Cardinals strike out 14 times — three each by Goldschmidt, Ozuna and DeJong — and suffer a 7-4 loss in Game 4 of the NLCS. Starter Hudson, hurt by two misplays, is knocked out after only 15 pitches. Washington heads to World Series for first time in 51-season history of Expos/Nationals franchise. 

Check out the images from Post-Dispatch photographers David Carson and Robert Cohen.

Washington Nationals' Howie Kendrick is safe at second as St. Louis Cardinals' Kolten Wong can't handle the ball during the first inning of Game 4 of the baseball National League Championship Series Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo)

Thirty years ago this summer, a bipartisan flock of Cardinal fans -- one from New Orleans, another from deep within the Democratic party, and a handful from newspapers -- founded a group, but its membership and stories are fading.

Washington outpitched, outplayed, outmaneuvered and outclassed the Cardinals so outlandishly in Game 3 that they’re left with one almost inescapable outcome: The Cards' season, like their offense, is poised to run out. 

WASHINGTON — A day after readily listing many of the reasons not to alter the lineup, not to rewrite the group of players that, he pointed out, had scored 10 runs in a single inning a week ago, Cardinals manager Mike Shildt found one reason to make a change.

The Cardinals lost Game 3 by a score of 8-1. But before it was a blowout, it was a baseball game, and a game of inches. And now one of what-ifs.

Bring your Cards and MLB questions and comments to a live chat with Post-Dispatch baseball writer Derrick Goold at 1 p.m. 

Max Scherzer followed S Aníbal Sánchez's near no-hitter with a try of his own, and the stingy Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 on Saturday for a 2-0 lead in the NL Championship Series.

For the second time in a week, Dakota Hudson will start a game Tuesday night for the Cardinals with his team facing elimination in a playoff series.

'Small ball' plan fails as Cardinals draw no walks and strike out 16 times against Strasburg and the Washington bullpen. The Nationals score three of their four runs in the third off Flaherty after left fielder Ozuna misses a sliding catch, and from there they coast to a 3-0 lead in the NLCS.

Check out the images from Post-Dispatch photographers David Carson and Robert Cohen.

St. Louis Cardinals' Marcell Ozuna can't catch a ball hit by Washington Nationals' Anthony Rendon during the third inning of Game 3 of the baseball National League Championship Series Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, in Washington. Adam Eaton scored on the play. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Sports columnist Ben Frederickson presents five numbers Cardinals fans should know heading into the Jack Flaherty vs. Stephen Strasburg matchup in Game 3 of the NLCS.

WASHINGTON — It was the smallest of sample sizes. But, hey, the postseason is the epitome of a small-sample size, so if we're embracing small-sample sizes, let's take a look back at one single game, Sept. 16, Stephen Strasburg vs. the St. Louis Cardinals.

Through the first two games of the best-of-seven series, the Cardinals have scored one run. Six of the eight position players who have started each game are hitless in the series. And in Game 3 on Monday night they face Stephen Strasburg and his 1.32 postseason ERA.

WASHINGTON — Nine hundred fifty-three national anthems.

WASHINGTON — Jack Flaherty, the new Cardinals ace, often has cited the guidance he has received from other club aces such as Adam Wainwright, not long removed from that role; Chris Carpenter, a little less recently the top pitcher on the club; and historic ace Bob Gibson.

On Saturday night, in a nearly empty Busch Stadium under a nearly full moon, the Cardinals’ ground crew dutifully sprayed sluicing hoses, preparing the field for a game that might not happen.