Three players from the Cardinals have achieved notable career accomplishments when playing against the Cleveland team.
The St. Louis Cardinals recently completed a three-game sweep against the Cleveland Guardians, with three key players - Phil Maton, Ryan Helsley, and Nolan Arenado - achieving significant career milestones.
In the first game of the series, Phil Maton recorded his 500th career strikeout. The milestone came in the eighth inning when Maton struck out Lane Thomas on a curveball, followed by another strikeout to set up closer Ryan Helsley. Helsley, meanwhile, secured his 100th career save in the same game, working through the top of the Guardians' lineup to earn the milestone save. With this achievement, Helsley ranks sixth on the Cardinals' career save list, 21 saves behind Trevor Rosenthal.
Nolan Arenado also made his mark during the series, notching his 1,900th career hit and his 400th career double. The hitting milestones came in separate games against the White Sox and the Guardians, respectively.
The series was not without its dramatic moments. In a game against the White Sox, an error by the right fielder in the sixth inning allowed Arenado to reach third base. The Cardinals trailed 6-1 early in the second game but managed a comeback, winning 9-6. The Guardians, in turn, saw an error in the sixth inning extend their error streak to 10 straight games.
Despite lower expectations for the season, the Cardinals continue to fight no matter the score, their determination evident in their successful series sweep. With Arenado's energy, Maton and Helsley's abilities in the bullpen, and the team's resilient spirit, the Cardinals aim to return to the postseason for the first time since 2022.
[1] Source: St. Louis Cardinals Official Website [4] Source: MLB.com Game Recaps
In the context of the series, Phil Maton's curveball led to his 500th career strikeout, a milestone achieved in a game against the Cleveland Guardians that subsequently set up Ryan Helsley for his 100th career save in Major League Baseball (MLB). Throughout the series, Nolan Arenado demonstrated his prowess by notching both his 1,900th career hit and his 400th career double, significant achievements in the world of sports.
