Cardinals Urged to Fix Starting Rotation Woes as Playoff Hopes Fade
As the St. Louis Cardinals continue to slide in the postseason race, one major issue has emerged: the starting rotation. The team is particularly struggling with two veteran starters on expiring contracts—Miles Mikolas and Erick Fedde—who have both been stuck in prolonged slumps. If the Cardinals hope to stay in contention with the trade deadline fast approaching, addressing the rotation has become urgent.
Disastrous Weekend Highlights Rotation Flaws
The Cardinals’ pitching problems were exposed in a rough series against the division-leading Chicago Cubs. Mikolas started the series opener and gave up a franchise-worst six home runs in an 11–3 blowout loss. Fedde pitched in the third game and was pulled after just 1.1 innings, giving up four walks and failing to consistently find the strike zone in an 11–0 defeat. Only Matthew Liberatore delivered a win in the series, helping the Cardinals avoid a sweep.
Following the Sunday night loss, manager Oliver Marmol acknowledged changes may be necessary.
“We’ll use (Monday) to take a step back and figure out what that looks like,” Marmol told The Athletic. “(Fedde) has to find a solution to what’s going on… Continuing to go down this road doesn’t seem beneficial at the moment.”
Slumps Stretching Over Weeks
Neither Mikolas nor Fedde has recorded a win since May. In games they’ve started since June, the Cardinals are just 4–9. Fedde owns a 9.30 ERA and 12 walks in his last five starts, while Mikolas has allowed 11 home runs and posted an 8.31 ERA in the same span.
The team is 15–18 overall, but 11–9 when someone other than Mikolas or Fedde starts. Now 1.5 games behind the final Wild Card spot and with the Reds closing in, time is running out to reverse course.
Internal Options Gaining Momentum
One in-house candidate gaining traction is Michael McGreevy. The 2021 first-round pick has made spot starts this season, and although he struggled against top-tier teams like the Cubs and Dodgers, his ERA stands at 4.22—better than both Mikolas and Fedde. In two other appearances, he’s allowed just one run across 10 2/3 innings.
President of baseball operations John Mozeliak hinted McGreevy could soon be called upon again:
“McGreevy is lurking, and we can only hold him down so long.”
The Cardinals are also considering moving Steven Matz from the bullpen back to the rotation. Matz has been one of their most dependable relievers this year and has delivered a 3.45 ERA in limited starts. However, doing so would weaken a bullpen already short on reliable left-handed arms.
Roster Challenges and Deadline Pressure
Complicating matters is the team’s uncertainty at the upcoming trade deadline. While Fedde was initially viewed as a trade asset, his poor performance has diminished that value. Mikolas, who has a no-trade clause and is owed $17.6 million this season, is unlikely to be dealt.
The Cardinals must now decide if they’ll buy or sell at the deadline, and that decision likely hinges on how the team performs in the coming weeks. If they commit to being buyers, adding a reliable starter may become their top priority.
Injuries to key hitters like Ivan Herrera, Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, and Jordan Walker have hurt the offense—but the most pressing concern remains a starting rotation that’s holding back a team teetering on the edge of playoff relevance.
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