Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals Celebrate A Pair Of Birthdays Friday

Originally posted on The Cold Wire | By Curt Bishop | Last updated 10/28/22

Today is the anniversary of the day when the St. Louis Cardinals won their most recent World Series title.

It’s been 11 years exactly since that took place.

But today is also a special day for a few of the current members of the team.

Relievers Jake Woodford and Zack Thompson are each celebrating their birthdays today.

Both of them were key pieces in the Cardinals bullpen down the stretch.

Woodford made his MLB debut during the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

He’s celebrating his 26th birthday today.

Thompson emerged as another solid lefty option out of the bullpen.

Today is his 25th birthday.

Birthday buddies. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/uWcfcMVkuZ

— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) October 28, 2022

Cards Celebrate Some Birthdays

Both Woodford and Thompson were solid for the Cardinals during the regular season.

Woodford went 4-0 with a 2.23 ERA in 27 appearances, with one of them being a start at Wrigley Field on August 23.

Thompson emerged as a solid left-handed option in the bullpen and was relied upon heavily after Genesis Cabrera was sent down to Triple-A Memphis towards the end of the season.

The 25-year-old out of the University of Kentucky appeared in 22 games this season and went 1-1, posting a 2.08 ERA in 34.2 innings pitched.

Both pitchers will likely be key factors in the Cards bullpen in 2023.

Should the Cardinals have any trouble in the starting rotation, both are capable of starting and could be used if injuries become an issue.

For now, the Cardinals will celebrate their birthdays, but both of them will likely factor into the team’s 2023 plans, most likely as relievers and possibly fringe starters.

This article first appeared on The Cold Wire and was syndicated with permission.

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