Since last October’s death of outfielder Oscar Taveras in a one-car auto crash, the Cardinals have been punched in the gut with the loss, obviously lesser losses, of one prominent player after another. Adam Wainwright, Jordan Walden, Matt Adams, Jon Jay, Matt Belisle, Matt Holliday, Randal Grichuk and most recently Yadier Molina.
Add Carlos Martinez to that list, perhaps, as the Cardinals’ decision as to which of their five starters would not be starting in the first round of the postseason might have been made for them Friday night. Martinez threw just seven pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium before having to leave the game with was announced as shoulder tightness.