ST. LOUIS – What started as a running joke has evolved into a compelling narrative in recent years: Ex-Cardinals shine on the postseason stage after they leave St. Louis.
In 2020, it was outfielder Randy Arozarena. Last year, it was outfielder Adolis Garcia.
This October? There’s indeed another ex-Cardinals outfielder is stepping up in the clutch, and an ex-Cardinals pitcher who has been just as dominant to this point, if not better.
This fall’s early breakout stars: Lane Thomas and Luke Weaver.
Thomas and Weaver both seized prime opportunities in their American League Division Series matchups, setting the stage for their teams – the Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees – to face off in the American League Championship Series.
With that, it’s certain that at least one ex-Cardinal, Thomas or Weaver, will represent the American League in the World Series this fall.
How did they get to the ALCS? Let’s explore…
Lane Thomas
Six seasons and three teams into his big-league career, Thomas finally earned his first chance to play in the postseason this fall.
Thomas played a big part in helping the Cleveland Guardians fend off the Detroit Tigers in two potential elimination games, sprinkling in some quiet hits with some big booms in a best-of-five ALDS set that ended Saturday.
In the series opener, Thomas crushed a three-run home run to cap a momentum-shifting five-run first inning. In the series finale, Thomas crushed a go-ahead grand slam to break open a low-scoring affair and ultimately pave the way to a series-clinching victory.
“You don’t get to hit in a situation like that without some guys taking good at-bats in front of you,” said Thomas on his Game 5 grand slam on Saturday via Guardians reporter Jeff Schudel. “It felt good to come through for the guys and have a big inning.”
Thomas joined the Guardians in a trade-deadline-day deal from the Washington Nationals. He had spent parts of the last four seasons with Washington after the Cardinals dealt him in a one-for-one swap for veteran rental pitcher Jon Lester.
Thomas couldn’t find regular opportunities in St. Louis with heavy competition in the outfield, but a more natural path to play came together with the Nationals. Last year, he broke out with 28 home runs, 86 RBI, 26 stolen bases and a .268 batting average.
His overall numbers dipped a bit this season, but the Guardians liked his skillset for a much-desired middle-of-the-order bat and took a chance that’s proven worthwhile.
It took Thomas some time to find a groove with his new team, only hitting .209 with Cleveland to close the regular season, though the Guardians clinching playoffs earlier than most contenders afforded him time to refine his approach.
“Definitely had some struggles the first few weeks, maybe even a month, but I’m thankful they hung with me, let me get my feet under me, and kept giving me at-bats,” said Thomas. “You got to be thankful for that. It’s felt good to come through in late-September, and obviously the playoffs.”
Thomas finished the ALDS with a .316 batting average, 2 home runs and 9 RBIs over five games. He largely credits Cleveland star Jose Ramirez, widely considered among MLB’s top hitters, for a smooth transition.
“I like watching that guy hit,” said Thomas. “He’s a fun guy to watch come to the plate. I’ve learned a lot from him being here.”
Luke Weaver
Nine seasons and six teams into his big-league career, Weaver finally earned his first chance to pitch in the postseason this fall.
Weaver pitched in all four of the New York Yankees’ American League Division Series games against the Kansas City Royals, securing a save in each of their three victories. He held the Royals scoreless over 4.1 innings and limited the damage to just two hits, a strong run that culminated with him on the mound for the series-clinching out.
While celebrating the ALDS clincher in the Yankees’ locker room with champagne and goggles, Weaver shared some deep insight on his first postseason experience.
“I’m living in a movie. I want to make sure the ending is pretty good, and I want to be able to rewatch it,” he told YES Network’s Meredith Marakovits.
Weaver, a longtime starting pitcher at the MLB level, has worked exclusively out of the bullpen in 2024. Initially thriving in low-leverage spots, he worked his way to larger opportunities.
When the Yankees removed teammate Clay Holmes from the close role due to midseason struggles, Weaver stepped in and ended his regular season with a few saves. He hasn’t looked back since then.
For now, the change to the bullpen has helped Weaver resurrect his career.
“Very validating, but I still feel like there’s a chip on my shoulder,” said Weaver on his early postseason success.
To his point, Weaver has had a bit of a whirlwind career leading up to this season, more so than Thomas.
Once the Cardinals’ top-rated prospect after Alex Reyes, Weaver made 43 starts for St. Louis over three seasons. His time in St. Louis was a bit inconsistent (4.79 ERA), and the Cardinals traded him to the Arizona Diamondbacks after the 2018 campaign in a haul for Paul Goldschmidt.
Injuries and pandemic alterations limited Weaver to just 38 starts in his next three seasons with Arizona. In the shortened 2020 season, Weaver finished with nine losses and a 6.58, both nearly among MLB worsts for qualified starters.
Arizona traded him to the Royals in 2022, and over the next year, he struggled to find stability. Weaver was placed on waivers, non-tendered and designated for assignment after stints with multiple teams.
In September 2023, the Yankees claimed Weaver off waivers to eat innings near the end of the season, though he couldn’t compete in postseason because he joined after a deadline to put him on the October roster.
This season, Weaver was determined to achieve success unlike anything he’s previously experienced in the big leagues.
“You just feed into the energy. You tell yourself, ‘You just got to be relentless. You got to be convicted.’ I don’t want to mess around and sleep at night and be like, ‘I didn’t give my all’ or ‘I was scared,’ or ‘I was timid.’ It’s go right after them. If you got it, you got it. If you don’t, you live to fight another day.”
Up Next
Four teams remain in the hunt for a World Series title: The Cleveland Guardians, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Mets and the New York Yankees.
The National League Championship Series with the Dodgers and Mets begins on Sunday. The American League Championship Series with the Guardians and Yankees begins on Monday. The winners of each will go head-to-head in the 2024 World Series, which begins on Friday, Oct. 25.
Thomas and Weaver are a handful of former Cardinals competing for a World Series championship this season. At least one former Cardinal will take home a championship this season with other former fan favorites, like Harrison Bader and Tommy Edman, also in pursuit of a title.
