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Hey howdy hey, readers. Welcome to the latest edition of the weekly Cardinals question-and-answer with the beat writers of the Post-Dispatch. 

Baseball writer Daniel Guerrero here. This is my first chance at responding to questions in this format since the switch was made from chats. Thanks for the questions submitted throughout the week. There were a few directed specifically for my Post-Dispatch colleague/beatmate/friend Derrick Goold that I'll leave in the inbox for when he has his next go-around to answer, so I don’t disappoint any readers looking to hear from that DG instead of this one. 

SAN DIEGO — The feeling he got in the clubhouse after the Cardinals came one strike away from taking another close series from a supposedly far better team wasn’t one of being content to win two of four, to smother a good lineup or to lead in every game.

There was a seething to the sentiment manager Oli Marmol sensed.

SAN DIEGO — The choice Cardinals manager Oli Marmol faced late in Saturday’s close game against the Padres at Petco Park was whether to use veteran reliever Ryne Stanek when down by a run to chase San Diego or stash the right-hander for possible use with a lead Sunday.

The options, let alone his decision, reveal the footing Stanek has regained in the bullpen and the roles solidifying due to recent performance.

SAN DIEGO — Even experienced tightrope walkers — like the Cardinals have become with so many taut, close games so early in this season — have their missteps.

A wobble in the ninth became a fall in the 10th.

SAN DIEGO — In the wake of getting the tying run into scoring position against the best closer in the majors and forcing San Diego’s Mason Miller to strike out four just to escape the ninth inning, the Cardinals offer two vantage points for the same loss.

The starting pitcher looked back to his mistake that allowed the lead.

SAN DIEGO — The Cardinals’ preferred approach this weekend against the most overpowering reliever in the majors was to avoid facing him at all.

That wasn’t an option Saturday.

SAN DIEGO — When JJ Wetherholt made contact with the bases-loaded, almost nothing about the hit was what he wanted until suddenly everything about it was better than he hoped.

“I was really trying to hit the ball to left because I was really early on that guy, and I tried to get under it, and I hit the ball to right on the ground,� the Cardinals rookie said, bemused. “So it’s not exactly what I wanted. But it found a hole. I’m kind of just going around the bases and as soon as I saw (the ball) go under his glove just started running.�

SAN DIEGO — Any time they line up behind Michael McGreevy, the Cardinals’ latest in a long line of groundball pitchers, the infielders know they’re going to be busy. Rookie JJ Wetherholt described how he he’ll hear a specific pitch called on the PitchCom, trust that McGreevy will execute it, and that he'll be chasing a groundball in few moments.

The pitch? Changeup.

SAN DIEGO — First there was the elation and entertainment from one of the youngest players on the roster dashing around the bases and racing his way to a little league feat.

And then there were all the career highs.

SAN DIEGO — From across the clubhouse, shortstop Masyn Winn shouted some suggestions for what teammate and closer Riley O’Brien could tell reporters to explain his ruthless, expedient ninth inning Thursday night against the Padres.

“Tell ’em Ry,� Winn yelled. “I throw gaaaaaaaaaaas.�