ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ Cardinals beat writer Daniel Guerrero joined columnist Lynn Worthy to dive into some individual performances as well as what to make of the bullpen struggles.
Photos: Cardinals hold off Astros for win in Game 2 of series in Houston
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder José FermÃn (15) reacts after hitting a home run to left field against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) celebrates after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder José FermÃn (15) is congratulated by second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) after hitting a home run to left field against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder José FermÃn (15) hits a home run to left field against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Taylor Trammell (26) hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) hits a two-run home run to left field against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Nolan Gorman (16) hits a single against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run to left field against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) runs towards home plate after a home run to center field against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) is congratulated by shortstop Carlos Correa (1) after hitting a home run to center field against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Nolan Gorman (16) hits an RBI single against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera (48) crosses home plate to score a run against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (48) is hit by a pitch delivered by Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43, not shown) during the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) rounds second base after hitting a home run to center field against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) hits a home run to center field against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (3) works out prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Josh Hader (71) works out prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Jake Meyers (6) prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros manager Joe Espada (19) prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros manager Joe Espada (19) watches Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27, not shown) warm up prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) warms up prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera (48) celebrates with pitcher Riley O'Brien celebrates after winning a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Houston Astros' Shay Whitcomb hits a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Houston Astros' Shay Whitcomb (14) celebrates with Christian Vázquez (2) after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Riley O'Brien celebrates after winning a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Houston Astros' Shay Whitcomb (14) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals' Ramón UrÃas (29) returns to the dugout after scoring as Houston Astros pitcher Colton Gordon, right, returns to the mound during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve throws to first over St. Louis Cardinals' Nathan Church (27) for a double play during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals' Alec Burleson celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals' Alec Burleson celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals' Alec Burleson (41) celebrates wit designated hitter Nolan Gorman (16) after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn, left, catches a foul ball hit by Houston Astros' Isaac Paredes during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals' José FermÃn, left, celebrates with first base coach Stubby Clapp (82) as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game Houston Astros in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The Cardinals' José FermÃn (15) celebrates with Iván Herrera after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Astros in Houston on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Houston Astros third baseman Carlos Correa throws to first to out St. Louis Cardinals' Ramón UrÃas during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Houston Astros third baseman Carlos Correa, left, celebrates with first baseman Christian Walker (8) after the top of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals' Iván Herrera (48) doubles ahead of a throw to Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Houston Astros' Cam Smith dives back to first base during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera throws to first to out Houston Astros' Isaac Paredes during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals' Masyn Winn (0) returns to the dugout after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals' Masyn Winn runs the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn throws to first during the second inning against the Astros in Houston on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals' Masyn Winn (0) celebrates with designated hitter Nolan Gorman (16) after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals' Iván Herrera, center, and JJ Wetherholt (26) celebrate with Masyn Winn (0) after scoring during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez hits a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Nolan Gorman prepares to bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates with Christian Walker (8) after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Houston, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros catcher Christian Vasquez (2) throws a fielded ball to first base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Nathan Church (27) bunts against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) jogs to the dugout after scoring a run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27), shortstop Carlos Correa (1), third baseman Shay Whitcomb (14) and first baseman Christian Walker (8) meet during a pitching change against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals players congratulate each other after the final out against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Shay Whitcomb (14) hits a three-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Riley O'Brien (61) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Shay Whitcomb (14) reacts after hitting a three-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher George Soriano (65) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Shay Whitcomb (14) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a three-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Riley O'Brien (61) is congratulated by St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (48) after the final out against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
