CB Bucknor. (Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
The St. Louis Cardinals dropped Friday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds with second place in the NL Central in sight.
The Cardinals were just a half-game back of the Reds for second in the NL Central heading into the night. It also gave them an opportunity to jump the Reds in the NL Wild Card standings.
It’s been a tough season for St. Louis, which is looking for pitching help both without Jack Flaherty healthy and to carry them into 2022 and beyond. The Cardinals’ rotation depth has been tested this season, and they’ve failed miserably.
On Friday, with Wade LeBlanc on the mound, it was more of the same. LeBlanc made it just four innings, and gave up eight hits and three runs. It wasn’t an awful outing, mainly because Mike Shildt pulled LeBlanc before it had an opportunity to get out of hand.
Cardinals fans blame home plate umpire CB Bucknor for loss to Reds
Despite many factors that played into the loss to Cincinnati, most notably bad pitching, Cardinals fans blamed Bucknor primarily for the defeat.
There were many, many more.
Cardinals fans have a decent point, as there were several controversial calls that extended at-bats in critical moments.
However, St. Louis has had far too many excuses so far this season. A team this talented shouldn’t be on the outside looking in at the playoff picture, period.