The struggles of the St. Louis Cardinals pitching staff in a tentative August for the club have left them on the edge of the Wild Card race. In 2024, they’ve posted the 12th-worst ERA in the majors. For a team with an, at best, highly inconsistent offense, serious and continued pitching struggles might signify doomed hopes for the postseason.
Cardinals Pitching Struggles Hurting Postseason Hopes
Ace or Joker?
Sonny Gray, the presumptive Cardinals ace entering the season, has struggled mightily since the weeks before the All-Star Break.
Following a 2023 campaign in which Gray finished runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award, he has not returned to the same form in 2024. Through Tuesday, he has pitched for a 3.93 ERA and a 1.079 WHIP in 130 2/3 innings. He has posted an even higher ERA in August, reaching 4.74 through three starts. While his K% remains high (92nd percentile in the majors), he has struggled to keep the ball in the ballpark. His fastball run value, additionally, has dropped 80 percentile points in comparison to 2023.
In recent years, the Cardinals have struggled to cement a solid top end of their pitching rotation. Gray’s addition on a 3-year, $75 million contract initially appeared to be a step in the right direction, but he has failed to live up to these expectations.
Struggles Extend Down the Rotation
Cardinals trade deadline acquisition Erick Fedde has also struggled in his first starts with the team. In three starts, he has posted a 5.62 ERA, including a rough 4-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. While Fedde looked to be a solution to the Cardinals’ lack of a bonafide second starter, he has yet to find his form in St. Louis.
This is a pattern that continues to plague the Cardinals front office and their on-field product. Through the past few offseasons, they have failed to make needle-moving deals to improve their pitching staff. The signings of Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson provided veteran presences following the retirement of Adam Wainwright, neither have performed particularly well this season, and Lynn is now hurt.
.@Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn says he is throwing a bullpen today and hopes to be back on the mound as soon as possible.
pic.twitter.com/vyg10Hb3HS
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) August 12, 2024
While options for starting pitching at the trade deadline were slim, serious looks at Jack Flaherty or even Zach Eflin may have been warranted given the dire situation of the pitching staff.
Bullpen arm Andre Pallante has been solid in filling the fifth spot in the rotation, but the return of the oft-injured Steven Matz leaves his role in question. Matz has not been particularly stellar when he’s been healthy, either. It remains a serious doubt whether he can tangibly contribute to the Cardinals rotation upon his return.
Bright Light in the Bullpen
Even the Cardinals bullpen, which remained a highlight of the team through the All-Star Break, has begun to struggle in the dog days of August. Although All-Star closer Ryan Helsley has remained strong, important pieces such as Ryan Fernandez and John King have struggled recently. Trade deadline acquisition Shawn Armstrong has also not found his footing in his new setting.
The trio, in their past nine combined starts, have allowed 10 earned runs.
A Tough Path to the Postseason
Following their series loss to the Cincinnati Reds, the Cardinals do not play another team with a losing record for the rest of August and early September. This gauntlet will include two series against the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers as well as a highly important series against the Wild Card hopeful San Diego Padres.
The Cardinals currently sit three games out of a Wild Card spot, and they created a steep uphill battle for themselves with the lack of solidity from their pitching staff.
Photo Credit: © Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
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