The St. Louis Cardinals wrapped up their homestand like they did their first, with a rain delay and a win. The Cardinals still have questions in their bullpen, but they are beginning to churn through some arms looking for an answer. 10 relief pitchers have taken the rubber for the Cardinals this season. Chris Roycroft has been optioned to Triple-A Memphis, Jared Shuster has been designated for assignment, and Matt Pushard has landed on the Injured List.
While the bullpen has three active arms with an ERA north of 8.00, Jojo Romero and Riley O’Brien have yet to allow an Earned Run this season. That pairing has been the end goal for the Cardinals' attack plan this season: get through seven innings with the lead and hand the ball over to their bell cows with the lead. The issue with that, aside from just one starting pitcher with an ERA under 4.00, is that the Cardinals' rotation is averaging 5 innings pitched per start, leaving the sixth and seventh innings in limbo with relievers that have yet to suffocate opposing offenses. O’Brien has saved five and won two games for the Cardinals this season, quickly putting a stranglehold on the closer role in the St. Louis bullpen.
Looking past the shaky pitching staff, Jordan Walker continues to rake. The Cardinal right fielder is slashing .319/.373/.710 and leads Major League Baseball in home runs. He has excelled in his newfound role in the heart of the Cardinal lineup, leading the team in RBIs with 15, and Alec Burleson is trailing behind him with 14. Aside from his dominant stretch of power, Walker has put together an 11-game hitting streak that he will look to extend in Houston.
Walker is not the only one who had a strong homestand; Nathan Church played hero in the second game against the Guardians and followed it up with a three-hit day in the finale. Church is battling for more playing time in left field with Thomas Saggese and Jose Fermin, and his finish to the previous series should help him earn some if he keeps it going. Along with Church, JJ Wetherholt, who is already getting on base at a .354 clip, hit two home runs in Tuesday night's contest. The Cardinals' second baseman has done what he has been asked so far: get on base as the leadoff man. All that Wetherholt has been missing is utilizing his slugging ability, and he did so against the Guardians, which should go a long way in his development at the major league level.
The Redbirds depart St. Louis with a 10-8 record after dropping the series to the Boston Red Sox two games to one, and besting the Cleveland Guardians by the same score in their three-game set. Next on the schedule will be a three-game trip to see the Houston Astros, followed by a trip to South Beach to face the Miami Marlins.