“Cardinals’ Relievers Drawing Attention as Trade Deadline Approaches”
With the trade deadline looming just days away, the Cardinals have several relievers who are garnering interest from other teams. Steven Matz, Phil Maton, JoJo Romero, and Ryan Helsley all played crucial roles in shutting down the Padres in a recent game at Busch Stadium.
The Cardinals have been struggling this season, but their bullpen has been a bright spot. As the deadline approaches, it’s no surprise that other teams are eyeing their talented relievers. With the potential for a playoff push, the Cardinals may be willing to part with some of their bullpen depth in exchange for key pieces to improve their roster.
One of the most sought-after relievers is Steven Matz, who has been a consistent force on the mound for the Cardinals. His impressive stats and ability to shut down opposing teams have caught the attention of several teams in need of bullpen help.
Phil Maton, JoJo Romero, and Ryan Helsley have also been key contributors to the Cardinals’ bullpen success. Their recent performance against the Padres, where they combined for four scoreless innings, only adds to their value as potential trade targets.
As the trade deadline approaches, it will be interesting to see which teams make a move for these talented relievers. The Cardinals may have some tough decisions to make, but ultimately, their goal is to improve their team and make a push for the playoffs.
Cardinals Shut Out Padres 3-0, Relievers Impress Ahead of Trade Deadline
ST. LOUIS – In a game that showcased the talent of several potential trade candidates, the St. Louis Cardinals shut out the San Diego Padres 3-0 on Friday night at Busch Stadium.
Masyn Winn drove in two runs with a key double, while Willson Contreras had two hits and scored twice to lead the Cardinals to victory. The win was a team effort, with four relievers stepping up to shut down the Padres in the final four innings.
With the trade deadline looming, the Cardinals’ bullpen showed why they are in high demand. Steven Matz, Phil Maton, JoJo Romero, and Ryan Helsley all took turns keeping the Padres from scoring, completing a shutout for the team.
Matz, Maton, and Helsley are all set to become free agents at the end of the season, while Romero has one year of control left. However, with his impressive performance on Friday, he may also be a potential trade candidate as he heads towards a big pay raise in arbitration.
The Cardinals’ pitching staff was able to hold off the Padres, despite being outhit 11-5. The Padres struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and leaving nine runners on base.
According to the Baseball Reference website, this was the first time the Cardinals have allowed 11 hits but still recorded a shutout since 1943 in a 10-inning game. The last time it happened in a nine-inning game was in 1931.
Game Breakdown
At the Plate: The Cardinals’ three runs came from just one hit. In the second inning, Contreras was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on an error before scoring on a groundout by Yohel Pozo. In the fourth, Contreras and Nolan Arenado drew walks before Winn’s two-run double. Contreras also had a double in the sixth and a single in the eighth, reaching base in all four of his plate appearances. However, the Cardinals struggled with runners in scoring position, only getting one hit in nine at-bats.
On the Mound: Miles Mikolas started the game for the Cardinals, allowing six hits but keeping the Padres from scoring through the first five innings. He also got out of a jam in the third inning, stranding runners on second and third. Romero continued his impressive streak, allowing only one earned run in his last 29 appearances. Helsley earned his second consecutive save, pitching around a two-out single in the ninth.
Key Stat: Despite the struggles of the starting pitchers since the All-Star break, the Cardinals’ bullpen has been effective, allowing only four earned runs in 30 innings for a 1.20 ERA in the eight games since the break.
Worth Noting: Contreras was hit by a pitch for the 15th time this season, the most in the NL. He also took over the league lead in doubles with his 28th of the season, a career high. ESPN announced that the game was the most-watched Friday night game since 2019, with an average of 1.3 million viewers.
