Photo Credit/JM Kerska
The St. Louis Cardinals’ pitching staff, a subject of much preseason scrutiny, has performed way above expectations. Both the starting rotation and the bullpen have been dominant in the month of May.
While not without its challenges, the month offered promising signs for a staff looking to solidify its identity.
The starting rotation, a key area of focus, largely exceeded expectations in May. Anchored by veteran Sonny Gray and emerging talent Matthew Liberatore, the starters have repeatedly provided the Cardinals with quality innings and kept the team in games.
Cardinals’ Starters Excel in May
The Cardinals’ ace Gray has continued to be a steadying force, consistently delivering solid performances. Additionally, Liberatore appears to be taking a significant step forward in 2025, with multiple strong outings in May that lowered his season ERA and pointed to his potential as a reliable mid-rotation arm. Since the last week of April, the Cardinals’ rotation has had one of the best ERAs in baseball, a testament to their collective effort.
Notably, Erick Fedde had a standout month, including a complete game shutout against the Washington Nationals on May 9th, a rare feat in today’s game. In the month of May Fedde put up a 2-1 record with a 3.03 ERA. A performance that provided a significant boost. Also, Miles Mikolas found a strong rhythm in May. He rattled off multiple wins and posted a competitive 3.08 ERA for the month. Andre Pallante rounded out the rotation, contributing to a unit that, since early May, maintained an impressive collective ERA in the low 3.00s.
Cardinals’ Bullpen Shines
The bullpen, a source of inconsistency at times, has also shown marked improvement in May. The relief corps, which had an ERA of 2.90 for the month, became a more reliable unit. Furthermore, Ryan Helsley solidified his role as a dominant closer, providing stability at the back end of games.
Beyond Helsley, the emergence of Kyle Leahy was a significant development. Leahy provided high-quality innings and has become a dependable arm. Also, the strategic use of Steven Matz in a “swingman” role has also paid dividends. The lefty offers flexibility out of the bullpen as a spot starter or long relief. This bolstered bullpen depth was crucial in securing wins and taking pressure off the starting staff.
Encouraging Start for Pitching Staff
Overall, May painted an encouraging picture for the Cardinals’ pitching. The starters consistently pitched deeper into games and limited damage, while the bullpen demonstrated an ability to protect leads and keep the team competitive. While the league average for bullpen ERA in 2025 hovered higher, the Cardinals’ relievers significantly outperformed that mark in May.
Challenges undoubtedly remain, and consistency will be the key moving forward. However, the performance of the Cardinals’ pitching staff in May provided a strong foundation to build upon and offered fans a renewed sense of optimism. The blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent suggests that the Cardinals’ arms could be a surprising strength as the summer progresses.
