St. Louis Cardinals Announce Jordan Walker Change Before Cubs Game

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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - AUGUST 12: Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds third base on his way to scoring a run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Busch Stadium on August 12, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals dropped their series opener to the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon by getting shut out, 3-0.

The Cards will, however, have a chance to even the series up on Saturday afternoon with another game against their NL Central rivals.

Before the Cubs game on Saturday, manager Oliver Marmol opted to shuffle some things around in the Cardinals’ lineup, and one of the changes includes Jordan Walker.

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Jordan Walker Batting 3rd on Saturday

GettyST LOUIS, MISSOURI – AUGUST 12: Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals drives in a run with a single against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth inning at Busch Stadium on August 12, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Aside from the big news on Saturday, which is that Joshua Baez will make his MLB debut with the Cardinals, two notable changes in Oli Marmol’s lineup is Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson, the two middle-of-the-order bats, swapping places, as Walker will bat third and Burleson takes over at cleanup.

It’s likely because Matthew Boyd is starting for the Cubs, and he is a southpaw.

Here is the full St. Louis Cardinals batting order for 8/15, per @UnderdogMLB: 

Jordan Walker is Having a Breakout Campaign for Cards

GettyANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JULY 20: Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after scoring on an RBI single during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 20, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ross Turteltaub/Getty Images)

It’s been well documented and written about already, but Jordan Walker is really having a breakout season for the Cardinals, and if they are to earn a playoff berth this season, Walker’s offensive output would have a lot to do with it.

Walker went 0-for-3 in the series opener and has been slumping a little bit, but he still carries an average of .282 with 23 home runs, 84 RBI, and 72 runs scored.

He’s also added an OPS+ of 132 and a bWAR of 3.3 this season, which are both CLEAR career-highs.

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