It’s been a dreadful start to the season for St. Louis Cardinals pitchers. This season, the Redbird pitching staff has not been up to par in St. Louis. It’s a significant reason the Cardinals are off to a sluggish 9-14 start to the season.
St. Louis has allowed 110 runs this year so far. Right now, only four teams have allowed more runs. So they’re off to a horrible start. Buster Olney of ESPN put that into perspective.
“The Cardinals’ current ERA is 4.48. Whatever the problem is, a St. Louis ERA that high is unusual — they haven’t had staff numbers that inflated over a full season since 2007 (4.65) and 2006 (4.54).
The Cardinals' current ERA is 4.48. Whatever the problem is, a St. Louis ERA that high is unusual — they haven't had staff numbers that inflated over a full season since 2007 (4.65) and 2006 (4.54).
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) April 25, 2023
St. Louis has desperately needed starting pitching improvements over the past few seasons. But the team has been mum on trying to improve the rotation. They certainly benefitted from Jack Flaherty in 2019, but the team hasn’t returned to form since then. Starting pitching, or a lack thereof, has been a big reason why.
The MLB world reacted to the news. Many placed the blame for the Cardinals’ pitching woes on one man: free-agent acquisition Willson Contreras.
Here’s your problem https://t.co/2ciw8vEzJM pic.twitter.com/MlgbNHVK5D
— Alec (@alec_paschos) April 25, 2023
gonna place the blame on that no-good rat Willlllllllson Contreras https://t.co/8qHnOhpldl
— TAPE (@tapemachines) April 25, 2023
“Willson Contreras out there making Yadi’s HOF case stronger,” one fan said.
Willson Contreras out there making Yadi's HOF case stronger. https://t.co/YjXBFPU7ut
— Brad (@ballskwok) April 25, 2023
Gee, I wonder what's changed. 🤔 https://t.co/accYFCAjxo
— Staci Heaton (@StaciHeaton) April 25, 2023
https://t.co/eqo9yuFjmY pic.twitter.com/9ENbYWPInL
— 丂乇卂几 (@CubsMakeMeSad) April 25, 2023
I wonder if a certain catcher in St. Louis who has a difficulty calling games has something to do with this 👀 https://t.co/2bIsyaWMOq
— Mike (@Mike__Dhcf) April 25, 2023
And the real kicker? As Owen, a Cub fan pointed out, the Cubs are in the Top 5 in Rotation ERA this year…without Contreras.
And here’s the Top 5 Teams for Rotation ERA. Cubs are right there. How bout that. https://t.co/kLf5GGl3VY pic.twitter.com/3ka2cgvFvg
— 𝙊𝙬𝙚𝙣 (@Birddoge_) April 25, 2023
