4	6–9	1–5	9–8	6–1	4–4	–	3–2	2–5	11–4	3–4	2–4	6–9	3–5	6–9
New York	4–3	6–12	2–4	2–6	2–5	2–4	3–4	12–4	2–3	–	10–8	5–2	4–3	4–4	4–3	4–14	8–7
Philadelphia	4–2	6–12	4–2	4–3	7–2	3–3	2–5	10–8	5–2	8–10	–	3–4	4–3	2–4	5–2	9-9	5–10
Pittsburgh	4–3	2–3	8–8	7–11	4–2	12–5	1–6	4–1	4–11	2–5	4–3	–	1–5	3–3	8–7	3–2	10–8
San Diego	11–7	3–4	3–3	2–6	10–8	5–3	7–11	1–5	4–3	3–4	3–4	5–1	–	6–12	3–3	2–3	8–7
San Francisco	9–9	4–3	6–1	3–4	14–4	8–1	10–8	2–5	4–2	4–4	4–2	3–3	12–6	–	3–3	1–5	7–8
St. Louis	5–1	1–5	10–7	7–6	5–2	11–4	5–6	5–2	9–6	3–4	3–4	7–8	3–3	3–3	–	3–4	8–7
Washington	4–2	10–8	6–1	5–2	3–4	7–1	2–4	9–9	5–3	14–4	9-9	2–3	3–2	5-1	4-3	–	10–8

Performance Against American League Opponents

Team	W-L Record
Chicago White Sox	2-1
Cleveland Indians	1-2
Detroit Tigers	1-2
Kansas City Royals	4–2

Performance Against Divisions

Divisions	Home	Road	Total	Total Pct.
NL Central	26-12	19-20	45-32	.584
NL East	7-9	7-11	14-20	.412
NL West	13-5	8-10	21-15	.583
Interleague/AL Central	4-5	4-2	8-7	.533
TOTAL	50-31	38-43	88-74	.543

Players and Coaching Staff

See also: St. Louis Cardinals all-time roster

Opening Day lineup

Number	Name	Position
15	Rafael Furcal	SS
3	Carlos Beltrán	RF
7	Matt Holliday	LF
12	Lance Berkman	1B
23	David Freese	3B
4	Yadier Molina	C
19	Jon Jay	CF
33	Daniel Descalso	2B
26	Kyle Lohse	P

Roster

2012 St. Louis Cardinals
Roster
Pitchers 41 Mitchell Boggs 62 Barret Browning 29 Chris Carpenter 63 Maikel Cleto 65 Brandon Dickson 44 Chuckie Fick 61 Sam Freeman 40 Brian Fuentes 54 Jaime García 58 Joe Kelly 26 Kyle Lohse 31 Lance Lynn 66 Víctor Marté 46 Kyle McClellan 40 Shelby Miller 30 Jason Motte 44 Edward Mujica 16 J. C. Romero 64 Trevor Rosenthal 34 Marc Rzepczynski 59 Fernando Salas 52 Eduardo Sánchez 50 Adam Wainwright 35 Jake Westbrook		Catchers 16 Bryan Anderson 48 Tony Cruz  4 Yadier Molina Infielders 53 Matt Adams 12 Lance Berkman 13 Matt Carpenter 21 Allen Craig 33 Daniel Descalso 23 David Freese 15 Rafael Furcal 27 Tyler Greene 60 Steven Hill  8 Ryan Jackson 38 Pete Kozma 55 Skip Schumaker		Outfielders  3 Carlos Beltrán 56 Adron Chambers  7 Matt Holliday 19 Jon Jay 44 Erik Komatsu 43 Shane Robinson		Manager 22 Mike Matheny Coaches 28 Mike Aldrete (bench) 36 Derek Lilliquist (pitching) 47 John Mabry (assistant hitting) 37 Chris Maloney (first base) 25 Mark McGwire (hitting) 49 Dyar Miller (bullpen) 11 José Oquendo (third base) 39 Jamie Pogue (bullpen catcher)

Minor Leagues

Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Memphis Redbirds	Pacific Coast League	Ron Warner
AA	Springfield Cardinals	Texas League	Mike Shildt
A	Palm Beach Cardinals	Florida State League	Johnny Rodríguez
A	Quad Cities River Bandits	Midwest League	Luis Aguayo
A-Short Season	Batavia Muckdogs	New York–Penn League	Dann Bilardello
Rookie	Johnson City Cardinals	Appalachian League	Oliver Marmol
Rookie	GCL Cardinals	Gulf Coast League	Steve Turco

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Springfield

For more information about minor league teams, minor league players and the St. Louis Cardinals organization, see St. Louis Cardinals minor league players and:

St. Louis Cardinals Farm System Affiliates
2012 Prospect Watch
Cards organization preview, Top 20 Prospects, MLB.com (February 8, 2012)
Memphis Redbirds (Memphis Redbirds-AAA roster)
Springfield Cardinals (Springfield Cardinals-AA roster)

Final Regular Season Statistics

Composite scoring by inning

INNING	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	TOTAL
CARDINALS	115	85	106	59	78	91	90	84	46	5	0	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	765
OPPONENTS	102	55	65	69	50	98	77	64	46	10	2	2	1	1	2	0	1	0	3	648

Batters

Notes: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; BB = Walks; SO = Strikeouts; GIDP = Grounded into double play; Avg. = Batting average; OBP = On-base percentage; SLG = Slugging percentage

Players HITTING statistics

=Team leader

Player	G	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	GIDP	Avg.	OBP	SLG
Matt Holliday	157	599	95	177	36	27	102	75	132	16	.295	.379	.497
Carlos Beltrán	151	547	83	147	26	32	97	65	124	9	.269	.346	.495
Yadier Molina	138	505	65	159	28	22	76	45	55	10	.315	.373	.501
David Freese	144	501	70	147	25	20	79	57	122	19	.293	.372	.467
Rafael Furcal † (leadoff -8/30)	121	477	69	126	18	5	49	44	57	7	.264	.325	.346
Allen Craig (utility/1b)	119	469	76	144	35	22	92	37	89	15	.307	.354	.522
Jon Jay	117	443	70	135	22	4	40	34	71	9	.305	.373	.400
Daniel Descalso	143	374	41	85	10	4	26	37	83	5	.227	.303	.324
Matt Carpenter	114	296	44	87	22	6	46	34	63	10	.294	.365	.463
Skip Schumaker	107	272	37	75	14	1	28	27	50	6	.276	.339	.368
Tyler Greene	77	179	16	39	9	4	19	13	56	4	.218	.272	.358
Shane Robinson	102	166	20	42	8	3	16	14	32	5	.253	.309	.355
Matt Adams	27	86	8	21	6	2	13	5	24	3	.244	.286	.384
Lance Berkman ( -9/7)	32	81	12	21	7	2	7	14	19	3	.259	.381	.444
Pete Kozma	26	72	11	24	5	2	14	7	19	4	.333	.383	.569
Adron Chambers	41	54	4	12	0	0	4	5	18	0	.222	.300	.296
Erik Komatsu	15	19	3	4	0	0	0	2	2	0	.211	.286	.211
Ryan Jackson	13	17	2	2	0	0	0	1	3	1	.118	.167	.118
Bryan Anderson	10	12	2	3	1	0	0	1	6	0	.250	.357	.333
Steven Hill	9	10	1	2	1	0	0	0	3	0	.200	.200	.300
Pitcher Totals	162	317	25	42	8	2	13	13	145	5	.132	.166	.183
Team Totals (10/3)	162	5,622	765	1,526	290	159	732	533	1,192	135	.271	.338	.421
NL Rank	---	1	2	1	6	7	2	4	13	2	2	1	4

BOLD = Lead NL
* not on active roster
** on personal leave; date and G missed
† on 15-day disabled list; date DL and G missed
†† on 60-day disabled list

TEAM HITTING statistics

Baseball Reference – 2012 St. Louis Cardinals

Starting pitchers

Note: GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; H = Hits allowed; HR = Home runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts; WHIP = (walks + hits) per inning pitched; HBP = Hit by pitch; BF = Batters faced; O-AVG = Opponent batting average.; O-OBP = Opponent on-base percentage.; O-SLG = Opponent slugging percentage.; R suppt = Runs support average from his team's batters per games started

Cardinals PITCHING statistics

Sortable TEAM PITCHING Statistics

=Team leader

Player	GS	IP	W	L	ERA	H	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	HBP	BF	O-AVG	O-OBP	O-SLG	R suppt
Kyle Lohse	33	211.0	16	3	2.86	192	19	38	143	1.09	4	864	.239	.274	.368	4.4
Adam Wainwright (2 ShO)	32	198.2	14	13	3.94	196	15	52	184	1.25	6	831	.259	.309	.392	4.5
Jake Westbrook (1 CG)	28	174.2	13	11	3.97	191	12	52	106	1.39	8	751	.282	.338	.391	5.1
Lance Lynn (as starter only)	29	169.0	17	5	3.67	157	15	62	174	1.30	9	710	.248	.322	.396	5.9
Jaime García	20	121.2	7	7	3.92	136	7	30	98	1.36	0	515	.289	.327	.402	4.2
Joe Kelly (as starter only)	16	91.1	4	6	3.74	97	9	32	59	1.41	2	391	.275	.338	.419	4.4
Chris Carpenter	3	17.0	0	2	3.71	16	2	3	12	1.12	2	72	.242	.296	.424	1.7
Shelby Miller (as starter only)	1	6.0	0	0	0.00	1	0	2	7	0.50	1	21	.056	.190	.056	1.0
Starters' Totals	162	989.1	71	47	3.62	986	79	271	783	1.27	32	4,155	.261	.313	.390	4.75

Bold = lead NL * not on active roster
† on 15-day disabled list; DL date and G missed
†† on 60-day disabled list

Relief pitchers

Notes: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; H = Hits allowed; HR = Home runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts; WHIP = (walks + hits) per inning pitched; HBP = Hit by pitch; BF = Batters faced; O-AVG = Opponent batting average; O-OBP = Opponent on-base percentage; O-SLG = Opponent slugging percentage

17-27; 3.90 ERA; 473.1 IP; 434 H; 212 R; 205 ER; 55 HR; 165 BB; 435 SO; 1.266 WHIP
42/64 SV/Opp; 115 Holds; 343/492 First Batter Retired (70%); 64/242 Inherited Runners Scored (26%)^[51]

Relievers statistics

Pitcher	G	IP	W	L	ERA	H	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	HBP	BF	O-AVG	O-OBP	O-SLG
Lance Lynn (2012 totals)	35	176.0	18	7	3.78	168	16	64	180	1.32	10	744	.253	.327	.401
Joe Kelly (2012 totals)	24	107.0	5	7	3.53	112	10	36	75	1.38	3	457	.271	.333	.407
Mitchell Boggs	78	73.1	4	1	2.21	56	5	21	58	1.05	2	279	.211	.279	.291
Jason Motte*	67	72.0	4	5	2.75	49	9	17	86	0.92	2	296	.191	.245	.331
Fernando Salas	65	58.2	1	4	4.30	56	5	27	60	1.42	1	256	.251	.335	.386
Marc Rzepczynski	70	46.2	1	3	4.24	46	7	17	33	1.35	0	196	.257	.321	.408
Víctor Marte	48	40.1	3	2	4.91	51	6	14	36	1.61	2	185	.305	.364	.491
Edward Mujica	29	26.1	0	0	1.03	29	1	3	21	0.87	0	97	.215	.240	.323
Trevor Rosenthal	19	22.2	0	2	2.78	14	2	7	25	0.93	1	89	.175	.250	.263
Sam Freeman	24	20.0	0	2	5.40	17	2	10	18	1.35	1	84	.230	.329	.324
Barret Browning	22	19.1	1	3	5.12	18	2	7	11	1.29	0	83	.247	.305	.397
Kyle McClellan	16	18.2	0	1	5.30	16	2	9	11	1.34	2	72	.222	.325	.375
Eduardo Sánchez	17	15.0	0	1	6.60	11	2	13	13	1.60	1	70	.204	.362	.352
Shelby Miller (2012 totals)	6	13.2	1	0	1.32	9	0	4	16	0.95	1	54	.184	.259	.204
Maikel Cleto	9	9.0	0	0	7.00	13	4	2	15	1.67	1	41	.342	.390	.737
J.C. Romero	11	8.0	0	0	10.13	14	3	2	5	2.00	1	41	.368	.415	.658
Brandon Dickson	4	6.1	0	0	7.11	10	2	2	6	1.90	0	32	.333	.375	.633
Brian Fuentes	6	5.0	0	0	9.00	6	1	5	6	2.20	0	26	.300	.423	.500
C.J. Fick	2	1.2	0	0	5.40	3	0	1	0	2.40	0	9	.429	.500	.571

• Note: Jason Motte led all relief pitchers with 42 saves, recording all the total team saves for the season. He was also the National League leader in saves as well.

Scheduling and Results

Home attendance

Year	Attendance (games)	AVG/game	NL Rank
2012	3,262,109 (81)	40,273	4th of 16
2011	3,093,954 (81)	38,197	3rd of 16

2012 St. Louis Cardinals
2011 St. Louis Cardinals

Game log

As with all 30 teams, Major League Baseball released the Cardinals' 2012 schedule on September 14, 2011. The Cardinals' Opening Day game was away against the Miami Marlins on April 4^[52] and was nationally televised by ESPN at 6 PM CDT.^[53][54]

All game times for the following table were in Central Time Zone,^[55] and were broadcast on Fox Sports Midwest, unless otherwise noted. Twenty games from April 9 to August 10 were blacked out for those watching Fox Sports Midwest from their AT&T U-verse cable because of a financial dispute between them continuing from the previous year.^[56] Those games are marked with an asterisk (*) in the schedule below.

Legend
Cardinals Win	Cardinals Loss	Game Postponed / Tie

2012 Game Log
April   (14–8) (.636) # Date Opponent / Time Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 1 April 4 @ Marlins 6:05pm (ESPN) 4–1 Lohse (1–0) Johnson (0–1) Motte (1) 36,601 1–0 2 April 6 @ Brewers 3:10pm 11–5 García (1–0) Gallardo (0–1) 46,086 2–0 3 April 7 @ Brewers 3:05pm (Fox) 6–0 Greinke (1–0) Wainwright (0–1) 42,084 2–1 4 April 8 @ Brewers 1:10pm 9–3 Lynn (1–0) Wolf (0–1) 33,211 3–1 5 April 9 @ Reds 6:10pm * 7–1 Westbrook (1–0) Bailey (0–1) 16,909 4–1 6 April 10 @ Reds 6:10pm * 3–1 Lohse (2–0) Leake (0–1) Motte (2) 17,110 5–1 7 April 11 @ Reds 11:35am 4–3 Chapman (2–0) Rzepczynski (0–1) 20,672 5–2 8 April 13 Cubs 2:15pm 9–5 Samardzija (2–0) Wainwright (0–2) 46,882 5–3 9 April 14 Cubs 12:05pm (Fox) 5–1 Lynn (2–0) Volstad (0–1) 46,792 6–3 10 April 15 Cubs 1:15pm * 10–3 Westbrook (2–0) Maholm (0–2) 44,952 7–3 11 April 17 Reds 7:15pm * 2–1 (10) Motte (1–0) LeCure (0–1) 35,562 8–3 12 April 18 Reds 7:15pm 11–1 García (2–0) Latos (0–2) 35,907 9–3 13 April 19 Reds 12:45pm 6–3 Arroyo (1–0) Wainwright (0–3) Marshall (2) 40,049 9–4 14 April 20 @ Pirates 6:05pm 4–1 Lynn (3–0) Morton (0–1) Motte (3) 23,509 10–4 15 April 21 @ Pirates 6:05pm 2–0 Burnett (1–0) Westbrook (2–1) Hanrahan (2) 25,218 10–5 16 April 22 @ Pirates 12:35pm 5–1 Lohse (3–0) Bédard (0–4) 30,437 11–5 17 April 23 @ Cubs 7:05pm * 3–2 Dolis (1–1) Motte (1–1) 37,794 11–6 18 April 24 @ Cubs 7:05pm 3–2 (10) Russell (1–0) Salas (0–1) 38,894 11–7 19 April 25 @ Cubs 1:20pm 5–1 Lynn (4–0) Volstad (0–3) 34,894 12–7 20 April 27 Brewers 7:15pm * 13–1 Westbrook (3–1) Gallardo (1–2) 43,063 13–7 21 April 28 Brewers 12:05pm (Fox) 7–3 Lohse (4–0) Estrada (0–1) 42,586 14–7 22 April 29 Brewers 1:15pm 3–2 Greinke (3–1) García (2–1) Axford (5) 45,824 14–8
May   (13-16) (.448) # Date Opponent / Time Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 23 May 1 Pirates 7:15pm 10–7 Wainwright (1–3) Morton (1–2) Motte (4) 36,345 15–8 24 May 2 Pirates 7:15pm * 12–3 Lynn (5–0) Burnett (1–2) 35,987 16–8 25 May 3 Pirates 12:45pm * 6–3 Bédard (2–4) Westbrook (3–2) 40,601 16–9 26 May 4 @ Astros 7:05pm 5–4 Harrell (2–2) Lohse (4–1) Myers (7) 27,201 16–10 27 May 5 @ Astros 6:05pm 8–2 Norris (2–1) García (2–2) 23,633 16–11 28 May 6 @ Astros 1:05pm 8–1 Wainwright (2–3) Happ (2–2) 22,288 17–11 29 May 7 @ D'backs 8:40pm 9–6 Lynn (6–0) Saunders (2–2) Motte (5) 26,447 18–11 30 May 8 @ D'backs 8:40pm 6–1 Westbrook (4–2) Kennedy (3–2) 30,156 19–11 31 May 9 @ D'backs 8:40pm 7–2 Lohse (5–1) Miley (3–1) Motte (6) 27,710 20–11 32 May 11 Braves 7:15pm * 9–7 (12) Hernández (1–0) McClellan (0–1) Kimbrel (11) 45,190 20–12 33 May 12 Braves 6:15pm 7–2 Beachy (4–1) Wainwright (2–4) 44,157 20–13 34 May 13 Braves 1:15pm 7–4 Hanson (4–3) Lynn (6–1) 45,729 20–14 35 May 14 Cubs 6:07pm (ESPN) 6–4 Camp (2–1) Boggs (0–1) Dolis (4) 44,276 20–15 36 May 15 Cubs 12:45pm 7–6 Motte (2–1) Dolis (2–3) 45,538 21–15 37 May 16 @ Giants 9:15pm * 4–1 García (3–2) Bumgarner (5–3) Motte (7) 41,324 22–15 38 May 17 @ Giants 2:45pm * 7–5 Cain (3–2) Wainwright (2–5) Casilla (9) 41,225 22–16 39 May 18 @ Dodgers 9:10pm 6–5 Jansen (3–0) Salas (0–2) 40,906 22–17 40 May 19 @ Dodgers 9:10pm 6–0 Kershaw (4–1) Westbrook (4–3) 39,383 22–18 41 May 20 @ Dodgers 7:00pm (ESPN) 6–5 Guerra (2–3) Rzepczynski (0–2) Jansen (5) 44,005 22–19 42 May 21 Padres 7:15pm 5–4 Motte (3–1) Cashner (2–3) 40,360 23–19 43 May 22 Padres 7:15pm 4–0 Wainwright (3–5) Vólquez (2–4) 39,151 24–19 44 May 23 Padres 7:15pm 6–3 Lynn (7–1) Suppan (2–3) Motte (8) 40,715 25–19 45 May 24 Phillies 7:15pm 10–9 Valdés (1–0) Salas (0–3) Papelbon (13) 40,135 25–20 46 May 25 Phillies 7:15pm 5–3 (10) Valdés (2–0) Motte (3–2) Papelbon (14) 43,375 25–21 47 May 26 Phillies 6:15pm (Fox) 4–0 Kendrick (1–4) García (3–3) 44,476 25–22 48 May 27 Phillies 1:15pm 8–3 Wainwright (4–5) Halladay (4–5) 42,659 26–22 49 May 28 @ Braves 12:10pm 8–2 Lynn (8–1) Hanson (5–4) 42,126 27–22 50 May 29 @ Braves 6:10pm 5–4 Delgado (3–5) Westbrook (4–4) Kimbrel (14) 26,218 27–23 51 May 30 @ Braves 6:10pm 10–7 Venters (3–2) Rzepczynski (0–3) Kimbrel (15) 28,474 27–24
June   (13-14) (.481) # Date Opponent / Time Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 52 June 1 @ Mets 6:10pm 8–0 Santana (3–2) Wainwright (4–6) 27,069 27–25 53 June 2 @ Mets 3:10pm 5–0 Dickey (8–1) Lynn (8–2) 27,914 27–26 54 June 3 @ Mets 7:05pm (ESPN2) 6–1 Niese (4–2) Westbrook (4–5) 23,559 27–27 55 June 4 @ Mets 12:10pm 5–4 Rzepczynski (1–3) Rauch (3–5) Motte (9) 25,830 28–27 56 June 5 @ Astros 7:05pm 9–8 Harrell (5–4) García (3–4) Myers (14) 18,911 28–28 57 June 6 @ Astros 7:05pm 4–3 Wainwright (5–6) Norris (5–3) Motte (10) 18,517 29–28 58 June 7 @ Astros 7:05pm 14–2 Lynn (9–2) Happ (4–6) 22,265 30–28 59 June 8 Indians 7:15pm 6–2 Tomlin (3–3) Westbrook (4–6) 42,098 30–29 60 June 9 Indians 6:15pm (Fox) 2–0 Lohse (6–1) Masterson (2–6) Motte (11) 41,694 31–29 61 June 10 Indians 1:15pm 4–1 Pestano (3–0) Motte (3–3) Perez (20) 43,400 31–30 62 June 12 White Sox 7:15pm 6–1 Quintana (2–1) Wainwright (5–7) 40,972 31–31 63 June 13 White Sox 7:15pm * 1–0 Lynn (10–2) Peavy (6–2) Motte (12) 40,045 32–31 64 June 14 White Sox 7:15pm * 5–3 Westbrook (5–6) Floyd (4–7) Motte (13) 43,464 33–31 65 June 15 Royals 7:15pm 3–2 Mazzaro (3–1) Lohse (6–2) Broxton (16) 42,001 33–32 66 June 16 Royals 1:15pm 10–7 Boggs (1–1) Collins (4–1) Motte (14) 42,018 34–32 67 June 17 Royals 1:15pm 5–3 (15) Broxton (1–1) Sánchez (0–1) 41,680 34–33 68 June 19 @ Tigers 6:05pm * 6–3 Verlander (7–4) Lynn (10–3) Coke (1) 36,733 34–34 69 June 20 @ Tigers 6:05pm * 3–1 Westbrook (6–6) Porcello (4–5) 38,871 35–34 70 June 21 @ Tigers 12:05pm 2–1 (10) Benoit (1–1) Marte (0–1) 40,776 35–35 71 June 22 @ Royals 7:10pm 11–4 Kelly (1–0) Mazzaro (3–2) 37,902 36–35 72 June 23 @ Royals 1:10pm 8–2 Wainwright (6–7) Mendoza (2–4) 37,240 37–35 73 June 24 @ Royals 1:10pm 11–8 Marte (1–1) Collins (4–2) 29,063 38–35 74 June 25 @ Marlins 6:10pm * 8–7 (10) Marte (2–1) Gaudin (1–1) Motte (15) 27,369 39–35 75 June 26 @ Marlins 6:10pm 5–2 Lohse (7–2) Zambrano (4–6) Motte (16) 25,444 40–35 76 June 27 @ Marlins 6:10pm 5–3 Sánchez (4–6) Freeman (0–1) Bell (15) 28,397 40–36 77 June 29 Pirates 7:15pm 14–5 Correia (4–6) Wainwright (6–8) 45,382 40–37 78 June 30 Pirates 1:15pm 7–3 Karstens (1–2) Lynn (10–4) Hughes (1) 37,162 40–38
July   (15-10) (.600) # Date Opponent / Time Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 79 July 1 Pirates 1:15pm 5–4 Westbrook (7–6) Bédard (4–9) Motte (17) 37,821 41–38 80 July 2 Rockies 7:15pm 9–3 Lohse (8–2) Chatwood (1–1) 39,456 42–38 81 July 3 Rockies 7:15pm 3–2 Francis (2–1) Kelly (1–1) Betancourt (13) 41,701 42–39 82 July 4 Rockies 6:15pm 4–1 Wainwright (7–8) Guthrie (3–8) Motte (18) 42,338 43–39 83 July 5 Rockies 7:15pm 6–2 Lynn (11–4) Friedrich (4–6) Motte (19) 41,751 44–39 84 July 6 Marlins 7:15pm 3–2 Nolasco (8–6) Westbrook (7–7) Bell (19) 46,721 44–40 85 July 7 Marlins 1:15pm 3–2 Lohse (9–2) Zambrano (4–7) Motte (20) 41,312 45–40 86 July 8 Marlins 1:15pm 5–4 Boggs (2–1) Bell (2–5) 38,436 46–40 -- July 10 83rd All-Star Game National League 8,   American League 0   (Kansas City, Missouri;  Kaufmann Stadium) 87 July 13 @ Reds 6:10pm 5–3 Simón (1–1) Wainwright (7–9) Chapman (12) 40,217 46–41 88 July 14 @ Reds 3:05pm (Fox) 3–2 (10) LeCure (3–2) Marte (2–2) 37,583 46–42 89 July 15 @ Reds 7:00pm (ESPN) 4–2 Bailey (8–6) Westbrook (7–8) Chapman (13) 39,280 46–43 90 July 16 @ Brewers 7:10pm 3–2 Motte (4–3) Axford (2–6) 30,128 47–43 91 July 17 @ Brewers 7:10pm 3–2 Wolf (3–6) Kelly (1–2) Rodríguez (2) 30,491 47–44 92 July 18 @ Brewers 1:10pm 4–3 Axford (3–6) Wainwright (7–10) Rodríguez (3) 37,753 47–45 93 July 20 Cubs 7:15pm 4–1 Lohse (10–2) Dempster (5–4) Motte (21) 43,786 48–45 94 July 21 Cubs 6:15pm 12–0 Westbrook (8–8) Germano (0–1) 43,424 49–45 95 July 22 Cubs 1:15pm 7–0 Lynn (12–4) Wood (4–5) 42,411 50–45 96 July 23 Dodgers 7:15pm 5–3 Billingsley (5–9) Kelly (1–3) Jansen (19) 42,806 50–46 97 July 24 Dodgers 7:15pm * 8–2 Wainwright (8–10) Kershaw (7–6) 38,195 51–46 98 July 25 Dodgers 7:15pm * 3–2 (12) Salas (1–3) Wright (4–3) 37,841 52–46 99 July 26 Dodgers 12:45pm 7–4 Westbrook (9–8) Capuano (10–6) Motte (22) 36,607 53–46 100 July 27 @ Cubs 1:20pm 9–6 Lynn (13–4) Wood (4–6) Motte (23) 40,778 54–46 101 July 28 @ Cubs 12:05pm 3–2 Russell (4–0) Kelly (1–4) Mármol (13) 41,276 54–47 102 July 29 @ Cubs 1:20pm 4–2 (10) Russell (5–0) Rosenthal (0–1) 39,534 54–48 103 July 31 @ Rockies 7:40pm 11–6 Lohse (11–2) Francis (3–3) 31,297 55–48
August   (16-13) (.552) # Date Opponent / Time Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 104 August 1 @ Rockies 7:40pm 9–6 Westbrook (10–8) Belisle (3–3) 29,547 56–48 105 August 2 @ Rockies 7:40pm 8–2 Brothers (6–2) Salas (1–4) 29,659 56–49 106 August 3 Brewers 7:15pm * 9–3 Kelly (2–4) Wolf (3–8) 41,505 57–49 107 August 4 Brewers 6:15pm 6–1 Wainwright (9–10) Rogers (0–1) 42,036 58–49 108 August 5 Brewers 7:05pm (ESPN) 3–0 Lohse (12–2) Estrada (0–5) Motte (24) 40,274 59–49 109 August 6 Giants 7:15pm 8–2 Westbrook (11–8) Cain (10–5) 38,652 60–49 110 August 7 Giants 7:15pm 4–2 Zito (9–8) Lynn (13–5) Affeldt (3) 41,293 60–50 111 August 8 Giants 7:15pm 15–0 Vogelsong (10–5) Kelly (2–5) 36,906 60–51 112 August 9 Giants 12:45pm 3–1 Wainwright (10–10) Bumgarner (12–7) Motte (25) 32,810 61–51 113 August 10 @ Phillies 6:05pm * 3–1 Halladay (6–6) Browning (0–1) Papelbon (25) 43,122 61–52 114 August 11 @ Phillies 6:05pm 4–1 Westbrook (12–8) Lee (2–7) Motte (26) 44,233 62–52 115 August 12 @ Phillies 12:35pm 8–7 (11) Horst (1–0) Browning (0–2) 42,877 62–53 116 August 14 Diamondbacks 7:15pm 8–2 Kelly (3–5) Kennedy (10–10) 34,587 63–53 117 August 15 Diamondbacks 7:15pm 5–2 Wainwright (11–10) Saunders (6–9) Motte (27) 33,572 64–53 118 August 16 Diamondbacks 7:15pm 2–1 Hernandez (2–2) Motte (4–4) Putz (23) 36,758 64–54 119 August 17 Pirates 7:15pm 2–1 McDonald (11–5) Westbrook (12–9) Hanrahan (34) 38,689 64–55 120 August 18 Pirates 3:05pm (Fox) 5–4 Browning (1–2) Bédard (7–13) Motte (28) 40,313 65–55 121 August 19 Pirates 1:15pm 6–3 (19) Rodríguez (8–12) Browning (1–3) 43,412 65–56 122 August 21 Astros 7:15pm 7–0 Wainwright (12–10) Harrell (10–9) 35,370 66–56 123 August 22 Astros 7:15pm 4–2 Lohse (13–2) Norris (5–11) Motte (29) 35,198 67–56 124 August 23 Astros 12:45pm 13–5 Westbrook (13–9) Keuchel (1–6) 30,343 68–56 125 August 24 @ Reds 6:10pm 8–5 Kelly (4–5) Latos (10–4) Motte (30) 36,162 69–56 126 August 25 @ Reds 3:05pm (Fox) 8–2 Leake (6–8) García (3–5) 41,680 69–57 127 August 26 @ Reds 12:10pm 8–2 Wainwright (13–10) Bailey (10–9) 31,564 70–57 128 August 27 @ Pirates 6:05pm 4–3 Lohse (14–2) Burnett (15–5) Motte (31) 16,700 71–57 129 August 28 @ Pirates 6:05pm 9–0 McDonald (12–6) Westbrook (13–10) 17,492 71–58 130 August 29 @ Pirates 6:05pm (ESPN) 5–0 Rodríguez (9–13) Kelly (4–6) 19,398 71–59 131 August 30 @ Nationals 6:05pm 8–1 Jackson (8–9) García (3–6) 23,269 71–60 132 August 31 @ Nationals 6:05pm 10–0 Gonzalez (17–7) Wainwright (13–11) 29,499 71–61
September   (15-12) (.556) # Date Opponent / Time Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 133 September 1 @ Nationals 3:05pm (Fox) 10–9 Boggs (3–1) Storen (1–1) Motte (32) 34,004 72–61 134 September 2 @ Nationals 12:35pm 4–3 Mattheus (5–1) Lynn (13–6) Clippard (29) 31,096 72–62 135 September 3 Mets 1:15pm 5–4 Kelly (5–6) McHugh (0–1) Motte (33) 40,952 73–62 136 September 4 Mets 7:15pm 5–1 García (4–6) Harvey (3–4) 34,108 74–62 137 September 5 Mets 12:45pm 6–2 Dickey (18–4) Wainwright (13–12) 30,090 74–63 138 September 7 Brewers 7:15pm 5–4 (13) Kintzler (1–0) Lynn (13–7) Axford (26) 38,648 74–64 139 September 8 Brewers 6:15pm 6–3 Fiers (9–7) Westbrook (13–11) Axford (27) 40,422 74–65 140 September 9 Brewers 1:15pm 5–4 (10) Lynn (14–7) Loe (6–5) 39,919 75–65 141 September 10 @ Padres 9:05pm 11–3 Stults (6–2) García (4–7) 18,081 75–66 142 September 11 @ Padres 9:05pm 6–4 Vólquez (10–10) Wainwright (13–13) Gregerson (6) 29,887 75–67 143 September 12 @ Padres 5:35pm 3–2 Richard (13–12) Lohse (14–3) Gregerson (7) 16,442 75–68 144 September 13 @ Dodgers 9:10pm 2–1 Lynn (15–7) Rodriguez (0–1) Motte (34) 43,309 76–68 145 September 14 @ Dodgers 9:10pm 8–5 Tolleson (2–1) Rosenthal (0–2) 40,167 76–69 146 September 15 @ Dodgers 8:10pm 4–3 Belisario (6–1) Motte (4–5) 42,449 76–70 147 September 16 @ Dodgers 3:10pm 5–2 (12) Miller (1–0) Ely (0–2) Motte (35) 35,754 77–70 148 September 18 Astros 7:15pm 4–1 Lohse (15–3) Abad (0–5) Motte (36) 35,422 78–70 149 September 19 Astros 7:15pm 5–0 Lynn (16–7) Harrell (10–10) Motte (37) 39,062 79–70 150 September 20 Astros 12:45pm 5–4 García (5–7) Norris (5–13) Motte (38) 34,788 80–70 151 September 21 @ Cubs 1:20pm 5–4 (11) Cabrera (1–1) Kelly (5–7) 29,100 80–71 152 September 22 @ Cubs 12:05pm 5–4 (10) Boggs (4–1) Chapman (0–1) Motte (39) 40,298 81–71 153 September 23 @ Cubs 1:20pm 6–3 Lohse (16–3) Germano (2–9) Motte (40) 33,354 82–71 154 September 24 @ Astros 7:05pm 6–1 Lynn (17–7) Abad (0–6) 12,584 83–71 155 September 25 @ Astros 7:05pm 4–0 García (6–7) Harrell (10–11) 16,943 84–71 156 September 26 @ Astros 7:05pm 2–0 Norris (6–13) Carpenter (0–1) López (8) 18,712 84–72 157 September 28 Nationals 7:15pm 12–2 Wainwright (14–13) Jackson (9–11) 39,166 85–72 158 September 29 Nationals 6:15pm 6–4 (10) Storen (3–1) Freeman (0–2) Stammen (1) 42,264 85–73 159 September 30 Nationals 1:15pm 10–4 Lynn (18–7) Detwiler (10–8) 40,084 86–73
OCTOBER   (2-1) (.667) # Date Opponent / Time Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 160 October 1 Reds 7:15pm 4–2 García (7–7) Arroyo (12–10) Motte (41) 38,480 87–73 161 October 2 Reds 7:15pm 3–1 Latos (14–4) Carpenter (0–2) Chapman (38) 39,644 87–74 162 October 3 Reds 7:15pm 1–0 Marte (3–2) Broxton (4–5) Motte (42) 42,509 88–74

See also

Regular Season Schedule (calendar style)
Regular Season Schedule (sortable text)
National Broadcast Schedule (all teams), EDT

Postseason Game Log

2012 Postseason Game Log
NLDS   (3–2) (.600) # Date Opponent / Time Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 1 October 7 Nationals 2–3 0–1 2 October 8 Nationals 12–4 1–1 3 October 10 @ Nationals 8–0 2–1 4 October 11 @ Nationals 1–2 2–2 5 October 12 @ Nationals 9–7 3–2
NLCS   (3–4) (.429) # Date Opponent / Time Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 1 October 14 @ Giants 6–4 1–0 2 October 15 @ Giants 1–7 1–1 3 October 17 Giants 3–1 2–1 4 October 18 Giants 8–3 3–1 5 October 19 Giants 0–5 3–2 6 October 21 @ Giants 1–6 3–3 7 October 22 @ Giants 0–9 3–4

Cardinals Record When

(through October 3, final)

Situation	W-L Record	Pct.
Home	50-31	.617
Away	38-43	.469
Scoring first	58-26	.687
Opponent scores first	30-48	.385
Scoring more than 3 runs	76-19	.800
Scoring 3 runs	7-16	.304
Scoring fewer than 3 runs	5-39	.114
Leading after 7 innings	78-5	.940
Tied after 7 innings	5-12	.294
Trailing after 7 innings	5-57	.081
Leading after 8 innings	80-6	.930
Tied after 8 innings	4-10	.286
Trailing after 8 innings	4-58	.065
In errorless games	52-35	.598
In error-made games	36-39	.480
Out-hit opponents	73-13	.849
Same hits as opponents	4-7	.364
Out-hit by opponents	11-54	.169
Extra innings	6-12	.333
Shutouts	10-11	.476
One-run games	21-26	.447
One or Two-run games	28-43	.394
Monday games	13-4	.765
Tuesday games	14-11	.560
Wednesday games	17-9	.654
Thursday games	8-8	.500
Friday games	9-17	.346
Saturday games	12-14	.462
Sunday games	15-11	.577

Stat	Number	Total	Pct.
Runs via HR	259	765	.339
Opp. Runs via HR	230	648	.355

Postseason

Wild Card Game

Friday, October 5, 2012

Main article: 2012 National League Wild Card Game

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis Cardinals	0	0	0	3	0	1	2	0	0	6	6	0
Atlanta Braves	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	3	12	3
WP: Kyle Lohse (1–0)   LP: Kris Medlen (0–1)   Sv: Jason Motte (1) Home runs: STL: Matt Holliday (1) ATL: David Ross (1)

Time: 3:09 (19 min. delay)
Attendance: 52,631^[57]
Official Box Score

Division Series

Main article: 2012 National League Division Series

Game 1, October 7

3:07 p.m. (EDT) at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Washington	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	3	8	2
St. Louis	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	3	1
WP: Ryan Mattheus (1–0)   LP: Mitchell Boggs (0–1)   Sv: Drew Storen (1)

Game 2, October 8

4:37 p.m. (EDT) at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Washington	0	1	0	0	2	0	1	0	0	4	10	2
St. Louis	0	4	1	2	0	1	0	4	X	12	13	0
WP: Lance Lynn (1–0)   LP: Jordan Zimmermann (0–1) Home runs: WSH: Ryan Zimmerman (1), Adam LaRoche (1) STL: Allen Craig (1), Daniel Descalso (1), Carlos Beltrán 2 (2)

Game 3, October 10

1:07 p.m. (EDT) at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis	1	3	0	0	0	1	1	2	0	8	14	1
Washington	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
WP: Chris Carpenter (1–0)   LP: Edwin Jackson (0–1) Home runs: STL: Pete Kozma (1) WSH: None

Game 4, October 11

4:07 p.m. (EDT) at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	0
Washington	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	3	1
WP: Drew Storen (1-0)   LP: Lance Lynn (1-1) Home runs: STL: None WSH: Adam LaRoche (2), Jayson Werth (1)

Game 5, October 12

8:37 p.m. (EDT) at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis	0	0	0	1	2	0	1	1	4	9	11	0
Washington	3	0	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	7	11	0
WP: Jason Motte (1–0)   LP: Drew Storen (1–1) Home runs: STL: Daniel Descalso (2) WSH: Ryan Zimmerman (2), Bryce Harper (1), Michael Morse (1)

Time: 3:49
Attendance: 45,966^[58]
Official Box Score

Composite line score

2012 NLDS (3–2): St. Louis Cardinals over Washington Nationals

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis Cardinals	1	9	2	3	2	2	2	7	4	32	44	2
Washington Nationals	3	3	3	0	2	0	1	3	1	16	39	5
Total attendance: 228,293   Average attendance: 45,659

National League Championship Series

Main article: 2012 National League Championship Series

Game 1

Sunday, October 14, 2012 – 8:15 p.m. (EDT) at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California^[59]

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis	0	2	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	6	8	0
San Francisco	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	7	1
WP: Edward Mujica (1–0)   LP: Madison Bumgarner (0–1)   Sv: Jason Motte (1) Home runs: STL: David Freese (1), Carlos Beltrán (1) SF: None

In Game 1, Carlos Beltrán hit his 14th career postseason homer and David Freese also went deep as the Cardinals took a 6–4 lead over the San Francisco Giants after six innings of the NL championship series opener. Freese hit a two-run homer in the second and Beltrán followed with one in the fourth as the Cardinals knocked out Madison Bumgarner with six runs in 3+2⁄3 innings.

Bumgarner breezed through a perfect first inning but ran into trouble in the second when Yadier Molina singled on an 0–2 pitch with one out. Freese then drove a 3–2 pitch over the wall in left-center to give the Cardinals a 2–0 lead. That gave Freese 25 career RBIs in the postseason and tied him with Molina for third most ever for the Cardinals. Bumgarner then couldn't make it out of the fourth. Descalso doubled and scored on Pete Kozma's double. Jon Jay added a two-out RBI single and Beltrán ended Bumgarner's night with the homer.

George Kontos got out of the fourth and Tim Lincecum pitched two hitless innings as he once again excelled in his new role out of the bullpen.

Lance Lynn struggled to hold onto that lead in his first postseason start after 10 career relief appearances. After starting the game with three hitless innings, Lynn ran into trouble with two outs and a runner on first in the fourth. Hunter Pence and Brandon Belt followed with singles to drive in San Francisco's first run. They both scored on Gregor Blanco's triple. Brandon Crawford followed with an RBI double to make it 6–4 and Lynn left after walking pinch-hitter Aubrey Huff. Joe Kelly got out of the jam when second baseman Daniel Descalso made a diving stop of Ángel Pagán's grounder up the middle.

No runs were scored for the remainder of the contest.

Game 2

Monday, October 15, 2012 – 8:07 p.m. (EDT) at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California^[60]

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	2
San Francisco	1	0	0	4	0	0	0	2	X	7	12	0
WP: Ryan Vogelsong (1–0)   LP: Chris Carpenter (0–1) Home runs: STL: None SF: Ángel Pagán (1)

Game 3

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 – 4:07 p.m. (EDT) at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri^[61]

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
San Francisco	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	9	1
St. Louis	0	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	X	3	6	0
WP: Kyle Lohse (1–0)   LP: Matt Cain (0–1)   Sv: Jason Motte (2) Home runs: SF: None STL: Matt Carpenter (1)

A 3-hour 28 min rain delay was longer than the time of the game itself at 3:02.

Game 4

Thursday, October 18, 2012 – 8:07 p.m. (EDT) at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri^[62]

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
San Francisco	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	3	6	1
St. Louis	2	0	0	0	2	2	2	0	X	8	12	0
WP: Adam Wainwright (1-0)   LP: Tim Lincecum (0-1) Home runs: SF: Hunter Pence (1), Pablo Sandoval (1) STL: None

The second-largest crowd of the year 47,062 saw the Cardinals win, 8-3. Adam Wainwright went seven strong innings, giving up only four hits and one run, the home run to Hunter Pence, walking none and striking out five.

Game 5

Friday, October 19, 2012 – 8:07 p.m. (EDT) at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri^[63]

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
San Francisco	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	1	0	5	6	0
St. Louis	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	1
WP: Barry Zito (1–0)   LP: Lance Lynn (0–1) Home runs: SF: Pablo Sandoval (2) STL: None

Game 6

Sunday, October 21, 2012 – 7:45 p.m. (EDT) at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California^[64]

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	5	1
San Francisco	1	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	X	6	9	1
WP: Ryan Vogelsong (2–0)   LP: Chris Carpenter (0–2)

Game 7

Monday, October 22, 2012 – 8:07 p.m. (EDT) at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California^[65]

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	2
San Francisco	1	1	5	0	0	0	1	1	X	9	14	0
WP: Matt Cain (1–1)   LP: Kyle Lohse (1–1) Home runs: STL: None SF: Brandon Belt (1)

Composite line score

2012 NLCS (4–3): San Francisco Giants over St. Louis Cardinals

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
St. Louis Cardinals	2	3	2	4	2	3	3	0	0	19	50	6
San Francisco Giants	3	6	6	12	0	0	1	5	2	35	63	4
Total attendance: 311,326   Average attendance: 44,475

Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Memphis Redbirds	Pacific Coast League	Ron Warner
AA	Springfield Cardinals	Texas League	Mike Shildt
A	Palm Beach Cardinals	Florida State League	Johnny Rodríguez
A	Quad Cities River Bandits	Midwest League	Luis Aguayo
A-Short Season	Batavia Muckdogs	New York–Penn League	Dann Bilardello
Rookie	Johnson City Cardinals	Appalachian League	Oliver Marmol
Rookie	GCL Cardinals	Gulf Coast League	Steve Turco

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Springfield

Draft selections

St. Louis Cardinals 2012 Draft Selections

References

1. "Matheny called 'perfect ' fit for Cardinals". STLtoday.com. November 14, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
2. Cards retain Duncan, McGwire, Oquendo: Aldrete takes over as bench coach, Maloney new first-base coach, MLB.com (November 16, 2011)
3. St. Louis Cardinals' tweet, (December 2, 2011)
4. Not in the Cards: Pujols departs for Angels: Star opts for more lucrative 10-year deal in Southern California, MLB.com (December 8, 2011)
5. Albert Pujols, Baseball-Reference.com ('Salaries')
6. Former teammates stunned by Pujols' decision, MLB.com (December 8, 2011)
7. Furcal re-ups with Cardinals for two years, MLB.com (December 10, 2011)
8. Cardinals shaping roster for 2012, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (December 13, 2011)
9. Cardinals sign All-Star Beltran, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (December 22, 2011)
10. Molina opts for long-term deal with Redbirds: Catcher signs five-year, $75 million contract with mutual option March 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, MLB.com (March 1, 2012)
11. Cardinals lay groundwork for more moves, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (December 15, 2011)
12. Cards invite 19 players to Major League camp, MLB.com (January 14, 2012)
13. Cardinals set 25-man roster for opening night, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (March 30, 2012)
14. Cardinals secure six series with win over Pirates, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (April 22, 2012)
15. Cardinals to retire La Russa's number: Former skipper will be honored before May 11 game vs. Braves, MLB.com (May 2, 2012)
16. Red-hot Beltran named NL Player of Week: Cardinals right fielder rapped six homers, had six-RBI game, MLB.com (May 14, 2012)
17. Wainwright throws first shutout since 2010, MLB.com (May 23, 2012)
18. In Beltran's return to NY, Cardinals get no-hit: Throwing 134 pitches, Santana first Mets pitcher to achieve feat, MLB.com (June 1, 2012)
19. Santana makes history against Cardinals, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (June 1, 2012)
20. Prewitt, Eric (June 12, 1990). "Ryan Express: 6th No-Hitter; At 43, Extends Record, Beats A's". The Washington Post. p. C1. Nolan Ryan...extended his major league record by pitching a sixth no-hitter...leading the Texas Rangers to a 5-0 triumph over the World Series champion Oakland Athletics
21. McCarron, Anthony (June 2, 2012). "FINALLY! After 50 seasons, Johan Amazes Mets by delivering franchise's first no-hitter". New York Daily News. p. 32. Santana got the Cardinals' David Freese to swing and miss at a changeup–what else?–for strike three, completing the first no-hitter in Mets' history in their 8,020th game, an 8−-0 victory over the world champion St. Louis Cardinals
22. Cards place Garcia on DL, bring back Salas, MLB.com (June 7, 2012)
23. "Beltran is first switch-hitter with 300 HRs, SBs: Outfielder stole second base in second inning on Friday". MLB.com. June 15, 2012.
24. Beltran, Furcal to start among four Cards All-Stars: Molina headed to fourth straight Midsummer Classic; Lynn a first-timer, MLB.com (July 1, 2012)
25. Beltran to be participant in Home Run Derby: Cardinals outfielder, and former Royal, to blast off at Kauffman Stadium on July 9, MLB.com (July 1, 2012)
26. Molina put on bereavement list, to miss ASG: Cruz starts behind plate Friday; Anderson recalled from Triple-A Memphis, MLB.com (July 7, 2012)
27. "Darvish and Freese win, going to All-Star Game". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. July 5, 2012.
28. "La Russa's last game is a first". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. July 11, 2012.
29. In La Russa's swan song, Cards send him out on top: Holliday, Furcal each notch hit, score run as NL cruises to 8-0 win vs AL, MLB.com (July 11, 2012)
30. La Russa relishes his final game from the dugout: Retired skipper goes out with a win at 2012 All-Star Game, MLB.com (July 11, 2012)
31. Carpenter shut down, to have surgery, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (July 3, 2012)
32. Cards' Carpenter to undergo season-ending surgery, MLB.com (July 3, 2012)
33. Rosenthal makes history as 2,000th Cardinal, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (July 18, 2012)
34. Cards win 12-0 with historic inning, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (July 21, 2012)
35. Cards tie club, MLB records with historic inning: St. Louis matches franchise mark with 12-run frame, which features seven doubles, MLB.com (July 22, 2012)
36. Mujica comes to Cards in deal with Marlins, MLB.com (July 31, 2012)
37. "Berkman on DL for 3rd time". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. August 3, 2012.
38. "Cards work 12 innings to regain Wild Card lead". MLB.com. September 16, 2012.
39. "Cardinals sign on with State College affiliate". MLB.com. September 17, 2012.
40. "Cards bringing Class A team back to Peoria". MLB.com. September 19, 2012.
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42. "Carpenter no stranger to high-pressure spots". MLB.com. September 20, 2012.
43. "Cubs spoil Carp's return, win in 11th". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. September 21, 2012.
44. "Opening Day for Carp, Christmas for Cards". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. September 21, 2012.
45. "Carp's return impressive, but Cards stunned late: Right-hander allows five hits and two runs over five innings in return". MLB.com. September 21, 2012.
46. "Motte named NL Player of the Week for first time". MLB.com. September 24, 2012.
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48. "Wild Cards: St. Louis clinches late after loss". MLB.com. October 3, 2012.
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50. "With Cards in, Miller to make starting debut". MLB.com. October 3, 2012.
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52. Cards' first game of '12 in Marlins' new park: Indians, White Sox and Royals visit in Interleague Play, MLB.com (September 14, 2011)
53. Cards will be in national spotlight, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (March 30, 2012)
54. ESPN to broadcast Cards' season opener March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, MLB.com (January 11, 2012)
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56. 20 Cardinals games blacked out on AT&T U-verse, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (March 30, 2012)
57. "Call of the Wild: Cards earn berth in NLDS: St. Louis takes advantage of three Atlanta errors, infield fly ruling". MLB.com. October 5, 2012.
58. "Wizard of Koz: Late magic lifts Cards to NLCS--Shortstop's single caps four-run ninth as Redbirds stun Nationals". MLB.com. October 12, 2012.
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61. "San Francisco Giants at St. Louis Cardinals – October 17, 2012 | MLB.com Play-by-Play". MLB.com. October 17, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
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65. "St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco Giants – October 22, 2012 | MLB.com Play-by-Play". MLB.com. October 22, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2012 St. Louis Cardinals season.

• Official website

• 2012 St. Louis Cardinals season Schedule
• St. Louis Cardinals 2012 season at Baseball Reference
• St. Louis Cardinals TEAM AUDIT at Baseball Prospectus