Carlos Martinez Can't Be Game 4 Closer After Disaster of a Series

The St. Louis Cardinals are on the brink of elimination, as they fell to the Atlanta Braves 3-1 in Game 3 of the National League Division Series Sunday afternoon. St. Louis held a 1-0 lead heading into the top of the ninth inning thanks to a vintage Adam Wainwright performance, and yet...

That lead died a quick death at the hands of Cardinals closer Carlos Martinez, who's proven that he should no longer be the team's closer, surrendering his cool in a key moment, with very little positive contribution to offer.

Martinez entered the game, and immediately surrendered a double to Josh Donaldson, intentionally walking Brian McCann two batters later. Dansby Swanson tied things up by lacing a double to left field, allowing pinch runner Billy Hamilton to score.

The tie game did not persist much longer, as Adam Duvall hit a single to center field to score pinch-runner Rafael Ortega and Swanson, officially spelling the end for the Cardinals.

Carlos Martinez in the regular season had been solid, if unspectacular, posting a 3.17 ERA and 24 saves. Yet, when it's mattered most, he's wilted, and his 2019 postseason statistics are downright atrocious. In 2.1 innings pitched between Games 1 and 3, Martinez has an ungodly 23.14 ERA, producing six earned runs on five hits.

St. Louis' starting rotation has been impressive in the NLDS. Yet, the script has been rewritten time and again once Martinez has taken the mound.

It's time for Cardinals manager Mike Shildt to make a change. If Carlos Martinez enters Game 4 as the closer, there isn't one St. Louis fan who'll have hope of sustaining this series to a fifth game.