CHICAGO — The optics surrounding the Cardinals’ abrupt decision to temporarily snatch away Willson Contreras’ full-time catching duties are far from great. On Monday, Adam Wainwright and Jack Flaherty — the two longest-tenured members of the Cardinals rotation — took it upon themselves to speak up for Contreras and acknowledge the rotation’s shortcomings. Really, this first month was a perfect …
MILWAUKEE — Nolan Arenado stood in the batter’s box for just a moment, bat outstretched, before beginning to jog down the first base line. Arenado’s two-run shot and seven shutout innings from Jordan Montgomery helped pace the Cardinals to a 6-0 win over Milwaukee on Saturday night, but whatever good feelings sparked after the win didn’t last long. We’ve had …