The Cardinals are turning to Quinn Mathews for Sunday’s home finale, but the bigger lineup note is who’s not starting: Masyn Winn is getting a breather.
St. Louis is trying to avoid being swept by the Washington Nationals after dropping the opener of its final home series of the 2026 season. The Cardinals enter Sunday at 37-43 at Busch Stadium, already locked into a losing home record, and they’ll need to win the rest of their games just to finish above .500 overall.
Jeff Jones of the Belleville News Democrat posted the lineup, and Winn’s name was missing from it.
Home game 81:Wetherholt 4Herrera DHBurleson 3Walker 9Bernal 2Saggese 6Torres 7Fermín 5Church 8Mathews 1
Thomas Saggese gets the start at shortstop in Winn’s place, with JJ Wetherholt back at second base and Jose Fermin handling third. Winn, meanwhile, remains one of the most valuable defenders in the sport at his position, but his year at the plate has lagged behind. The 24-year-old is hitting .235/.309/.320 with five home runs, 55 RBI and a .629 OPS.
Winn earned his first Gold Glove last season after committing only three errors at shortstop. He also missed time this year after suffering a right thumb fracture.
Since making his major league debut in 2023, he has been St. Louis’ starter at shortstop.
There’s still a chance Winn could be available later in the game as a defensive replacement or pinch runner, and there’s no indication he’s unavailable for Sunday. He could also be back in the lineup by Tuesday in Pittsburgh.
After Sunday, the Cardinals will have Monday off before heading to PNC Park for a three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates. They’ll finish the season at American Family Field against the Milwaukee Brewers.
St. Louis comes into the finale at 75-80, and a loss would make it impossible to finish over .500. With Mathews on the mound, the Cardinals will try to keep that from happening and salvage one game before the final road trip.
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