Everything went right for the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Jack Flaherty had the type of start we’d expect from an ace, Dylan Carlson hit his first career grand slam, and the bullpen continued to shine as the Cardinals swept the Marlins with a 7-0 victory in Miami. It was their third straight win as they head into the home opener on Thursday.

After allowing six runs and only pitching four innings in his Opening Day start against Cincinnati, Flaherty bounced back big time in his second start of the season. The 25-year old right-hander went six shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out six batters. It was the best performance by a Cardinals starter thus far in the 2021 season.

Meanwhile, the Marlins left seven batters on base altogether. Yet again, the Cardinals pitching came up clutch.

But it wasn’t just the pitching that dominated.

Yadier Molina continued to show that even at 38-years old, he still has a lot left in the tank. In his 2,031st career game, and 1,995th as catcher, Molina hit his first home run of the season, a two-run shot, breaking a scoreless tie in the seventh inning.

Paul Goldschmidt followed that with an RBI single in the eighth, and Carlson hit a grand slam in the ninth, making it 7-0. Jordan Hicks then brought the heat in the ninth inning, and Justin Williams made a diving catch to end the game.

Adam Wainwright gets the nod on Thursday, as the rival Milwaukee Brewers, with a familiar face in Kolten Wong, head to Busch Stadium.