Christine: They just got swept by the Pirates. They’re bleeding out on injuries. And now they have to fly across the country to face the absolute juggernaut that is the Los Angeles Dodgers? This isn’t just a tough assignment; it’s a nightmare scenario for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Jason: It really is, Christine. You look at the roster right now, and it feels like we’re playing with one hand tied behind our back. But that’s exactly where you find out who wants it more. We’re breaking down the pitching matchup, the injury crisis, and whether there’s any life left in this lineup against elite pitching.
Christine: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Christine, and this is your daily preview of the St. Louis Cardinals. Joining me as always is our resident analyst, Jason. Jason, how are you holding up after that sweep in Pittsburgh?
Jason: I’m holding up, but my blood pressure is spiking. It’s been a brutal week for the Cardinals. We talked about the need for timely hitting, and instead, Esmerlyn Valdez and Jared Triolo were homering for the Pirates. Brandon Lowe added an RBI single, and suddenly we’re looking at a 5-4 loss on Sunday.
Christine: And let’s not forget Saturday, when Rafael Flores Jr. hit a three-run homer and Lowe added another solo shot to lift Pittsburgh to a 6-2 victory. It’s been two losses, and now we’re heading to Los Angeles. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here is what we are covering today: first, we’ll look at the pitching probables and the rotation issues. Second, we’ll dive deep into the injury report—who is out, and who is filling in? And finally, we’ll talk about the keys to survival against the Dodgers and make a bold prediction for the series.
Jason: Sounds like a plan. Let’s get into it.
Christine: Alright, Segment One: The Series and the Pitching Probables. We just finished a three-game set against the Pirates, and honestly, the pitching was a mixed bag. On Friday, Quinn Mathews got his first MLB win, allowing just one run over five and two-thirds innings. That was a bright spot.
Jason: Right. And Jimmy Crooks hit a two-run homer to support him. But then you look at the last two games, and the offense just couldn't string anything together. Against the Dodgers, who do you think starts? Do they go with someone from the bottom of the rotation, or do they try to save their arms?
Christine: Well, we know Andre Pallante is on the 15-day IL, so he’s not an option. Peter Strzelecki is also on the 15-day IL. Konnor Griffin is on the 60-day IL. So the available starters are Kyle Leahy, Matthew Liberatore, Quinn Mathews, and Michael McGreevy. Given the short rest, I’d expect them to lean on Mathews again if he can pitch on short notice, or maybe Liberatore.
Jason: That’s a thin group, Christine. You’re talking about guys who have been up and down. If they go with Liberatore or Leahy, they need to miss bats. The Dodgers have a lineup that eats left-handed pitching alive, so if they start a lefty, they better have a plan for the middle of the order. But honestly, with the bullpen being so depleted, every inning matters.
Christine: Speaking of the bullpen, let’s talk about the absences. We mentioned Pallante and Strzelecki, but who else is missing from the staff?
Jason: Actually, looking at the roster, the starting pitchers seem okay availability-wise compared to the position players, but the relievers... well, let’s get to that in the next segment because it’s worse. For now, the key is that whoever takes the mound for St. Louis needs to keep the game close. Because if they fall behind early against LA, it’s going to be a long night.
Christine: Agreed. The Dodgers are always dangerous at home. So, sticking with us—because we’ve got some serious injury news to unpack next.
Jason: Segment Two: Key Hitters, Bullpen Questions, and the Injury Report. Christine, when I look at the Cardinals' current injury list, it’s staggering. We’re talking about Masyn Winn on the 10-day IL. Everson Pereira on the 10-day IL. JJ Wetherholt on the 10-day IL with wrist tendinitis. Ryan O'Hearn on the 10-day IL.
Christine: It really is. And Endy Rodriguez is also on the 10-day IL. Mitch Keller is on the 60-day IL, though he’s a Pirate, so that helps us slightly in terms of competition, but for us? Losing Winn, Wetherholt, and O’Hearn is a massive blow. Who is stepping up in the infield?
Jason: You’re looking at Cesar Prieto and Ramon Urias at third base, and Joshua Baez likely getting more time at second or utility. It’s a makeshift infield. And without Wetherholt, who was showing some promise as a rookie, you lose some defensive versatility and some pop off the bench. O’Hearn provides depth at first and DH, so Alec Burleson might see more time at first, or Nolan Gorman could shift around.
Christine: Nolan Gorman is crucial here. He’s at third base, but he’s also a power threat. In those last two losses to Pittsburgh, did you see Gorman trying to carry the load?
Jason: He tried. But you saw the results. The Pirates’ pitching was too good. In the 5-4 loss, Valdez and Triolo homered. In the 6-2 loss, Flores Jr. had a three-run homer. The Cardinals couldn’t counter. Gorman needs to be aggressive early in counts. If he waits too long, he’s going to get ahead of himself.
Christine: What about the outfield? Jordan Walker has been a staple for us. Remember, in our last episode, we predicted he would hit a home run in the series finale against Pittsburgh. Did he?
Jason: He didn’t. Unfortunately, he went hitless in that final game. Which is frustrating because we needed that spark. But against the Dodgers, Walker is going to need to be even better. He’s facing elite pitching. His plate discipline has to be perfect. If he chases sliders outside, he’s done.
Christine: Ouch. Okay, so no homer for Walker on Sunday. But we still have Pedro Pages, Ivan Herrera, and Jimmy Crooks behind the plate. Crooks did hit that two-run homer against Pittsburgh on Friday. Is he the guy to watch?
Jason: Crooks showed some flash. But Herrera is the veteran presence. With all these injuries, the catching tandem needs to manage the pitchers effectively. Especially since the bullpen is stretched thin. Let’s talk about the relievers. Who is actually available?
Christine: Looking at the roster, we have Justin Bruihl, Ryan Fernandez, Luis Gastelum, Gordon Graceffo, Brycen Mautz, Riley O'Brien, George Soriano, Ryne Stanek, and Cade Winquest. That’s nine relievers. But are they all healthy? None of them are listed on the IL, which is good. But Ryne Stanek is usually your closer-type arm. He’ll be busy.
Jason: Stanek is going to be working on short rest potentially. If the starter goes only four innings, Stanek is in. Then you have Graceffo and Gastelum, who have been solid fill-ins. But the depth is razor-thin. One bad outing, one extra-inning game, and you’re pulling guys who haven’t pitched in days.
Christine: This brings us to the biggest question: How do you survive a seven-game series against the Dodgers with this many holes in the roster? Stick with us, because we’re going to give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction next.
Jason: Segment Three: Keys to the Series and a Bold Prediction. Christine, we’re 68-70. We’re third in the NL Central. The Pirates are 66-71, fourth in the division. Technically, we’re still in the hunt, but realistically, we’re playing for pride and player development. But that doesn’t mean we don’t want to win.
Christine: Exactly. Pride matters. Development matters. When you bring up kids like Wetherholt or Mathews, you want them to see what it’s like to compete against the best. The Dodgers are the best. So, what are the keys for St. Louis to pull off an upset? Or at least, to not get swept?
Jason: Key number one: Early offense. You cannot trail early against LA. Their bullpen is elite. If you go up 1-0 or 2-1 in the first three innings, you give yourself a chance. Key number two: Defense. With Prieto and Urias in the mix, you can’t afford errors. Every error against the Dodgers is three runs.
Christine: And key number three: Bullpen management. You have to use Stanek, Graceffo, and Gastelum wisely. Don’t burn them out in the first series. Save them for the tight spots. But Jason, I have to ask: What is your bold prediction for this series against the Dodgers?
Jason: My bold prediction? I think the Cardinals take one game. Just one. Maybe Quinn Mathews gets another quality start, and the bullpen holds on for a 3-2 win in a low-scoring affair. I’m predicting a split. Not a sweep, not a win series, but one win for St. Louis.
Christine: One win! That’s optimistic, Jason. I’m going to go with zero wins. I think the talent gap is just too wide. The Dodgers are a different beast. But I love that you’re giving us hope. What about Jordan Walker? Will he bounce back?
Jason: I think Walker gets a hit. Maybe not a home run, but a double or a single. He needs to get back on track. And I think Alec Burleson drives in the winning run in that one potential Cardinals victory. He’s been consistent, and against a tired Dodgers pitcher, he could capitalize.
Christine: Burleson driving in the run. I’ll take that. So, recap: The Cardinals are dealing with major injuries to Winn, Wetherholt, and O’Hearn. The pitching staff is thin with Pallante and Strzelecki out. But they have young arms like Mathews ready to step up. The key is early offense and smart bullpen usage.
Jason: And remember, even in a losing season, every game is a learning experience. These kids need to see how to handle pressure. Facing the Dodgers is the ultimate pressure test.
Christine: If you enjoyed this preview, please subscribe, rate, and review the Beatline Podcast Network wherever you listen. Share this episode with your fellow Cardinal fans. Let’s show them our support!
Jason: Go Cards. See you tomorrow.
Christine: Go Cards!