# Monday Afternoon GM: A Long Week - Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-afternoon-gm-a-long-week/ - Published: 2022-06-06T16:05:15-05:00 - Author: Eugene Tierney The Cardinals had an interesting, long week. A 3-game series sweep at home against the Padres made everyone optimistic going into a long series in Chicago; the Cardinals were able to salvage 3 wins in the 5 game series. The Cardinals outscored the Padres 14-7. The team played a well rounded game; they hit, pitched, and played defense. [Paul Goldschmidt](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/goldspa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) continued his amazing stretch into May and the final game saw [Nolan Arenado](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arenano01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) break of his month-long slump. [Adam Wainwright](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wainwad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) pitched the middle game of the series and probably had his best start of the season, striking out 10 over 7 shutout innings. Not to be out done, [Dakota Hudson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hudsoda02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) decided he needed his best start of the season to finish out the series. That high from the sweep didn’t last long; the Cubs took game one Thursday 7-5. The Cardinals would take a game each of the next 3 days, but lost game one of Saturday’s doubleheader. The Cardinals scored 32 over the 5 games while giving up 25. The issue again was a big offensive day followed by little scoring; 14 runs on Friday, 1 run during game one on Saturday. The biggest downsides were a rough outing by [Matthew Liberatore](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/liberma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) and the end of Goldschmidt’s hitting streak at 25 games. The rookie fielders continued to contribute; [Brendan Donovan](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/donovbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) had a game winning hits in extra innings on Saturday and Sunday nights. **Up NextA smaller week after the marathon they just completed. The Cardinals play 3 in Tampa Bay and come home for 3 against the Reds. The Cardinals haven’t faced the Rays this season and are 2-1 against the Reds. NL Central Standings | Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Last 10 | Streak | | Milwaukee Brewers | 33 | 23 | .589 | — | 4-6 | L3 | | St. Louis Cardinals | 32 | 23 | .582 | 0.5 | 7-3 | W2 | | Pittsburgh Pirates | 24 | 28 | .462 | 7.0 | 7-3 | W2 | | Chicago Cubs | 23 | 32 | .418 | 9.5 | 4-6 | L2 | | Cincinnati Reds | 18 | 35 | .340 | 13.5 | 5-5 | L3 | The Brewers had a bad week and have let the Cardinals get within a game; these teams should be battling it out all season. The Pirates have gone on a run all of the sudden, but they’ll continue to sit around .500 for the season. At their current pace, the Cardinals are in line for a 94-68 record, approximately 4 wins ahead of my prediction. **Run Differential** The Cardinals have scored 269 runs this season and allowed 215, giving them a differential of +54. That would put them at a 33-22 record, one game better then they currently are. Essentially, their record is in line with their run differential. If they continue at this pace, they are in line for a 97-65 record. [[ **Cardinal News** Where to start this week… * The Cardinals have produced their third straight [MLB Player of the Month: Goldschmidt](https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-judge-paul-goldschmidt-named-players-of-the-month-for-may-2022#:~:text=Aaron%20Judge%2C%20Paul%20Goldschmidt%20named%20Players%20of%20the%20Month%20for%20May%202022). [Tyler O’Neill](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=oneilty01,oneill001tyl&search=Tyler+O'Neill&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) was the player of the month for last September, followed by Arenado in April; both players have struggled since winning their respective months, although Arenado looks like he might be coming out of his funk. * There were a [flurry of roster moves before the Cubs series](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/06/cardinals-announce-roster-moves-oviedo-thompson-liberatore-whitley-oneill-carlson-robertson/): Liberatore and [Kodi Whitley](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/whitlko01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) were sent down; [Zack Thompson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thompza02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) and Oviedo were called up. [](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/woodfja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) [Jake Wood](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=woodja01,wood--002jak&search=Jake+Wood&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) ford was the 27th man for the doubleheader, but sent right back down after the game. * [Kramer Robertson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberkr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) can be moved to the former Cardinal section. He was [designated for assignment on Friday](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/06/cardinals-announce-roster-moves-oviedo-thompson-liberatore-whitley-oneill-carlson-robertson/) when Thompson was added to the 40-man roster; the Braves claimed him off waivers over the weekend. Robertson really didn’t have a future with the team, with the emergence of Donovan in front of him and prospects like [Masyn Winn](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=winn--000mas&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) and [Jordan Walker](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=walker000jor&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) behind him. * The Cardinals placed [Corey Dickerson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dickeco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) on the IL on Sunday with a left calf strain; he left the first games of Saturday’s doubleheader with the injury. This might a be a relief for the team, as they have both O’Neill and [Dylan Carlson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=carlsdy01,carlso001dyl&search=Dylan+Carlson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) on rehab assignments; the team would have had to make a decision on cutting Dickerson( and the rest of his $5M salary) or sending down one of Donovan, [Juan Yepez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/yepezju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), or [Nolan Gorman](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gormano01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)( assuming that [Lars Nootbaar](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nootbla01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) will be sent down for the other rehabbing player). [Jake Walsh](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/walshja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) was called up for his roster spot. Rehab News Here’s a quick look at the numbers for guys on rehab assignments: * [Dylan Carlson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=carlsdy01,carlso001dyl&search=Dylan+Carlson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)@ Springfield: 3 G, 0-7, 1 BB, 1K, .000/.125/.000 * [Tyler O’Neill](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=oneilty01,oneill001tyl&search=Tyler+O'Neill&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)@ Memphis: 3 G, 5-13, 3 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 4 K, .385/.429./692 * [Jack Flaherty](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/flaheja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)@ Springfield: 1 G, 3.0 IP, 3 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP **Cardinal RumorsNo rumors over the last week. **The SystemHere’s the rundown of the system… * Memphis Redbirds: 31-23 - Up Next: vs. Durham Bulls (29-25) * - [Alec Burleson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=burles000ale&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) was named the [Cardinals Player of the Month for May](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/06/burleson-graceffo-named-cardinals-top-minor-leaguers-for-the-month-of-may/). Check out our scouting report [here](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/06/prospect-profile-alec-burleson/). * Springfield Cardinals: 20-31 - Up Next: @ Midland RockHounds (23-28) * - [Gordon Graceffo](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=gracef000gor&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) was named the [Cardinals Pitcher of the Month for May](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/06/burleson-graceffo-named-cardinals-top-minor-leaguers-for-the-month-of-may/); he split the month between Springfield and Peoria. * Peoria Chiefs: 21-30 - Up Next: vs. Quad Cities River Bandits (19-32) * Palm Beach Cardinals: 20-29 - Up Next: @ Tampa Tarpons (22-29) * Minor League Baseball released[ their top player and pitcher at each level](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/06/minor-league-baseball-announces-may-players-and-pitchers-of-the-month-2/); the Cardinals were shut out this month after having 3 players named last month. **Former CardinalsA quick look at former Cardinals in the news… * [J.A. Happ](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/happja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)( LHP, Free Agent) retired. * [Jason Heyward](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/heywaja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)( OF, Cubs) [was reinstated from the IL](https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/06/cubs-place-drew-smyly-on-injured-list.html); he was out with Covid symptoms. * [Lance Lynn](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lynnla01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)( RHP, White Sox) has made 2 rehab starts and [will make 1 more this week](https://twitter.com/CST_soxvan/status/1533483632878309379) before the White Sox decide what to do with the pitcher; it’s expected he’ll be activated for his season debut. * [Mike Mayers](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mayermi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)( RHP, Angels) was designated for assignment; he cleared [waivers and was assigned to Triple A](https://twitter.com/SamBlum3/status/1532552861128826888). He could have rejected the assignment based off service time, but did not. * [Ian McKinney](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mckinn000ian&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)( LHP, Mariners) was [released by the organization](https://twitter.com/PaulBraverman/status/1533525335450431488); he was pitching with Triple A Tacoma. Over 2 seasons in Triple A, McKinney has struggled to a 7.22 ERA with a 15.86% K and 12.75% BB rates. * [Ildemaro Vargas](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vargail01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)( IF, Free Agent) signed a [minor league deal with the Nationals](https://www.mlb.com/player/ildemaro-vargas-545121) and was assigned to Triple A; he recently refused a minor league assignment by the Cubs. * [T.J. Zeuch](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zeuchtj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)( LHP, Free Agent) signed a [minor league deal with the Reds](https://twitter.com/ctrent/status/1532803744739516417) after being released by the Cardinals a early last week. **Do the Cardinals Struggle After “Spending Their Runs” in 1 Game?** The Cardinals seem to have spurts where they score 10 runs, the follow it up with 1-2 in the next game. It’s gotten to the point where you expect an L the day after a high scored. But I’ve found that’s not the case. The Cardinals have a positive run differential, which is stated above. In fact, it’s one of the highest in the league; 4th in the MLB and 2nd in the NL. It’s also safe to assume that they more the score, the higher their win percentage is; this proved to be correct: | RS/G | W | L | W% | | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.000 | | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0.143 | | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.333 | | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0.400 | | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0.667 | | 5 | 6 | 2 | 0.750 | | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0.750 | | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0.800 | | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1.000 | | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | | 10+ | 7 | 0 | 1.000 | | Total | 32 | 23 | 0.582 | The Cardinals have had 10 games this season where they’ve scored 8 or more runs. How did they do the following day? To start, we need to know that they average 4.89 runs per game this season. In those 10 games following 8+ runs, they have a 0-run game, 2 1-run game, 3 2-run games, a 6-run game, 2 7-run games, and an 8-run game. That gives them an average of 3.60 runs per game; so they do score fewer runs after a big output by 1.29 runs less then average. That’s significant because they only allow an average 3.91 runs per game; that puts them at an instant disadvantage. Their record in those games is a surprising 5-5. This is supported in their run differential which is 0. Based off this, it’s safe to assume the Cardinals have a 50/50 shot of winning the game after scoring 8+ runs. ### Share this: * [ Facebook ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-afternoon-gm-a-long-week/?share=facebook) * [ X ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-afternoon-gm-a-long-week/?share=x) * [ Email ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-afternoon-gm-a-long-week/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Monday%20Afternoon%20GM%3A%20A%20Long%20Week&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyrdcast.com%2Fmonday-afternoon-gm-a-long-week%2F&share=email) * [ LinkedIn ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-afternoon-gm-a-long-week/?share=linkedin) * [ Mastodon ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-afternoon-gm-a-long-week/?share=mastodon) * [ Nextdoor ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-afternoon-gm-a-long-week/?share=nextdoor) * [ Pinterest ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-afternoon-gm-a-long-week/?share=pinterest) * [ Reddit ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-afternoon-gm-a-long-week/?share=reddit) * [ Tumblr ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-afternoon-gm-a-long-week/?share=tumblr) ### Like this: Like Loading… ### _Related_