{"id":162295,"date":"2025-07-09T02:40:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T02:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/162295\/"},"modified":"2025-07-09T02:40:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T02:40:10","slug":"cardinals-need-to-make-difficult-decisions-on-starting-rotation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/162295\/","title":{"rendered":"Cardinals Need to Make Difficult Decisions on Starting Rotation"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the St. Louis Cardinals begin to lose ground in the postseason race, there is a glaring issue on the team: the starting rotation. Most notably, an issue with two veteran pitchers on expiring deals. Miles Mikolas<\/a> and Erick Fedde<\/a> have been in ruts that have lasted more than a month, and it\u2019s costing the team. If they are going to stay competitive as the trade deadline looms, they need to address their starting rotation<\/a> problems.<\/p>\n

\"\"Jul 6, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Erick Fedde (12) in the dugout after being relieved during the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
\nBlowout Losses Highlight Problem with Cardinals Starting Rotation<\/p>\n

The issue with the two right-handed starters came to a head this weekend. Mikolas pitched in game one of a series with the division-leading Chicago Cubs, and Fedde pitched in game three. The results were an 11-3 loss in game one and an 11-0 loss in game three. The Cardinals managed to get an 8-6 win in game two, started by Matthew Liberatore<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mikolas gave up a franchise record six home runs to the Cubs over the weekend. Meanwhile, Fedde only managed to pitch an inning and a third where fewer than half of his pitches found the strike zone, and he issued four walks. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol<\/a> admitted after their 11-0 loss on ESPN\u2019s Sunday Night Baseball that the team may have to make some changes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll use (Monday) to take a step back and figure out what that looks like,\u201d Marmol told The Athletic\u2019s Katie Woo<\/a>. \u201c(Fedde) has to find a solution to what\u2019s going on and make an adjustment in order to get through an outing successfully. Continuing to go down this road doesn\u2019t seem like it\u2019s beneficial at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mikolas and Fedde Both Struggling for Weeks<\/p>\n

Both Mikolas and Fedde have been struggling for the past month and a half. Neither has notched a win since May. The team is a combined 4-9 since June in games started by the pair. In his last five starts, Fedde has posted a 9.30 ERA with 12 walks. While Fedde is struggling to find the strike zone, Mikolas is teeing his pitches up for batters. Mikolas has an 8.31 ERA in his last five starts while surrendering 11 home runs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe evaluate every time,\u201d Marmol said after Mikolas\u2019 six-home run start on Friday. \u201cWe\u2019ll look at all of it tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cardinals have now slid a game and a half out of the last Wild Card position. They are behind the San Diego Padres as the first runner-up in the Wild Card race, and the Cincinnati Reds are nipping at their heels. The Cardinals are 11-9 since June in games not started by Mikolas and Fedde, they are 15-18 overall.<\/p>\n

Oli Marmol on what\u2019s next for Erick Fedde:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll use tomorrow as an off day to take a step back and figure out what that looks like. He has to find a solution to what\u2019s going on. \u2026 Continuing to go down this road doesn\u2019t seem beneficial at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) July 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Their offense has stalled in recent weeks due to Ivan Herrera<\/a>, Nolan Arenado<\/a>, Willson Contreras<\/a>, and Jordan Walker<\/a> all missing games for injuries<\/a>. However, the glaring issue is the .307 winning percentage in games Mikolas and Fedde start.<\/p>\n

A Quick Fix to the Rotation<\/p>\n

The Cardinals are in a position where they have an obvious pitcher in the minors to potentially slide into the rotation. Michael McGreevy<\/a> has made several spot starts<\/a> this season as the schedule has made off-days hard to find. Starts versus the Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers have brought his ERA up to 4.22 \u2014 still lower on the season than both Fedde and Mikolas. However, in starts not against division leaders, he has performed admirably. In his other two appearances, he has pitched 10 2\/3 innings and only surrendered one run.<\/p>\n

\u201cMcGreevy is lurking, and we can only hold him down so long. At some point, he\u2019s going to get an opportunity,\u201d Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told KMOX radio on Sunday.<\/p>\n

McGreevy has appeared ready for the big leagues since last season. The 2021 first-round pick could get his chance to stay with the Cardinals for good soon. With an off day on Monday, the Cardinals rearranged their rotation schedule to ensure their ace Sonny Gray<\/a> would start two of their remaining six games before the All-Star Break. They haven\u2019t announced the weekend rotation yet. However, McGreevy is available to come back up and start the same day Fedde\u2019s spot in the rotation would come up.<\/p>\n

Uncertainty About Long-Term Solution<\/p>\n

It was almost a year ago that the Cardinals traded for Fedde in a deal that sent eventual NLCS MVP Tommy Edman<\/a> to the Dodgers. Fedde is on an expiring deal, and was once thought to be a valuable trade chip for the Cardinals this year. His performance has hurt that status. Mikolas is unlikely to be traded, and has a no-trade clause anyway. He is being paid $17.6 million this year and is a tough contract to get rid of if his issues persist.<\/p>\n

While McGreevy seems poised to take a rotation spot if both veterans don\u2019t correct their issues, the Cardinals do have another roster option as a starter. Veteran left-hander<\/a> Steven Matz<\/a> has performed admirably this season after being relegated to the bullpen out of spring training. He has a 3.45 ERA in two starts and 23 bullpen appearances. However, if he slides into the rotation, he would be the third left-handed starter along with Liberatore and Andre Pallante<\/a>. It would also be a blow to the bullpen<\/a>, as he has been the most consistent left-handed reliever the team has.<\/p>\n

Trade Deadline Looms Over Rotation Issues<\/p>\n

If the Cardinals decide to be buyers<\/a> at the trade deadline, a starter suddenly seems like a priority. This is complicated for the team. The Cardinals are in limbo on whether they want to buy or sell, and their performance in the next few weeks will likely determine how they approach the deadline.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to be a little patient, see how this plays out,\u201d Mozeliak told KMOX Radio on Sunday. \u201cI hope we have a really strong, molten July and we have some tough decisions to make come July 31st.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cardinals desperately need the All-Star Break to get their banged-up lineup healthy. However, if they are going to contend and be in a position to buy at the end of the month, it may come with difficult decisions about their two struggling starters.<\/p>\n

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Main Photo Credit: \u00a9 Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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