PITTSBURGH聽鈥 It wasn鈥檛 even his most impactful home run of his first homecoming as a big leaguer. And yet JJ Wetherholt鈥檚 leadoff homer Thursday, his first in the majors with his grandparents in the crowd, illustrated how of all the things he鈥檚 done well, this is what he鈥檚 done best.
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最新杏吧原创 Post-Dispatch Cardinals beat writer Daniel Guerrero joined columnist Lynn Worthy to discuss JJ Wetherholt鈥檚 return to Pittsburgh, Nathan Church鈥檚 fast start and bounce backs by two key members of the bullpen.
Photos: Cardinals top Paul Skenes, Pirates to earn 4-game sweep
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals catcher Pedro Pag茅s (43) receives a new ball from the umpire against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) throws to first base to retire Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn (not pictured) for an out to end the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Home plate umpire Brian O'Nora (7) loads new baseballs during the fifth inning between the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals relief pitcher Justin Bruihl (47) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt steps on second base to begin a double play during the third inning of a game against the Pirates on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right ielder Bryan Reynolds (10) high-fives in the dugout after scoring a run against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Home plate umpire Brian O'Nora (7) gestures while speaking to Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly (right) against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) fields a ground ball against Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn (not pictured) for an out to end the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals catcher Pedro Pag茅s (43) looks to the Cardinals dugout against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the fifrth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins (40) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) circles the bases on a two run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) gestures as he circles the bases on a leadoff solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) in the on-deck circle against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) walks in from the bullpen to pitch against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Jake Mangum (28) watches as a two run home run by right fielder Jordan Walker (not pictured) clear the wall during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Cardinals starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins delivers a pitch in聽the first inning聽Thursday, April 30, 2026, against the Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.聽
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers a pitch against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers a pitch against 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals catcher Iv谩n Herrera (48) during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers a pitch against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins (40) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers a pitch against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers a pitch against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) celebrates as he circles the bases on a leadoff solo home run in the first inning Thursday, April 30, 2026, against the Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers a pitch against 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (left) is greeted by third base coach Ron Warner (75) as he circles the bases on a two run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis (32) heads to the bullpen to warm up against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) warms up in the bullpen before pitching against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals third baseman Nolan Gorman (right) congratulates right fielder Jordan Walker (left) on his two run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
