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New York Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
After MLB-best May, can Cardinals' depth keep them winning in June?
We've passed the one-third mark of the season, and we still aren't sure what the ceiling is for the St. Louis Cardinals. What we do know: The team's floor seems much higher than originally projected. After a frustrating April in which the Cardinals went 11-16, St. Louis powered through May with a 19-8 record, the MLB's best mark of the month. The Cardinals hit .258 and their pitching staff had a 3.40 ERA, with both numbers ranking seventh in the majors. The Cardinals (33-26) enter play Tuesday seven games over. 500 with a +30 run differential and four games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. April showers, May flowers indeed. 10 strikeouts today makes 1800 CAREER STRIKEOUTS for Sonny Gray! 🔥 — St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 31, 2025 But with a new month comes new challenges. St. Louis has just one remaining off day this month, which sets them up to play 28 games in 29 days. What makes that stretch concerning is factoring in how much the Cardinals benefited from their schedule in May. The team had a scheduled off day on four consecutive Thursdays, making it easy for manager Oli Marmol to give his starters ample rest. This month, he'll have to be creative. Advertisement 'We were able to run our (starting) lineup out there almost every day,' Marmol said. 'We mixed and matched a little bit to give guys days off leading into a scheduled day off, that kind of thing. But for the most part, we had our lineup out there. In June, we're going to have to give guys more of a blow and use our bench differently than we did in May.' There are several ways to look at this. The lack of off days presents Marmol with an ability to use a rotation of position players, which would allow someone like Nolan Gorman to play more. There are staples in the lineup: Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, Masyn Winn, Pedro Pagés, Victor Scott II and Lars Nootbaar will still start most games at their designated positions. But the defensive flexibility of Brendan Donovan will allow Gorman to see additional starts at second base when one of the above players needs a rest day. Alec Burleson (first base, outfield) and Iván Herrera (catcher, designated hitter) being able to play multiple positions also helps with the rotation. The Cardinals will be without Jordan Walker (10-day injured list, left wrist inflammation) for at least a week, but they are optimistic he won't miss much time. He'll be eligible to come off the injured list over the weekend. When he returns, Marmol is confident he'll still be able to find consistent playing time for Gorman. Gorman had been the odd man out for most of May, but the Cardinals want to find ways to work his bat in more regularly. In 91 at-bats this season, Gorman is hitting a dismal .187/.280/.297 with just one homer and nine RBIs. But Marmol and hitting coach Brant Brown are encouraged by Gorman's underlying metrics, namely his strikeout rate, which has dropped from 37.6 percent in 2024 to 27.1 percent this year. 'What's tough for Gorman is when you look under the hood, he's making more contact, he's chasing less, he's walking more,' Marmol said. 'Yes, the bat speed is down, but that's at the expense of making contact. He needs a run of games to show that it's coming into play.' Advertisement When it comes to starting pitching, Marmol and pitching coach Dusty Blake have been intentional with their rotation scheduling for a reason. With limited depth in Triple A, the Cardinals needed to keep their starters on a six-day schedule for as long as possible. They did that easily in May because of the scheduling. That scheduling also allowed Steven Matz, who served in the hybrid role between the rotation and bullpen in April, to take over as a more traditional reliever in May. Moving Matz to the bullpen full-time was instrumental in the Cardinals' success in May. Before their series loss to the Texas Rangers over the weekend, Cardinals relievers posted a 2.90 ERA in the month. Matz registered a 3.00 ERA in six relief appearances and held hitters to a .235 average and .559 OPS. While the Cardinals might consider moving Matz back to his hybrid role, that would leave them scrambling for coverage in the bullpen. It would also leave them short on innings in the rotation on days he starts, as he's no longer built up. 'All of that comes into play,' Marmol said when asked about Matz and the upcoming pitching plans. 'You are taxing your bullpen by giving your rotation a break, depending on how you do it.' One option that could be on the table for St. Louis is using Michael McGreevy as a spot starter in June. McGreevy is 6-1 in 10 games for Triple-A Memphis this season with a 3.02 ERA and 54 strikeouts over 50 2/3 innings. He's scheduled to take his next start on Tuesday at AutoZone Park, but could be a candidate for a call-up after that. McGreevy has thrived in the spot start role before, and the Cardinals would not be risking his long-term development if they use him as a sixth starter, even temporarily. That would also allow them to keep Matz in the bullpen, where there would be less risk of the team being unable to cover innings. Advertisement This is what Marmol and his staff will be balancing as St. Louis rolls into the new month. The Cardinals have been one of baseball's more surprising teams. Despite a grueling schedule, they'll hope to keep building off May's success and avoid a June swoon. 'Everyone has those stretches,' Marmol said. 'You prepare for it and put your head down and get through it, so that's what we'll do.' (Photo of Nolan Arenado: Ron Jenkins / Getty Images)
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Red Sox Aroldis Chapman Linked to Cubs After Latest Trade Rumors
Red Sox Aroldis Chapman Linked to Cubs After Latest Trade Rumors originally appeared on Athlon Sports. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Boston Red Sox could field calls on left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman at the deadline. Advertisement Per Nightengale, teams are keeping an eye on the Red Sox reliever if they fall out of the American League East race prior to the end of July. 'Scouts already are keeping an eye on Boston Red Sox reliever Aroldis Chapman, who will be a hot commodity at the trade deadline if the Red Sox fall out of the AL East race,' he wrote. After that report, Newsweek Drew Vonscio linked the Red Sox veteran to the Chicago Cubs, adding that Chicago needs plenty of bullpen help, and a reunion with the former star could make sense. 'Chapman reuniting with the Cubs makes a lot of sense for both teams... Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) looks on during the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images 'If Chapman played for a true contender, he would have more saves this season than eight. The Cubs' bullpen could certainly use another back-end member as closer Drew Pomeranz, Daniel Parencia and Brad Keller have been good this year,' he wrote. Advertisement Jed Hoyer and the rest of the Cubs' front office have admitted that they're looking for help in the bullpen at the deadline. If the Cubs continue to play the way they have to start the year, there isn't much of a reason for them not to be interested in adding a high-leverage arm like Chapman. They sit at 37-22 and are already four games in front in the National League Central, going 8-2 over their last 10. Throughout the 2025 campaign, Chapman has continued to throw the baseball at an elite level, posting a 1.88 ERA and striking out 32 hitters in 24.0 innings. Related: Craig Breslow Breaks Silence on Disappointing State of Red Sox This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cubs-Rays Trade Idea Sends Starting Pitcher Zach Littell to Chicago
Cubs-Rays Trade Idea Sends Starting Pitcher Zach Littell to Chicago originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Cubs' offense has been the primary catalyst for their first-place standing in the National League Central. Advertisement The potent lineup, consisting of MVP-caliber players like Kyle Tucker and breakout star Pete Crow-Armstrong, is one significant reason the Cubs have continued to win games despite the absence of starting pitchers Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Javier Assad. Imanaga threw a bullpen on Saturday and might face live hitters soon, per Andy Martinez of the Marquee Sports Network. Even with Imanaga's eventual return, the Cubs may look to upgrade the back-end of their rotation with a trade. Clutchpoints' Zachary Howell believes the Tampa Bay Rays veteran starter Zach Littell could be a good add for Chicago. Advertisement "The Cubs will be without Justin Steele for the rest of the season. Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd have played well in his absence," wrote Howell. "However, the back end of Craig Counsell's rotation is questionable. Littell is a younger pitcher who can come in and provide the complimentary pitching necessary to boost their staff." Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zach Littell (52) throws a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning at George M. Steinbrenner Nelson-Imagn Images Littell, 29, is a free agent at season's end and is in his eighth Major League Baseball season, and third with the Rays. The right-hander leads MLB with 16 home runs allowed in 74.2 innings this season, but has his ERA at a respectable 3.86 despite that. The Rays are 8-2 in their last 10 games and only 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East on June 1, but a pitcher like Littell may be someone they can afford to lose, for the right price. Advertisement "While the Rays' direction is a bit unclear, Chicago has some young talent that could entice Tampa Bay," wrote Howell. "Letting go of Littell would be a tough pill to swallow. Getting a player like Miguel Amaya or Vidal Brujan back would lighten the blow significantly." If the Cubs were to deal Amaya, one of their catchers, they could promote prospect Moises Ballesteros for the remainder of the season, but whether they would consider a move that drastic for Littell is a question mark. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cubs Linked to Reunion With Aroldis Chapman After Latest Development
Cubs Linked to Reunion With Aroldis Chapman After Latest Development originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Reports of the Boston Red Sox selling at the deadline have started to happen, with Bob Nightengale of USA Today reporting on Sunday that the team could move on from Aroldis Chapman if it isn't in a position to compete for the American League East. Advertisement 'Scouts already are keeping an eye on Boston Red Sox reliever Aroldis Chapman, who will be a hot commodity at the trade deadline if the Red Sox fall out of the AL East race,' he wrote. As currently constructed, the Red Sox aren't a good enough team to win the division. It's a very unfortunate situation for a ball club that had an opportunity to win the AL East entering the year, but at 29-32 and already eight games behind the first-place New York Yankees, it's tough to see them turning this thing around to that level. Sure, it's the beginning of June, and the Red Sox are talented, but they need to get a move on if they don't want to sell at the deadline. Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) watches players warm up during spring training Scuteri-Imagn Images Searching for a potential landing spot for the left-hander if they decide to move on from him, Drew Vonscio of Newsweek noted that the Chicago Cubs could be in play, adding that a reunion with the flamethrower might make sense given where their bullpen stands. Advertisement 'Chapman reuniting with the Cubs makes a lot of sense for both teams... 'If Chapman played for a true contender, he would have more saves this season than eight. The Cubs' bullpen could certainly use another back-end member as closer Drew Pomeranz, Daniel Parencia and Brad Keller have been good this year,' he wrote. The Cubs look to be a contending team right now, sitting in first place in the National League Central. If they added a bullpen arm like Chapman, given he has familiarity with the city, it might be all they need to get over the top. Related: Cubs' Kyle Tucker Gets Major Injury Update This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong Predicted to Earn Nine-Figure Extension
Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong Predicted to Earn Nine-Figure Extension originally appeared on Athlon Sports. For all of the Kyle Tucker contract talk, there is another, emerging outfielder worthy of a big payday from the Chicago Cubs. Advertisement Pete Crow-Armstrong's breakout season has helped catapult the Cubs atop the National League Central and justified their win-now mode mentality. However, Crow-Armstrong, looking like the next big thing in Chicago, comes at an expensive price. Here is what Patrick Mooney of The Athletic told 'Foul Territory' about a Crow-Armstrong extension: 'Clearly, it's a nine-figure commitment.' After reportedly refusing a $75 million offer earlier this spring, Crow-Armstrong has propelled himself into previously unforeseen territory. He is under team control until 2030, and the Cubs do not necessarily need to rush into any long-term commitment just yet. Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning at Wrigley Banks-Imagn Images But, should this meteoric trajectory continue, Chicago should do everything in its power to secure Crow-Armstrong before he is too pricey. Advertisement The Cubs currently have only two players making more than $20 million annually (Dansby Swanson, $28 million, and Ian Happ, $21 million). Crow-Armstrong is more than worthy of joining that group. The 23-year-old is batting .275 with a .866 OPS, a 142 OPS+, 15 home runs, and 16 stolen bases on 19 attempts through 56 games. He also leads the National League in WAR (3.0) and has further established himself as a premier defensive center fielder. Perhaps this is too small a sample size for Chicago's liking, and it would be wise to see if Crow-Armstrong can maintain this pace over 162 games. But his metrics are impressive, and aside from a poor 9:58 BB:K ratio, there is no reason he can not earn hundreds of millions on his next deal. Even if the Cubs do not retain Tucker, they have a budding superstar to fall back on. Advertisement Related: Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong Breaks Silence on Unfortunate Timeline for Contract Extension Related: Cubs Called Trade Fit for 98-HR Slugger at Position of Uncertainty This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
