Sonny Gray has experienced a slump lately. Should the Cardinals be concerned about his performance?
On June 23, St. Louis Cardinals’ ace Sonny Gray delivered another stellar performance against the visiting San Francisco Giants. Over seven innings, Gray allowed just one hit, a solo home run. He flirted with a no-hitter before being pulled in the 8th inning. His ERA dropped to 2.81, solidifying his position as a strong contender for the NL Cy Young Award. Through the first three months of the season, Gray was one of the best pitchers in baseball. “Sonny Gray Day” became a cherished event for Cardinals fans.
However, since that dominant outing, Gray’s performance has dipped. In his last four starts, he has posted a 6.17 ERA over 23.1 innings. On June 29, he struggled against Cincinnati, allowing six runs (three earned) in less than five innings. His next start in Washington was also poor, with five runs allowed in five innings. After the All-Star break, Gray’s outing in Atlanta was disappointing as he gave up five runs over seven innings, including four solo home runs. This was surprising since he had only allowed two homers in his previous 53 innings.
Despite these struggles, there are positive signs. Gray has pitched into the seventh inning in each of his last two starts, and his FIP over this period is a solid 3.93, indicating some bad luck. For the season, his FIP stands at 2.89, one of the best in MLB. He continues to generate strikeouts and his underlying metrics remain strong. While he is allowing more barrels, this is likely skewed by his rough outing in Atlanta. Nonetheless, there are concerns about his recent form.
The Cardinals shouldn’t be overly worried about their ace just yet. Gray has been unlucky and has a chance to bounce back against a struggling Washington lineup. Despite his recent struggles, he remains one of the top pitchers in the National League. Although a Cy Young Award might be out of reach now, he deserved an All-Star nod.
For the Cardinals to stay competitive and in the playoff hunt, they need Gray to return to his peak form. Hopefully, he will be at his best when it matters most in September and October.
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