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Andrew Kittredge Andrew Kittredge Up to 10 holds
Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 11:20 PM
Kittredge allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter in a scoreless inning to earn his 10th hold of the season in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Mets.
Analysis: Kittredge has been excellent in a high-leverage role for the Cardinals. He's been scored on just once in 13 appearances, posting a 0.75 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB through 12 innings. Manager Oliver Marmol has gone with more clearly defined roles in the bullpen this year than in previous seasons, and Kittredge has slotted in as a strong setup man in his first year with the team. |
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Paul Goldschmidt Paul Goldschmidt Plates two, steals base
Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 7:04 PM
Goldschmidt went 2-for-5 with two RBI while netting his first stolen base of the season in Saturday's 7-4 victory over the Mets.
Analysis: Goldschmidt one-hopped a two-run double off the wall as part of a four-run first inning for the Cardinals. He also added an infield single, a stolen base and another run scored. The former MVP did also strike out three times Saturday and has fanned at an elevated 30.1 percent. The production on the whole has ticked up over the past week, though, with Goldschmidt going 9-for-27 (.333) with one home run and four RBI. |
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Ryan Helsley Ryan Helsley Loads bases but nets save
Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 6:57 PM
Helsley struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to notch his ninth save of the season in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Mets.
Analysis: Helsley made things interesting as he tried to protect a three-run advantage, loading the bases on two singles and a walk. However, with Francisco Lindor representing the go-ahead run he got the shortstop to pop out on the first pitch to end it. Helsley is 9-for-10 in save opportunities on the season and boasts a 1.80 ERA and 17:2 K:BB across 15 innings. |
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Sonny Gray Sonny Gray Fans nine in victory
Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 6:31 PM
Gray (3-1) picked up the win Saturday versus the Mets, allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out nine.
Analysis: The Mets plated four runs during a sloppy fifth innings by the Cardinals which included a Nolan Arenado error. Just one of the runs on Gray's ledgers was earned, however, and he was in total control outside of that frame, facing just three over the minimum. Gray tripled his season walk total with three free passes in this one, but with the nine punchouts he now has an excellent 32:4 K:BB over his first 23.1 innings with St. Louis. |
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Willson Contreras Willson Contreras Pops homer Friday
Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 11:53 AM
Contreras went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 4-2 win over the Mets.
Analysis: The Cardinals mustered just five hits, but Contreras and Alec Burleson provided a pair of homers to make it work. Contreras continues to play through a lingering hand injury, and while it's limited his ability to catch, he's been fine at the plate. Since the injury occurred April 3, he's gone 17-for-52 (.327) with two homers, six doubles and five RBI. For the season, he's slashing .296/.425/.563 with four homers, nine RBI, 12 runs scored, seven doubles and a stolen base over 21 contests. Contreras will continue to split time between catcher and designated hitter. |
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Alec Burleson Alec Burleson Slugs first homer of season
Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 8:16 AM
Burleson went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Friday's 4-2 win over the Mets.
Analysis: His second-inning shot off Jose Butto gave Miles Mikolas and the Cardinals' bullpen all the offense they would need. It was Burleson's first long ball of the year, and his first extra-base hit since April 8. Jordan Walker's demotion cements Burleson into a strong-side platoon role, but his .259/.310/.352 slash line through 58 plate appearances with three runs and five RBI doesn't offer a lot of fantasy appeal. |
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Ryan Helsley Ryan Helsley Collects eighth save
Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 8:13 AM
Helsley struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his eighth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Mets.
Analysis: The right-hander needed only nine pitches (seven strikes) to convert his eighth straight chance after blowing a save March 30. Helsley hasn't allowed an earned run in seven straight appearances, and he sports a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB through 14 innings on the season. The 29-year-old's career high is 19 saves, but he's tracking to blow past that mark by the All-Star break. |
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Miles Mikolas Miles Mikolas Just misses quality start
Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 8:03 AM
Mikolas (2-3) picked up the win Friday, giving up two runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings in a 4-2 victory over the Mets. He struck out five without walking a batter.
Analysis: The right-hander fell just short of his third quality start of the season, getting the hook in the sixth inning after 85 pitches (65 strikes) following doubles by Francisco Lindor and J.D. Martinez. Mikolas also served up a homer to light-hitting catcher Tomas Nido, the fourth long ball he's allowed in his last two starts, Mikolas will carry a 5.91 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB through 32 innings into his next outing, scheduled to come on the road next week in Detroit. |
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Matt Carpenter Matt Carpenter Resumes swinging
Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 4:20 PM
Carpenter (oblique) took swings on the field before Friday's game against the Mets, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Carpenter had been shut down from activity after receiving a PRP injection in his right oblique Monday. He will swing again before Saturday's game, at which point the Cardinals will decide whether or not to send the 38-year-old veteran out on a rehab assignment. |
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Masyn Winn Masyn Winn Receives rest day
Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 2:16 PM
Winn is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Winn started the previous nine games but will take a seat Friday after he posted a .208/.394/.292 slash line during that stretch. Brandon Crawford will receive a start at shortstop in the series opener at New York. |
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Lars Nootbaar Lars Nootbaar Two-run double in win
Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 6:28 PM
Nootbaar went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Wednesday's win over the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Nootbaar doubled in his final at-bat of the contest to send home Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt, giving the Cardinals a 4-1 lead. It was only the left fielder's fourth multi-base hit of the season, though he's now driven in two runs in two of his last three games. Nootbaar has also hit safely in six of his last seven contests, but is still yet to put together a multi-hit performance. |
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Kyle Gibson Kyle Gibson Sharp after rough start
Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 6:27 PM
Gibson (2-2) earned the win against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings while striking out six.
Analysis: Gibson got off to a rocky start, allowing back-to-back hits while also hitting Joc Pederson with a pitch to open the game. However, the right-hander managed to escape the inning with only one run coming across before shutting out the Diamondbacks over the next five frames. Gibson has now gone at least six innings in each of his first five starts to open the season, posting a 20:12 K:BB over that stretch. He's also gone two starts without allowing a home run after allowing at least one long ball in each of his first three outings. |
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Willson Contreras Willson Contreras In Wednesday's lineup
Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 10:39 AM
Contreras (hand) will start at designated hitter and bat second in Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: He made an early exit from Tuesday's loss to Arizona with lingering left hand soreness, although Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said afterward that Contreras' removal had more to do with the lopsided score. Contreras intends to continue playing through discomfort, but might see more reps at DH than catcher, opening up starts behind the plate for Ivan Herrera. |
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Alec Burleson Alec Burleson Sitting against lefty
Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 10:38 AM
Burleson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: While his path to regular playing time against right-handed pitching has opened up a bit with Jordan Walker getting optioned to Triple-A Memphis earlier Wednesday, the lefty-hitting Burleson is still projected to sit regularly against lefties. Burleson's absence from the lineup Wednesday thus comes as little surprise with southpaw Jordan Montgomery on the hill for Arizona. |
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John King John King Called up to majors
Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 10:16 AM
The Cardinals recalled King from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: King will provide the St. Louis bullpen with a fresh arm after Zack Thompson -- who gave up seven earned runs over two innings of relief in Tuesday's 14-1 loss to the Diamondbacks -- was optioned to Memphis in a corresponding move. Acquired from the Rangers at the trade deadline last summer, King has previously made 22 total appearances as a member of the Cardinals, logging a 1.71 ERA while collecting 10 holds and one win over 21 innings. |
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Jose Fermin Jose Fermin Recalled from Triple-A
Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 10:14 AM
The Cardinals recalled Fermin from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Fermin was off to a fantastic start with Memphis, slashing .350/.458/.650 with four home runs, five steals and a 3:11 K:BB over 18 games. The 25-year-old will offer utility infield depth for the Cardinals, and it's possible he gets some starts at second base against lefties. |
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Jordan Walker Jordan Walker Sent down to minors
Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 10:11 AM
The Cardinals optioned Walker to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Walker has hit just .155/.239/.259 this season and was recently demoted to the eight spot in the Cardinals lineup. Rather than letting Walker continue to work through his struggles at the big-league level, the Cardinals have elected to have the 21-year-old do it in a lower-pressure situation at Memphis. Alec Burleson and Ivan Herrera could both see upticks in playing time while Walker is in the minors. |
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Zack Thompson Zack Thompson Dispatched to minors
Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 10:11 AM
The Cardinals optioned Thompson to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Thompson broke camp with the Cardinals in a starting role, but he was moved to the bullpen upon Sonny Gray's return from the injured list earlier this month after giving up eight earned runs over 10.1 innings between his first two turns through the rotation. The left-hander didn't adapt well to the shift to a relief role, as he produced a 13.50 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB in 6.2 innings across his three appearances out of the bullpen before St. Louis opted to send him to the minors. Thompson will likely slot into the rotation as he heads to Memphis. |
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Willson Contreras Willson Contreras Will play through hand injury
Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 8:25 AM
Contreras admitted after Tuesday's loss to the Diamondbacks that his left hand "doesn't feel good" but is "nothing that will keep me away from the game," Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Contreras missed four games earlier this month with an injury that was suffered back on April 3. He homered in his first plate appearance for the Cardinals' lone run Tuesday before eventually exiting after the fifth inning in the blowout loss. Manager Oliver Marmol said the lopsided score was the bigger reason for Contreras' departure, and the catcher seems adamant that he will continue to play through the injury. Contreras is slashing .326/.426/.500 in 13 games since getting hurt, so while it's clear he's not 100 percent, it does not appear to be affecting his offensive performance. |
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Steven Matz Steven Matz Rocked by D-Backs
Tue, Apr 23, 2024, 10:58 PM
Matz (1-2) took the loss Tuesday against Arizona, allowing seven runs on six hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out four
Analysis: All of the runs against Matz came in the third and fifth innings. In the third, he walked a pair of batters and allowed an RBI base hit to Lourdes Gurriel before Christian Walker launched a three-run homer. in the fifth, Matz allowed hits to three straight batters, two of which scored after he was pulled. After giving up three earned runs in his first 15.0 innings, Matz has surrendered 12 earned runs in his last two starts (9.1 innings) with eight K's and six walks. He's lined up to face the Tigers in Detroit on Monday. |
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