Springfield’s record-breaking season reaches the playoff stage this week as the Cardinals open a best-of-three Texas League North Division playoff series Sept. 16 at Tulsa. Hammons Field will be the site of game two at 6:35 p.m. on Sept. 18, with a third game, if necessary, at 7:05 p.m., Sept. 19.
One of the most intriguing players to watch for the Cardinals will be one who’s spent the least amount of time on the roster. Left-handed starting pitcher Liam Doyle made his Double-A debut on Sept. 13, pitching two scoreless innings with three strikeouts against San Antonio.
The first-round draft choice out of Tennessee, where he was Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2025, said in his first meeting with local media members that he’s excited to be a part of the experience.
“This team is trying to win a Texas League championship, which is pretty cool. It’s a privilege just to be in Double-A baseball itself,” said Doyle, the team’s No. 2 minor-league prospect behind infielder JJ Wetherholt.
Doyle, 21, struck out three batters on 30 pitches in his Double-A debut, throwing 20 strikes against the San Diego Padres’ affiliate. He likely will work out of the bullpen in games two or three in the series, if needed, or await a start if Springfield advances to the Texas League championship series.
Liam Doyle impressed by team chemistry, work ethic
Cardinals prospect pitcher Liam Doyle watches the game from the dugout on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, in Springfield. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)
Since joining Springfield on Sept. 9, after one appearance for Low-A Palm Beach, Doyle said it’s been a great learning experience. He was slowly built up since signing with the Cardinals for $7.25 million as the No. 5 overall draft selection following a busy college season.
Liam Doyle said he’s impressed by the team chemistry and work ethic he’s seen in Springfield. Being around big leaguers Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan during their injury rehab assignments was educational.
“It’s pretty cool being here,” Doyle said. “It’s been pretty sweet to watch how this team functions, between all the talent they have here rehabbing and all the talent they already have on the team. It’s been sweet. Even playing in Palm Beach, they have a lot of talent there, too.
“Arenado was here at noon (Sept. 11) and the clubhouse didn’t open until 2:30. That’s pretty cool to watch how they go about their business and take in all that information.”
Doyle, a native of Boston, said he’s hopeful that his recent debuts at Palm Beach and Springfield are the first of more memorable milestones.
“It’s something that I’ve always dreamed of happening,” Doyle said of professional baseball. “It was just another step for me. Hopefully, there are a lot more debuts to come. Putting on a Cardinals jersey for the first time and pitching in a game was definitely a dream that I’ve always had.”
Finishing the regular season in style
Springfield closed out the regular season on Sept. 14 with a 7-0 victory over San Antonio, coming within five outs of the team’s second no-hitter of the season. Chen-Wei Lin tossed four hitless innings while matching a career-high nine strikeouts in his fourth start at Double-A.
Edwin Nuñez worked 2 ⅔ hitless innings with four strikeouts to earn the victory, with Zane Mills and Randel Clemente finishing off the shutout as the Cardinals improved to 88-50, winning both halves of the Texas League season for the first time since 2007.
The Cardinals shattered the record of 79 franchise wins, set in 2024.
Rejuvenated Tulsa awaits
Tulsa earned the right to face Springfield due to having the best second-half record in the North Division. The Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers was only 66-72 overall, but 40-29 in the second half.
Springfield had a 13-5 record against Tulsa during the regular season, but lost four of six in a late-July series at Tulsa.
The Dodgers promoted their top two minor-league prospects to Tulsa last week, 20-year-old outfielders Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope. De Paula is off to an 0-for-18 start in four Double-A games, with Hope collecting six hits and five RBIs already.
Cardinals’ likely rotation
Cardinals’ pitcher Ixan Henderson pitches to Arkansas Travelers’ shortstop Ben Ramirez on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at Hammons Field. Henderson struck out 7 and allowed one run on four hits over five innings. The Cardinals won 10-3. (Photo by Mary Ellen Chiles)
Nothing had been officially announced as of publication, but Springfield’s pitching rotation is set up to have its three left-handers ready to go in the division series, starting with Pete Hansen (8-5, 3.93 earned run average). Ixan Henderson (9-7, 2.59) would likely start game two on Sept. 18, with Brycen Mautz (8-3, 2.98) set up to go in the possible deciding game on Sept. 19.
Who’s hot: Baez powers up
Springfield Cardinals outfielder Joshua Baez retrieves a home run ball during a game against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. (Photo by Ellie Frysztak)
Outfielder Joshua Baez found his power stroke, hitting home runs in three consecutive games against San Antonio. Baez, the organization’s No. 11 prospect, is hitting .308 with 10 RBIs, nine runs and five stolen bases in 10 September games.
Infielder Ramon Mendoza is hitting .452 during September (14-for-31) with eight runs and nine RBIs. Relief pitcher Luis Gastelum has not allowed a run in nine straight appearances spanning 13 innings. He’s allowed just five hits and two walks with 17 strikeouts while earning three saves during the span.
Springfield quartet selected for AFL
Four Springfield Cardinals have been selected to play in the prestigious Arizona Fall League, a distinction reserved for prospects considered to have major-league ceilings. Those are pitchers Chen-Wei Lin and Randel Clemente, catcher Graysen Tarlow and outfielder Miguel Ugueto. They’ll play for Glendale in the AFL in a 30-game schedule running Oct. 6 through Nov. 12.
Cardinals playoff tickets
Single-game tickets or a playoff package for the three possible playoff games at Hammons Field can be purchased online or by calling (417) 863-2143. If the Cardinals advance to the championship series, they would play host to the Texas League championship series opener on Sept. 21 (time to be determined) with games two and three at the South Division representative.
Midland (Athletics) and Amarillo (Diamondbacks) are playing this week for the South title.
Lyndal Scranton is a Springfield native who has covered sports in the Ozarks for more than 35 years, witnessing nearly every big sports moment in the region during the last 50 years. The Missouri Sports Hall of Famer, Springfield Area Sports Hall of Famer and live-fire cooking enthusiast also serves as PR Director for Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri and is co-host of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Contact him at Lscranton755@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @LyndalScranton. More by Lyndal Scranton