WASHINGTON — There will be times as the Cardinals put an emphasis on development and future considerations when an encore start begins long before the game and takes into consideration what the coaches see beyond the box score, even in batting practice.
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Photos: Cardinals rally to win in extras at Nationals
Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt celebrates with third baseman Nolan Gorman after scoring a run during the first inning of a against the Nationals on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington.
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington.
Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson rounds third base and scores during the first inning of a game against the Nationals on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington.
Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington.
Washington Nationals' Daylen Lile hits an RBI single during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington.
Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington.
A Washington Nationals groundskeeper attends the field before a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington.
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Nasim Nunez (26) dives back to first base in front of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) during a pick off attempt during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Thomas Saggese (25) returns to the dugout after being thrown out at second base during a stolen base attempt against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11) takes his batting gloves off after striking out against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore (32) prepares to throw a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals head coach Blake Butera watches from the dugout during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Nasim Nunez (26) stops while running towards third base after stealing second base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) rounds third base on his way to score a run against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore (32) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Nolan Gorman (16) is tagged out by Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) while trying to steal second base during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) dives head first into home to score a run against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli (24) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore (32) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder James Wood (29) celebrates scoring a run with shortstop CJ Abrams (5) against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli (24) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Nasim Nunez (26) makes a catch for an out against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder James Wood (29) rounds third base on his way to score a run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli (24) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder James Wood (29) crosses home plate to score a run in front of St. Louis Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages (43) during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker celebrates after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington.
St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt celebrates after hitting an RBI double during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington.
Cardinals outfielder Nathan Church celebrates with shortstop Masyn Winn after Church hit a home run during the eighth inning of a game against the Nationals on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington.
St. Louis Cardinals' Masyn Winn scores during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington.
St. Louis Cardinals' Thomas Saggese hits an RBI double during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington.
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder James Wood (29) steals second base as St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt (26) attempts the tag during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) sprints towards home plate against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Nathan Church (27) reacts after hitting a home run against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Gordon Graceffo (44) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Nathan Church (27) celebrates hitting a home run with shortstop Masyn Winn (0) against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) is hit by a pitch thrown by Washington Nationals pitcher Paxton Shutlz (75) during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) jogs to home plate after hitting a home run against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt (26) fields a ground ball against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Joey Wiemer (21) leaps for the ball at the fence against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Nathan Church (27) reacts after hitting a home run against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher PJ Poulin (50) reacts after a strike out against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder James Wood (29) celebrates scoring a run with third baseman Brady House (12) against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher PJ Poulin (50) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Cardinals reliever George Soriano pitches during the eighth inning of a game against the Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher PJ Poulin (50) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Nolan Gorman (16) dives into third base in front of Washington Nationals third baseman Brady House (12) during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals manager Blake Butera gestures to an umpire after visiting the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile (4) runs to home plate to score a run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Paxton Schultz (75) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) drives a fly ball during the fifth inning of a game against the Nationals on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) slides safely at second base after stealing the base before St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt (26) can apply the tag during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile (4) looses his helmet while sprinting to third base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Nationals center fielder Jacob Young (30) is tagged out by Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) after a bunt attempt during the fourth inning of a game Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli (24) walks back to the dugout after being relieved against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Paxton Schultz (75) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Curtis Mead (45) walks back to the dugout after hitting a home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Nasim Nunez (26) hits the balling play against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Curtis Mead (45) tosses the ball to Washington Nationals' Cade Cavalli (24) for an out at first base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore (32) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
