The St. Louis Cardinals endured yet another frustrating result on Saturday night, dropping a 5–1 decision to the Miami Marlins. The loss highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles, as it marked their fourth straight defeat and continued a troubling downward trend.
With the setback, St. Louis has now slipped behind Miami in the National League wild-card standings, falling out of one of the three coveted postseason spots. The shift in positioning underscores just how quickly momentum can change over the course of a long baseball season, particularly when one team is surging and the other is mired in inconsistency.
Miami, on the other hand, has been playing some of its best baseball of the year. The Marlins’ victory was part of an impressive run in which they have won the majority of their recent games, showcasing both timely hitting and solid pitching. In this particular contest, they once again demonstrated their ability to capitalize on opportunities, outplaying the Cardinals on both sides of the ball. (Reuters)
For St. Louis, the loss was emblematic of broader issues that have plagued the club throughout the season. While there have been occasional bright spots, particularly from certain members of the starting rotation, the overall performance of the pitching staff has been inconsistent at best. This inconsistency has made it difficult for the team to string together wins, especially against opponents that are currently performing at a high level.
Among the Cardinals’ starters, a few pitchers have managed to deliver relatively solid outings. Dustin May, Andre Pallante, and Michael McGreevy have all shown flashes of effectiveness, helping stabilize the rotation at times.
Pallante, for instance, has been able to eat innings and keep games within reach on several occasions, even if his most recent outing was less successful. (Reuters) These contributions have prevented the situation from becoming even more dire, but they have not been enough to fully offset the struggles elsewhere in the rotation.
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One of the most concerning issues for St. Louis has been the performance of left-handed pitcher Matthew Liberatore. Once viewed as a key piece of the rotation with significant upside, Liberatore has had difficulty finding consistency this season. In his most recent start, he allowed six runs, continuing a pattern of outings in which he has been unable to limit damage during critical moments. (Viva El Birdos)
Digging deeper into his recent performances reveals a troubling trend. Liberatore has often been effective for stretches within games, but he has struggled to avoid big innings. Opposing hitters have been able to string together hits in clusters, leading to sudden spikes in runs allowed. Over a recent span of starts, his earned run average has ballooned, reflecting these recurring issues with command and execution. (SI)
Despite these struggles, the Cardinals appear set to continue giving Liberatore opportunities to work through his difficulties at the major league level. In a somewhat surprising move, he remains scheduled to take the mound in his next outing, which is set to come against the Atlanta Braves. This decision comes even as his ERA sits at an elevated 5.56, a figure that typically raises questions about a pitcher’s role and reliability.
The choice to stick with Liberatore could be interpreted in several ways. On one hand, it may reflect the organization’s belief in his long-term potential and a desire to allow him to develop by facing high-level competition. Young pitchers often experience growing pains, and teams sometimes prefer to let them work through challenges rather than pulling them from the rotation at the first sign of trouble.
On the other hand, the decision may also point to a lack of viable alternatives. Injuries and underperformance elsewhere on the roster have limited the Cardinals’ flexibility when it comes to reshuffling their pitching staff. As a result, even a struggling starter like Liberatore may continue to receive opportunities simply because there are few better options available at the moment.
Regardless of the reasoning, the situation places additional pressure on both Liberatore and the team as a whole. Facing a strong opponent like Atlanta will present a significant test, and how he performs in that outing could influence the Cardinals’ decisions moving forward. A strong start might help restore some confidence, while another poor performance could intensify calls for a change.
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Beyond the pitching concerns, the Cardinals’ recent skid also reflects issues on the offensive side of the game. In their loss to Miami, they managed just a single run, continuing a pattern of limited production at the plate. The inability to generate consistent offense has compounded the team’s pitching problems, leaving little margin for error in games where the staff struggles.
This combination of inconsistent pitching and underwhelming hitting has created a difficult stretch for St. Louis. The team has now lost several games in a row and has dropped a majority of its recent contests, allowing competitors like Miami to overtake them in the standings. (Reuters)
From a broader perspective, the Cardinals’ current situation highlights the challenges of maintaining success over the course of a full MLB season. Early-season performance can provide a foundation, but sustained contention requires consistency in all aspects of the game. When one area falters—whether it be starting pitching, bullpen reliability, or offensive production—it can quickly lead to a slide in the standings.
For St. Louis, the coming days will be critical. With the trade deadline approaching and the playoff race tightening, the team must find ways to address its weaknesses and regain momentum. Whether that involves internal adjustments, roster changes, or simply improved execution on the field remains to be seen.
In the meantime, all eyes will be on the rotation, and particularly on Matthew Liberatore. His upcoming start against the Braves represents not just another game, but a potential turning point—both for his season and for a Cardinals team in urgent need of stability.
Cardinals Playing Dangerous Game With Matthew Liberatore
Although Matthew Liberatore managed to work a bit deeper into his most recent outing—reaching the sixth inning for the first time since late May—the improvement was only marginal and did little to change the overall outlook. The underlying results were still discouraging, as he continued to allow significant damage on the scoreboard.
His struggles have become a recurring theme for the St. Louis Cardinals, and even when there are small signs of progress, they are overshadowed by persistent inconsistency and an inability to limit runs. Recent performances, including one in which he surrendered six runs over just more than five innings, reinforce the concern that his issues are not isolated but part of a larger trend. (Viva El Birdos)
Given the team’s current situation, it may be time for the Cardinals to seriously consider making a change in the starting rotation. They are in the midst of a losing streak, and continuing to rely on a pitcher who has struggled to find consistency could prolong their slump. While patience is often important in developing young arms, there comes a point where results must take priority—especially for a team trying to remain competitive in a tight postseason race.
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Fortunately for St. Louis, there are alternatives available within the organization. At the Triple-A level, several pitchers could step in and potentially provide a spark. Brycen Mautz, Quinn Mathews, and Hunter Dobbins are among the options who could be called upon. Dobbins, in particular, has already had some exposure to the major leagues this season, making him a relatively familiar choice.
Meanwhile, Mathews has been gaining attention as a promising arm who appears to be finding his rhythm, and Mautz offers another intriguing possibility depending on matchup considerations and readiness.
There has already been speculation that the Cardinals could shuffle their rotation to address these ongoing issues.
Reports suggest that both Liberatore and other struggling starters could be candidates for role changes, including potential moves to the bullpen, while younger or more effective pitchers from the minors are given opportunities to start. (Viva El Birdos) This kind of adjustment would not only address immediate performance concerns but could also help the team evaluate its long-term options as it continues to shape its roster.
The timing of any potential change is especially critical given the Cardinals’ upcoming schedule. The start of July presents a particularly difficult stretch, with multiple games against the Atlanta Braves as well as matchups against division rivals like the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs.
These are not forgiving opponents, and continuing to send out a struggling starter in those games could put the team at an even greater disadvantage. In a competitive National League environment, a prolonged losing streak during such a stretch could significantly damage their playoff hopes.
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That reality makes the decision surrounding Liberatore even more pressing. Keeping him in the rotation under current circumstances carries a degree of risk that the Cardinals may not be able to afford. If he continues to struggle, it could not only extend the losing streak but also create additional strain on the bullpen, which would be forced to cover more innings in games where the starter cannot go deep.
At the same time, the Cardinals must balance short-term competitiveness with their broader organizational strategy. The team’s depth is not as strong as it once was, particularly following roster moves such as the Sonny Gray trade, which altered their pitching situation. This lack of depth complicates decision-making, as there are fewer proven options to rely on. However, that reality also underscores the importance of maximizing the value of the players who are available.
Another key factor is the approaching trade deadline. Unlike teams firmly in contention, the Cardinals may not be in a position to aggressively add talent from outside the organization. If they are not likely to be buyers, then internal solutions become even more important. This means giving legitimate opportunities to players in Triple-A who could contribute, rather than continuing to rely on a struggling starter out of necessity or habit.
From a developmental standpoint, there is also a case to be made for making a change. Allowing Liberatore to continue taking the mound every fifth day despite poor results may not be beneficial for his growth or confidence.
A temporary move out of the rotation—whether to the bullpen or even back to the minors—could provide him with an opportunity to reset, refine his mechanics, and regain some confidence without the pressure of starting games at the major league level.
At the same time, promoting a pitcher like Mathews or giving Dobbins another shot would allow the Cardinals to evaluate what they have in their system. This is especially valuable for a team that appears to be navigating a transitional phase. By testing different options, they can gather information that will help inform decisions not just for the remainder of the season, but for the future as well.
Ultimately, continuing to rely on Liberatore in his current form does not appear to be the most effective strategy. His struggles have been well-documented, with elevated ERA figures and multiple outings in which he has allowed significant runs. (SI) While there have been occasional glimpses of his potential, they have been too infrequent to outweigh the overall pattern of inconsistency.
If the Cardinals hope to turn things around, they will need to be proactive rather than reactive. That likely means making adjustments to the rotation sooner rather than later. Whether that involves promoting a minor league arm, reshuffling roles within the pitching staff, or exploring creative solutions such as bullpen games, the key is to find a way to stabilize the team’s performance.
There is still time for St. Louis to get back on track, but the margin for error is shrinking. Each loss makes the path to the postseason more difficult, and the upcoming schedule offers little relief. In that context, every decision becomes magnified, including the choice of who takes the mound every fifth day.
For now, it appears that Liberatore is still in line to make his next start. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that his margin for error is extremely small. If he fails to deliver a strong performance, the calls for change will only grow louder, and the Cardinals may have little choice but to act.
In many ways, this situation represents a crossroads for both the pitcher and the team. For Liberatore, it is an opportunity to prove that he can still be a reliable part of the rotation. For the Cardinals, it is a chance to demonstrate that they are willing to make the tough decisions necessary to compete. One way or another, the outcome of his next start—and the decisions that follow—could play a significant role in shaping the direction of their season.
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