The style of the game the Cardinals want to play, said they would play, and so rarely did play last season, was all they needed to start 2017 against the reigning World Series champions.
F The sharp, taut style of game the Cardinals want to play this season, said they would play, worked all spring to play, and so rarely did play last season was there for eight innings against the reigning World Series champions.
When it faltered in the ninth, they had the power to overcome.
Randal Grichuk homered in the eighth inning to give the Cardinals some breathing room and when that collapsed, he delivered a walk-off blast to the gap for a 4-3 victory against Cubs on opening night at Busch Stadium.