As the St. Louis Cardinals prepare to enter what could be one of the most demanding stretches of their entire season, beginning Friday with an unforgiving slate of 17 consecutive games against high-quality opponents, there has been growing speculation among both fans and media members about how the team can best shore up its pitching staff. The conversation has intensified due to the club’s uneven start on the mound, which has exposed several areas of concern and prompted a wide range of theories about potential adjustments.
A significant portion of that discussion has centered on Kyle Leahy and the ongoing experiment of using him in a starting role. The Cardinals’ decision to stretch Leahy out as a starter this season has drawn mixed reactions, particularly as the team continues to search for consistency within its rotation. While the move may have been rooted in a desire to explore internal options and maximize roster flexibility, the results thus far have left room for debate about whether this approach is sustainable, especially during a grueling stretch of games with little margin for error.
At the same time, there is a growing sense of anticipation surrounding Hunter Dobbins, who is nearing the completion of his rehabilitation assignment. Dobbins appears poised to rejoin the major league club soon, and expectations are building that he will be given an opportunity to contribute as a starter. His return could not come at a more critical juncture, as the Cardinals look for ways to stabilize a rotation that has struggled to deliver consistent performances.
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Given the demanding schedule ahead, it is widely believed that the Cardinals may opt to temporarily expand their rotation to a six-man unit. Such a move would serve multiple purposes. First, it would help manage the workload of the current starters, reducing the risk of fatigue or injury during a period with no off days.
Second, it would create an opening for Dobbins to step into a starting role without immediately displacing another pitcher. This approach would allow the team to evaluate Dobbins at the big league level while also preserving the health and effectiveness of the rest of the staff.
However, the underlying issue remains clear: the Cardinals need better production from their pitching staff as a whole. The current five-man rotation has posted a 4.46 ERA, a figure that places them near the bottom third of Major League Baseball. In addition to the lackluster run prevention, the group ranks just 17th in innings pitched, indicating that starters have not consistently worked deep into games. This has placed additional strain on the bullpen, which has been forced to cover more innings than ideal.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the bullpen has not been able to compensate effectively. With a 5.17 ERA that ranks 25th in the league, the relief corps has struggled to maintain leads and keep games within reach. The combination of an underperforming rotation and an unreliable bullpen has created a compounding problem, where weaknesses in one area are exacerbated by shortcomings in the other.
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These struggles have naturally led to questions about how the team can best allocate its resources. One of the most frequently proposed solutions involves shifting Kyle Leahy back into a bullpen role. Given his background and skill set, many believe that Leahy could provide a boost to a relief unit in need of stability. His ability to handle multiple innings could be particularly valuable, helping to bridge the gap between the starting rotation and the late-inning arms.
At the same time, inserting Hunter Dobbins into the rotation would address the need for a fresh arm capable of taking on starting duties. If Dobbins is indeed ready to contribute at the major league level, his addition could provide a spark and potentially improve the overall performance of the rotation. This dual move—moving Leahy to the bullpen while adding Dobbins to the rotation has been widely discussed as a logical way to address two problem areas simultaneously.
Despite the apparent simplicity of this solution, the decision is not without its complexities. The Cardinals must weigh a variety of factors, including player readiness, long-term development goals, and the potential impact on team chemistry. Transitioning Leahy back to the bullpen could disrupt the progress he has made as a starter, while rushing Dobbins into a prominent role carries its own risks. The organization must carefully evaluate whether these changes would provide a meaningful improvement or simply shift the challenges from one area to another.
Ultimately, the Cardinals find themselves at a pivotal moment in their season. The upcoming stretch of games will test not only their talent but also their depth and adaptability. How they choose to configure their pitching staff could play a significant role in determining whether they can navigate this difficult period successfully or fall further behind in a competitive landscape.
As the situation continues to evolve, the debate surrounding the team’s pitching strategy is unlikely to subside. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Cardinals respond, particularly when it comes to decisions involving Kyle Leahy and Hunter Dobbins. Whether the team opts for a six-man rotation, reassigns roles within the pitching staff, or pursues other solutions, one thing is certain: improvements will be necessary if the Cardinals hope to emerge from this challenging stretch in a stronger position.
Moving Kyle Leahy to the bullpen could kill two birds with one stone for the Cardinals
Through his first five outings of the season, Leahy has struggled to find any sort of consistency, and the results have reflected that in a concerning way. He currently carries a 5.63 ERA, a figure that underscores just how difficult things have been for him on the mound. On top of that, he’s averaging slightly less than five innings per start, which puts added strain on the bullpen behind him.
His strikeout numbers have also been underwhelming, with only 15 punchouts recorded so far, and his 1.67 WHIP highlights how frequently opposing hitters are reaching base against him. Altogether, it paints the picture of a pitcher who hasn’t been able to establish command, rhythm, or effectiveness in any particular area, and that lack of reliability has started to negatively impact the Cardinals as a whole.
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His most recent appearance, which came on Wednesday against the Miami Marlins, serves as a clear example of the issues he’s been dealing with. In that outing, Leahy surrendered four runs across five innings of work. While he managed to get through five frames, the performance was far from efficient or dominant. He struck out only two batters, issued three walks, and allowed eight hits, meaning traffic on the bases was a constant problem throughout his time on the mound.
It wasn’t an isolated incident either Leahy has now given up at least three runs in three of his five starts this season, and he has yet to pitch beyond the fifth inning in any outing. That inability to go deeper into games has compounded the challenges for the team, especially during a stretch where pitching depth is already being tested.
What makes these struggles even more notable is how sharply they contrast with Leahy’s performance just a year ago. Last season, he was one of the more dependable arms in the Cardinals’ bullpen, carving out a valuable role with his versatility and durability. Over the course of 62 appearances, he posted a strong 3.07 ERA while logging an impressive 88 innings.
He also maintained a strikeout rate close to one per inning, showing that he could miss bats while also handling a significant workload. Whether it was stepping into high-leverage situations or providing multiple innings to bridge the gap between the starter and the late-inning relievers, Leahy proved to be a reliable option for manager Oliver Marmol. He was essentially a Swiss Army knife for the pitching staff, capable of adapting to whatever role the team needed on a given day.
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That version of Leahy is a far cry from what the Cardinals are currently getting. Instead of being a stabilizing presence, he has become a question mark in the rotation. As things stand, Marmol’s circle of trust within the pitching staff appears to be fairly limited. Relievers like Riley O’Brien and JoJo Romero have earned a level of confidence with their performances, and more recently, Gordon Graceffo has made a strong case for inclusion in that group as well, boasting an impressive 0.77 ERA over 11.2 innings.
Beyond those arms, however, consistency has been harder to come by. George Soriano and Ryan Fernandez have each shown flashes of potential at different points, but both have also experienced their share of struggles, making it difficult to rely on them with complete confidence.
Given the current situation, it’s easy to see a potential path that could benefit the Cardinals on multiple fronts. If Leahy were able to rediscover the form he displayed last season and transition back into a bullpen role, it could provide a significant boost to the relief corps.
At the same time, replacing his spot in the starting rotation with a more dependable and effective starter could help stabilize the team’s overall pitching structure. In theory, that kind of adjustment would address two problem areas at once strengthening the bullpen while also improving the rotation.
However, that scenario doesn’t seem particularly likely in the immediate future. The Cardinals entered the season with specific goals and plans for how they wanted to utilize their pitching staff, and those plans have likely been complicated by recent setbacks to their rotation depth.
Injuries and other factors have limited their options, making it more difficult to reshuffle roles as freely as they might prefer. As a result, even though moving Leahy back to the bullpen could make sense from a performance standpoint, circumstances may force the team to continue giving him opportunities in the rotation, at least for the time being.
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Ultimately, Leahy’s early-season struggles have become an important storyline for the Cardinals as they try to navigate a challenging stretch of games. His inability to replicate last year’s effectiveness, combined with the team’s limited depth and inconsistent performances from other pitchers, has created a situation where every outing carries added significance. Until he either finds a way to turn things around or the team makes a change, his performance will remain a key factor in determining how the Cardinals’ pitching staff evolves over the course of the season.
Given their stated goals, the Cardinals should stick with Leahy in the rotation
Chaim Bloom has consistently emphasized that the organization’s focus this season extends well beyond immediate results. His message has been clear and repeated often: the priority is the long-term health and competitiveness of the franchise.
Whether that involves acquiring additional young, controllable talent through trades or ensuring that emerging players receive meaningful opportunities at the major league level, the overarching goal is to build a sustainable foundation for future success. This approach naturally requires patience, both from the front office and from the fan base, as short-term growing pains are often part of a larger rebuilding process.
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During a recent appearance on the Dealin’ the Cards podcast, Bloom once again reinforced this philosophy. He doubled down on the idea that this season should be viewed through a developmental lens rather than a purely results-driven one.
Given that context, making a sudden change in the starting rotation particularly moving away from Kyle Leahy at this stage would feel somewhat inconsistent with the messaging the organization has been delivering. If the Cardinals are truly committed to evaluating and developing talent at the major league level, then sticking with players through their struggles is part of that process.
There are several important reasons why maintaining Leahy in the rotation, at least for the time being, aligns with the team’s stated goals. First and foremost, it underscores the organization’s commitment to providing genuine opportunities.
Development is rarely linear, especially at the highest level of competition, and players need the chance to experience both success and failure. Allowing Leahy to work through his struggles sends a clear signal that the Cardinals are serious about giving their players room to grow, rather than pulling the plug at the first sign of adversity.
It’s also important to consider Leahy’s specific circumstances. He is in the midst of transitioning back into a starting role, something he has not consistently done since the 2022 season. That kind of adjustment is significant, both physically and mentally.
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Starters must build endurance, refine pitch sequencing, and learn how to navigate opposing lineups multiple times in a single outing. These are skills that often take time to redevelop, and it is not uncommon for pitchers in this situation to experience inconsistency early on. Expecting immediate results without allowing for that adjustment period would be unrealistic.
Beyond the developmental aspect, the Cardinals’ current roster situation also plays a major role in this decision. With Richard Fitts now sidelined for the remainder of the season following shoulder surgery, the team’s depth in terms of major league-ready starting pitching has taken a significant hit. Injuries are an unavoidable part of the game, but they can quickly expose a lack of depth, and that appears to be the case here.
At this point, the options behind Leahy are limited. Hunter Dobbins is one of the few pitchers who appears close to being ready for a sustained role at the major league level, but beyond him, the picture becomes less clear. Prospects like Quinn Mathews and Brycen Mautz are still in need of additional development time at Triple-A Memphis.
Rushing them to the majors prematurely could hinder their long-term progress, which would run counter to the organization’s broader strategy. That leaves the Cardinals with a relatively thin pool of alternatives, raising the question of whether someone like Bruce Zimmerman would be the next logical option if a change were to be made.
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Given these constraints, sticking with Leahy is not just a philosophical decision it is also a practical one. The team simply does not have an abundance of ready-made replacements waiting in the wings. Making a move for the sake of change, without a clearly superior alternative, could create more problems than it solves.
That said, patience does not mean blind commitment. There is a point at which performance must factor more heavily into decision-making. If Leahy continues to struggle over his next several outings say, four or five more starts then the conversation could begin to shift. At that stage, the Cardinals would need to reassess whether he is making the necessary adjustments and showing signs of progress, or whether a different approach is warranted.
For now, however, the organization appears inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. As long as they believe there is underlying potential worth developing, they are likely to remain committed to seeing this experiment through. This approach is not without precedent. Just last season, the Cardinals took a similar path with Matthew Liberatore, allowing him to grow into a starting role despite early challenges. That patience ultimately paid off, as Liberatore was able to establish himself as a viable member of the rotation.
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There is, of course, no guarantee that Leahy will follow the same trajectory. Every player’s development path is unique, and success is never assured. However, the possibility that he could make similar strides provides additional justification for the team’s current approach. Development often requires a willingness to endure short-term struggles in the hope of achieving long-term gains.
Ultimately, the decision to stick with Leahy reflects a combination of philosophy, necessity, and cautious optimism. The Cardinals are operating with a clear long-term vision, one that prioritizes growth and evaluation over immediate results. Within that framework, giving a transitioning pitcher like Leahy the opportunity to work through his challenges makes sense, especially given the lack of compelling alternatives.
As the season progresses, the situation will continue to evolve. Performance, health, and organizational needs will all play a role in shaping future decisions. But for now, the Cardinals appear content to stay the course, trusting in their process and hoping that patience will once again yield positive results.
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