The Cardinals have a gold-plated defense, an emerging offense, and savvy instincts when running the bases. But one area of the team is a source of considerable anxiety. That, of course, would be pitching. Starting pitching. Relief pitching. Before we look ahead to the...
It’s showtime for springtime. The Cardinals open their 15-game warmup in a fast preparation for the regular season. The hideous lockout delayed the opening of camps in Florida and Arizona and ruined the normal spring-training routine. This unfortunate set of...
Before the 2021 season the Cardinals were thin on starting pitching. Multiple rotation pieces were vulnerable to injury, and the shortened 2020 season added additional risk to pitcher health. The lack of depth was obvious, but a confident front office had no concerns....
The designated hitter is coming to the National League this season to pump up the offense. That’s the expectation, anyway. But what does it mean for the pitching? More than I would have assumed. As Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said this week:...
Greetings. Unless the Cardinals are planning a late-winter surprise, their 2022 starting rotation appears to be set. I’m referring to the core. The five locked-in starters. Adam Wainwright. Jack Flaherty. Miles Mikolas. Steven Matz. Dakota Hudson. That’s the...
BERNIE BITS Hello again. I hope you’re doing swell on this Wednesday afternoon. Me? I need more coffee. Best random song I’ve listened to today: Pancho & Lefty, by the late-great Townes Van Zandt. Let’s get to The Bits … The Cardinals spend money and don’t have to...
Good afternoon. Here’s Part Two of my look at the 2021 Cardinals, player by player. In the first installment I assessed each position player. In this chapter, we’ll review the relevant starting pitchers. In the next inspection, we’ll analyze members of the bullpen. So...
Good afternoon. I was watching the MLB Network this week when a panel of commentators discussed the Cardinals’ remarkable late-season run, an exhilarating mad dash highlighted by the current 16-game winning streak. I enjoyed the take offered by Hall of Fame pitcher...
A big part of the Cardinals’ late-season turnaround is the calming of the starting rotation. Which, of course, coincided with the arrivals of Jon Lester and J.A. Happ at the July 30 trade deadline. Wade LeBlanc was first on board, debuting in the rotation in late...
