Romero struck out two in a perfect inning to earn his 10th hold of the season in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Mets.
Romero had some control issues in spring training, but they disappeared when the games started to count. He's pitched to a 1.23 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 16:2 K:BB over 14.2 innings this season. Romero is part of the Cardinals' high-leverage mix with 10 holds -- matching his total from his previous four seasons combined. He is unlikely to challenge Ryan Helsley for closing duties, but Romero is providing quality innings when called upon.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Andrew Kittredge: Up to 10 holds
Rotowire
Kittredge allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter in a scoreless inning to earn his 10th hold of the season in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Mets.
Kittredge has been excellent in a high-leverage role for the Cardinals. He's been scored on just once in 13 appearances, posting a 0.75 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB through 12 innings. Manager Oliver Marmol has gone with more clearly defined roles in the bullpen this year than in previous seasons, and Kittredge has slotted in as a strong setup man in his first year with the team.
Cardinals' Paul Goldschmidt: Plates two, steals base
Rotowire
Goldschmidt went 2-for-5 with two RBI while netting his first stolen base of the season in Saturday's 7-4 victory over the Mets.
Goldschmidt one-hopped a two-run double off the wall as part of a four-run first inning for the Cardinals. He also added an infield single, a stolen base and another run scored. The former MVP did also strike out three times Saturday and has fanned at an elevated 30.1 percent. The production on the whole has ticked up over the past week, though, with Goldschmidt going 9-for-27 (.333) with one home run and four RBI.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Loads bases but nets save
Rotowire
Helsley struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to notch his ninth save of the season in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Mets.
Helsley made things interesting as he tried to protect a three-run advantage, loading the bases on two singles and a walk. However, with Francisco Lindor representing the go-ahead run he got the shortstop to pop out on the first pitch to end it. Helsley is 9-for-10 in save opportunities on the season and boasts a 1.80 ERA and 17:2 K:BB across 15 innings.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Sonny Gray: Fans nine in victory
Rotowire
Gray (3-1) picked up the win Saturday versus the Mets, allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out nine.
The Mets plated four runs during a sloppy fifth innings by the Cardinals which included a Nolan Arenado error. Just one of the runs on Gray's ledgers was earned, however, and he was in total control outside of that frame, facing just three over the minimum. Gray tripled his season walk total with three free passes in this one, but with the nine punchouts he now has an excellent 32:4 K:BB over his first 23.1 innings with St. Louis.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Willson Contreras: Pops homer Friday
Rotowire
Contreras went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 4-2 win over the Mets.
The Cardinals mustered just five hits, but Contreras and Alec Burleson provided a pair of homers to make it work. Contreras continues to play through a lingering hand injury, and while it's limited his ability to catch, he's been fine at the plate. Since the injury occurred April 3, he's gone 17-for-52 (.327) with two homers, six doubles and five RBI. For the season, he's slashing .296/.425/.563 with four homers, nine RBI, 12 runs scored, seven doubles and a stolen base over 21 contests. Contreras will continue to split time between catcher and designated hitter.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Alec Burleson: Slugs first homer of season
Rotowire
Burleson went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Friday's 4-2 win over the Mets.
His second-inning shot off Jose Butto gave Miles Mikolas and the Cardinals' bullpen all the offense they would need. It was Burleson's first long ball of the year, and his first extra-base hit since April 8. Jordan Walker's demotion cements Burleson into a strong-side platoon role, but his .259/.310/.352 slash line through 58 plate appearances with three runs and five RBI doesn't offer a lot of fantasy appeal.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Collects eighth save
Rotowire
Helsley struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his eighth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Mets.
The right-hander needed only nine pitches (seven strikes) to convert his eighth straight chance after blowing a save March 30. Helsley hasn't allowed an earned run in seven straight appearances, and he sports a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB through 14 innings on the season. The 29-year-old's career high is 19 saves, but he's tracking to blow past that mark by the All-Star break.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Miles Mikolas: Just misses quality start
Rotowire
Mikolas (2-3) picked up the win Friday, giving up two runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings in a 4-2 victory over the Mets. He struck out five without walking a batter.
The right-hander fell just short of his third quality start of the season, getting the hook in the sixth inning after 85 pitches (65 strikes) following doubles by Francisco Lindor and J.D. Martinez. Mikolas also served up a homer to light-hitting catcher Tomas Nido, the fourth long ball he's allowed in his last two starts, Mikolas will carry a 5.91 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB through 32 innings into his next outing, scheduled to come on the road next week in Detroit.
Carpenter (oblique) took swings on the field before Friday's game against the Mets, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Carpenter had been shut down after receiving a PRP injection in his right oblique Monday. He will swing again before Saturday's game, at which point the Cardinals will decide whether or not to send the 38-year-old veteran out on a rehab assignment.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Masyn Winn: Receives rest day
Rotowire
Winn is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Winn started the previous nine games but will take a seat Friday after he posted a .208/.394/.292 slash line during that stretch. Brandon Crawford will receive a start at shortstop in the series opener at New York.
Nootbaar went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Wednesday's win over the Diamondbacks.
Nootbaar doubled in his final at-bat of the contest to send home Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt, giving the Cardinals a 4-1 lead. It was the left fielder's fourth extra-base. of the season, and he's now driven in two runs in two of his last three games. Nootbaar has also hit safely in six of his last seven contests.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Kyle Gibson: Sharp after rough start
Rotowire
Gibson (2-2) earned the win against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings while striking out six.
Gibson got off to a rocky start, allowing back-to-back hits while also hitting Joc Pederson with a pitch to open the game. However, the right-hander managed to escape the inning with only one run coming across before shutting out the Diamondbacks over the next five frames. Gibson has now gone at least six innings in each of his first five starts to open the season, posting a 20:12 K:BB over that stretch. He's also gone two starts without allowing a home run after allowing at least one long ball in each of his first three outings.
Cardinals' Willson Contreras: In Wednesday's lineup
Rotowire
Contreras (hand) will start at designated hitter and bat second in Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.
He made an early exit from Tuesday's loss to Arizona with lingering left hand soreness, although Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said afterward that Contreras' removal had more to do with the lopsided score. Contreras intends to continue playing through discomfort, but might see more reps at DH than catcher, opening up starts behind the plate for Ivan Herrera.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Alec Burleson: Sitting against lefty
Rotowire
Burleson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
While his path to regular playing time against right-handed pitching has opened up a bit with Jordan Walker getting optioned to Triple-A Memphis earlier Wednesday, the lefty-hitting Burleson is still projected to sit regularly against lefties. Burleson's absence from the lineup Wednesday thus comes as little surprise with southpaw Jordan Montgomery on the hill for Arizona.
