Cardinals Need to Address Starting Rotation Problems

Blowout Losses Highlight Problem with Cardinals Starting Rotation

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.

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 admitted after their 11-0 loss on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball that the team may have to make some changes.

“We’ll use (Monday) to take a step back and figure out what that looks like,” Marmol told The Athletic’s Katie Woo. “(Fedde) has to find a solution to what’s going on and make an adjustment in order to get through an outing successfully. Continuing to go down this road doesn’t seem like it’s beneficial at the moment.”

Mikolas and Fedde Both Struggling for Weeks

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.

“We evaluate every time,” Marmol said after Mikolas’ six-home run start on Friday. “We’ll look at all of it tomorrow.”

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.

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

A Quick Fix to the Rotation

The Cardinals are in a position where they have an obvious pitcher in the minors to potentially slide into the rotation. Michael McGreevy has made several spot starts 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 — 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.

“McGreevy is lurking, and we can only hold him down so long. At some point, he’s going to get an opportunity,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told KMOX radio on Sunday.

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 would start two of their remaining six games before the All-Star Break. They haven’t announced the weekend rotation yet. However, McGreevy is available to come back up and start the same day Fedde’s spot in the rotation would come up.

Uncertainty About Long-Term Solution

It was almost a year ago that the Cardinals traded for Fedde in a deal that sent eventual NLCS MVP Tommy Edman 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.

While McGreevy seems poised to take a rotation spot if both veterans don’t correct their issues, the Cardinals do have another roster option as a starter. Veteran left-hander Steven Matz 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. It would also be a blow to the bullpen, as he has been the most consistent left-handed reliever the team has.

Trade Deadline Looms Over Rotation Issues

If the Cardinals decide to be buyers 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.

“We have to be a little patient, see how this plays out,” Mozeliak told KMOX Radio on Sunday. “I hope we have a really strong, molten July and we have some tough decisions to make come July 31st.”

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.