Oli Marmol just gave Cubs fans a petty reason to hate the Cardinals more

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch stepped to the plate in the eighth inning of the Chicago Cubs' 7-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday with a chance at history. Busch already had two home runs on the day and was a single away from hitting for the cycle. Instead of pitching to Busch, Cardinals' manager Oli Marmol ordered the intentional walk.

Mind you, the Cardinals, a team that had already been eliminated from postseason contention entering the weekend series against the Cubs, were trailing in the game 7-3. The intentional walk of Busch made little sense. Nonetheless, after the game, Marmol defended the decision.

“I’m not here for anybody’s amusement,” Marmol said. “I’m trying to win a game. The next guy grounded out to the pitcher, so I think it worked.”

Cardinals’ bizarre move against Cubs has fans calling Oli Marmol a coward

If Marmol is factoring all of his decisions based on his desire to win a game, he hasn't been very good at it over the last three seasons. Failing to make the postseason in each of the last three seasons, the Cardinals have become an afterthought in the National League Central. In fact, the only reason why Marmol won't be out of a job this offseason is because St. Louis is expected ot reset in 2026.

The Cubs took the high road after the game. Craig Counsell, Dansby Swanson, and Ian Happ all alluded to the idea of the Cardinals still trying to win the game as to why Busch was given the free pass despite having a chance at the cycle. Even Busch was level-headed about the decision.

“Selfishly, I wanted the at-bat, but there’s nothing better than the victory itself,” Busch said. “I get it. They’re trying to win. We’re trying to win. The game wasn’t over.”

Ultimately, it is the Cubs who will get the last laugh on Marmol and the Cardinals. The Cubs will be playing in the postseason while the Cardinals sit at home with Marmol trying to come up with other ways to make St. Louis look extremely petty.

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