# Monday Afternoon GM: The Cardinals Secret HOF Pitching Staff

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-afternoon-gm-the-cardinals-secret-hof-pitching-staff/
- Published: 2022-05-23T15:04:28-05:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

Another mixed bag this week, as the Cardinals went 1-3 against the Mets, then turned
around and swept the Pirates in 3 games. While that is a winning road trip, the 
Mets series was very disappointing as they should have at least split with them 
after blowing an extra inning lead on Thursday.

The Mets outscored the Cards 23-17; unlike the previous week, the Cardinals took
the close game and lost the others by 7, 2 and 1 runs. Hicks was the starter in 
the big loss, but he wasn’t the worst pitcher of the day. He allowed 2 runs in 4
innings of work; at this point, you would be hoping that [Jordan Hicks](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hicksjo03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
would be able to get into the 5th inning. He threw 82 pitches to get that far. I’m
ready for them to pull the plug on the Hicks experiment when Flaherty is back. [Jake Walsh](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/walshja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
got lit for 4 runs without getting an out, and [T.J. McFarland](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcfartj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
gave up 5 more in the 8th.

The Pirates series was much better; they outscored the Bucs 28 to 11, thanks for
18 runs on Sunday. In that blowout, we got another Sunday position player on the
mound. This time it was [Yadier Molina](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/molinya01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral).
Yadi threw the 9th inning, allowing 4 runs on 4 hits, 2 of which were homers; [he chalked up his lack of command to the rain](https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/yadier-molina-makes-first-mlb-pitching-appearance).
He threw to [Albert Pujols](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
for his warmup pitches. No word on if the Pirates found it as amusing as the Giants
did with Pujols.

We also got the MLB Debuts of [Nolan Gorman](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gormano01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
and [Matthew Liberatore](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/liberma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral).
The team has to be happy with both. Liberatore went 4.2 innings, allowing 4 runs
on 7 hits and 2 walks; he struck out 3. On the surface, the numbers look questionable;
if you look at his pitches, there is promise. He threw mainly a sinker and curve,
but mixed in a 4-seam, slider, and change. The curveball looked good (even though
one was hit out for a homer), but the sinker was very hittable (.500 batting average
against it). Once he gets that under control, his other pitches will look better.
More on Gorman later.

**Week previewThe Cardinals will have 2 against the Blue Jays and 4 against the 
Brewers; they are off on Wednesday. The Cardinals haven’t faced the Blue Jays this
year; they are 2-2 against the Brewers.

**NL Central Standing**

| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Last 10 | Streak | 
| Brewers | 26 | 15 | .634 | — | 6-4 | L1 | 
| Cardinals | 23 | 18 | .561 | 3.0 | 6-4 | W3 | 
| Pirates | 16 | 24 | .400 | 9.5 | 3-7 | L3 | 
| Cubs | 16 | 24 | .400 | 9.5 | 5-5 | W1 | 
| Reds | 12 | 28 | .300 | 13.5 | 6-4 | W1 |

The Brewers have been able to stay atop the division, but their schedule has been
pretty easy compared to the Cardinals. The Cardinals have played the Mets and Giants
twice in the last few weeks, while the Brewers have faced the Reds, Marlins, Braves,
and Nationals. The Brewers will have to be good down the stretch to keep their lead,
and I don’t know if their hitters are that much better then the Cardinals.

As of today, the Cardinals are on pace for a 91-71 record.

**PythagoreanThe Cardinals have scored 200 runs this season and allowed 155, for
a run differential of 45. That should put their record at 25-18, or 2 losses worse
then they are; it’s within the 3 win deviation, so they are playing pretty close
to where they should be. Their run differential puts them on pace for a 100-62 record.

**Cardinal News**
A quick look at the Cardinal news…

 * [Steven Matz](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matzst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
   left his start on Sunday without getting an out; it was a good thing Liberatore
   was send down because a “fresh” [Angel Rondon](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rondoan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
   was able to come up and eat some innings. Matz got an MRI last night, but the
   Cardinals haven’t released the results at the time of writing. He is [headed to the IL with a shoulder impingement](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/05/cardinals-announce-roster-moves-matz-carlson-fernandez-liberatore-nootbaar/).
 * Which means we’ll see Liberatore back up sooner then later. His start wasn’t 
   bad, but he struggled with location. It’s his first start, so don’t write him
   off yet. Look for him to build off this and improve when [he goes again on Saturday](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/05/2022-busch-stadium-homestand-highlights-4/).
 * [Dylan Carlson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=carlsdy01,carlso001dyl&search=Dylan+Carlson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
   is joining Matz on the IL with left hamstring soreness; he left Saturdays game,
   then missed Sunday. [Lars Nootbaar](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nootbla01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
   gets the call in his spot; they are already down [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)
   and had to play [Brendan Donovan](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/donovbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
   in right field. I’m expecting we’ll see more [Tommy Edman](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/edmanto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
   and Donovan in the outfield over [Corey Dickerson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dickeco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral).
 * With Gorman and Liberatore [being added to the roster](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/05/cardinals-promote-nolan-gorman-matthew-liberatore/),
   the [team announced](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/05/cardinals-add-matthew-liberatore-to-active-roster/)
   they have designated [T.J. Zeuch](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zeuchtj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
   for assignment. Zeuch hasn’t seen time with the Cardinals this season and has
   been a potential DFA for a while. O’Neill was placed on the 10-Day IL for Gorman’s
   promotion. Walsh was optioned to Memphis to make room for Liberatore on the active
   roster.
 * And this just in…[Molina is headed to the bereavement list](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/05/cardinals-place-yadier-molina-on-bereavement-list-recall-ivan-herrera/)
   and the Cardinals are promoting catcher of the future [Ivan Herrera](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=herrer002iva&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral);
   I’m hoping we get to see Herrera get the starts while Yadi is out to see how 
   close he is to being ready.

**RumorsNo real rumors out there right now, but if Matz is out for a substantial
period, the team could start getting involved in the starting pitching market; a
rental innings eater would be the best…someone like [Sean Manaea](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/manaese01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
from Oakland would fit this bill. There is also a possibility they could try to 
add to their outfield depth, but I believe if they go this route it’ll be a minor
league deal since they have options right now.

The System

 * Memphis Redbirds: 22-20
 * Springfield Cardinals: 16-23
 * Peoria Chiefs: 17-22
 * Palm Beach Cardinals: 14-25

The system is struggling, but the Cardinals aren’t worried about final records; 
they are worried about how guys are progressing. With the injuries at the Major 
League level, guys are getting shuffled to fill in at other levels. If players are
getting better, a system under .500 isn’t a big deal.

**Former CardinalsA quick look at former Cardinals in the news…

 * [Jason Heyward](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/heywaja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
   OF, Cubs) was [placed on the Covid IL](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33934559/chicago-cubs-place-jason-heyward-injured-list-no-designation).
   He’ll be eligible to come off after 10 days unless he meets the established criteria
   to be removed earlier. Another former Cardinal, [Rafael Ortega](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ortegra01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
   will take over centerfield for Heyward.
 * [Lance Lynn](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lynnla01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
   RHP, White Sox) was [moved to the 60-Day IL](https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/white-soxs-lance-lynn-shifts-to-60-day-il/)
   because of his torn knee tendon from spring training. He hasn’t started a rehab
   stint yet, so this won’t impact his timeline of returning, which has to be after
   June 6. His 40-man spot went to [Lucas Giolito](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/giolilu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
   who has returned from Covid.
 * [Carlos Martinez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=martica04,martica03,martica02,martin024car,martin019car,martin023car&search=Carlos+Martinez&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
   RHP, Red Sox) didn’t [last long with the Red Sox](https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1526684370911825920);
   he was released from his minor league contract after 2 bad starts (4.1 IP, 10
   R). He’ll be looking to latch on with another team, almost guaranteed on a minor
   league deal.
 * [Ildemaro Vargas](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vargail01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
   IF, Cubs) was [designated for assignment over the weekend](https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/05/cubs-select-p-j-higgins-designate-ildemaro-vargas.html);
   Vargas provides little offense and his roster spot was needed for another catcher.
   He has the right to decline a minor league assignment if that’s the route the
   Cubs want to go.

**Gorman’s startWhile it’s only been 16 plate appearances, Gorman has looked pretty
good. He’s only had a strikeout and has walked twice; both are surprising given 
his minor league numbers. It’s also surprising that he hasn’t hit a homer yet; he
is getting solid contact and has 5 hits.

We’ll see how he adjusts as he gets more sliders thrown to him. Right now, he’s 
seen 40.9% fastballs, 36.4% off speed (change), and 22.7% breaking (curve, slider).
With him hitting .500, I’m thinking he’ll see fewer fastballs and more sliders as
the pitchers start to get more video of him. In the minors, the slider has been 
the big issue.

So far the fielding has been good. There really hasn’t been too much of a test of
range yet, so the jury is still out if second is his long term future. He’s at least
going to be serviceable, which puts the pitchers at a disadvantage compared to last
year. Having a [Paul DeJong](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dejonpa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)/
[Edmundo Sosa](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sosaed01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
tandem at short with Edman at second is much better for a groundball staff then 
Edman/Gorman up the middle. We won’t be able to see the long-term impact of the 
defense until at least August.

_Check back later this week as I breakdown the bullpen usage this season._

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