HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 18: José Fermín #15 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of the game against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on April 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images While the Cardinals on offense have been all but miracle workers so far, surviving very slow starts by Ivan Herrera and Masyn Winn, and a bottom of the order that often includes the far below league average hitting of Pedro Pages, Nathan Church, and Victor Scott II (not to mention Nolan Gorman still not living up to his potential).There have already been attempts to alleviate this bottom of the order problem, but Thomas Saggese can’t hit either, apparently.
To be fair Herrera has been the victim of hitting it right at guys and just general bad luck (while walking a ton and getting on base the hard way through HBP), and Winn just was still warming up from spring training or slumping to start the season. The big surprise of the year has been Jordan Walker, who leads the team in WAR, home runs, and RBI. Burleson, Gorman, Wetherholt, and Herrera have joined in the RBI fun as well.
Surely the Cardinals haven’t been winning just because the top 4 batters in the order are getting on base a ton? Not everyone gets on base a lot but the outfield defense with guys like Victor Scott II, Nathan Church, Thomas Saggese (who has some good defensive numbers so far), and Jose Fermin plus Jordan Walker’s arm in right…Add to that the best defensive second baseman so far in MLB, JJ Wetherholt, and the elite defense and arm of Masyn Winn, plus Nolan Gorman and Ramon Urias saving even more runs over at the hot corner, and effective catching… you’re just going to keep yourself in some games this way.
Has anyone noticed Gorman has saved a couple of runs so far on defense? But you didn’t see that one coming. He’s defending better than Urias but not hitting as much.
Gorman is starting to turn it around, slowly, on offense. His BABIP against is pretty low too.What Cardinals have played in the most games? Before Tuesday, Burleson, Herrera, Scott, Walker, and Wetherh0lt have all been in 22 games.
Nolan Gorman has only had 1 game off. Nathan Church is getting a good amount of playing time. Winn got hit by a pitch badly enough to make him miss a few games.
Saggese, Pages, Fermin, and Pozo have all played in less games than the other position players. It’s time to get Fermin more playing time!Perhaps coming with the territory of a young team, the Cardinals have been good on the basepaths this year in baserunning value. JJ Wetherholt, Jordan Walker, and Masyn Winn have combined to go 9 for 9 in stolen bases *mostly JJ Wetherholt and Jordan Walker.
The offense could carry this team somewhat, when they also provide good defense. The Cardinals have been one of the best defensive teams in baseball so far in 2026. Now that Nathan Church has 2 home runs, I am starting to come around on an idea: Nathan Church in CF, and Jose Fermin in LF.
This makes Victor Scott II the 4th outfielder, which is ok. He is still useful for now.The pitching overall is what makes this team anxiety-inducing. The starting rotation will struggle HARD just to be mediocre.
The floor is rather low. But the bullpen is what has given many fans the heebie-jeebies. What kind of hope do we have with this kind of pitching staff?
When the offense slumps, it’s going to get ugly!Matthew Liberatore has pretty darn good active spin rates on his changeup and curveball, his curve being one of the most impressive with total movementSweepers! Riley O’Brien, Justin Bruihl, and Dustin May all have really good spin rates with their sweepersRyne Stanek has the most active spin rates on his 4-seam fastball in all of MLB! …and 2nd most with his split-finger fastball… in all of baseball (if you’re wondering why they signed him, there you go)In addition to Liberatore… Graceffo, Pallante, and May have thrown curveballs with a lot of total movementBruihl, Romero, and McGreevy have all been throwing sinkers with a good amount of sink… McGreevy’s slider and sweeper have been working pretty well for him, too!That said, as a staff, Cardinals pitching has been ineffective so far in 2026.
Too many walks, hits, and therefore runs given up. They are not striking anyone out. You might think it’s the bullpen, but the starting rotation has been as bad or worse.
At least the bullpen has the stellar performances of Riley O’Brien and JoJo Romero. Maybe Gordon Graceffo will keep helping to put out fires. Can the Cardinals continue to compete without much pitching?
That is tough to say… no one saw this coming. The competing, that is! They are on the verge of another series win, if they can pull it off this afternoon.
I mean, this morning? and afternoon! the game starts just after 11 AM today. I leave you with the question, what happens when Hunter Dobbins is promoted to the rotation? 6 man at first, maybe, but then?1987I went hi