With a 7-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox in game 2 of the AL Wild Card series, they are mathematically eliminated from World Series contention.

1. Demanded that pitcher Hancel Rincon (in his MLB debut) straighten his hat since no one will wear a hat like that on "his field".

2. Cardinals manager Oli Marmol went to talk to Eddings about the hat incident during a pitching change, Eddings gave the Cardinals a pitch clock violation and ejected Marmol.

3. A couple batters later, with the Cardinals out of challenges, Eddings made a terrible call on a play at the plate to gift the Rockies the lead.

(via ciaoitsmartina / IG)

Said another executive, whose team did not bid on Skubal: “No use playing the rest of the year. It’s over.’’

“It will be interesting to see how every contender in the National League reacts,’’ one AL executive said. “Are they still going to be aggressive knowing you got to go through the Dodgers? It’s different in the American League. There’s no super team and you got a real chance to get to the World Series.’’