The St. Louis Cardinals have gotten off to a solid 13-9 start this season, but their starting pitching remains a concern. Through 22 games, the rotation ranks near the bottom of the league, sitting 23rd in ERA. As a group, Cardinals starters have combined for a 4.47 ERA across 112 2/3 innings, a number that highlights inconsistency beyond a couple of reliable arms.
Two pitchers who have held things together are Michael McGreevy and Matthew Liberatore. McGreevy has posted a strong 3.29 ERA and is tied for the league lead with five starts. Liberatore has been nearly as effective, recording a 3.67 ERA while also making five starts. Meanwhile, Andre Pallante has shown some improvement compared to last season, compiling a 4.05 ERA over four outings.
However, the issues begin further down the rotation. Kyle Leahy has struggled to find consistency, registering a 5.21 ERA in four starts over 19 innings. His outings have been steady but not effective, as he has allowed at least two runs in every appearance, including games where he gave up four, three, and multiple two-run efforts. Dustin May has faced even more difficulty overall, carrying a 6.98 ERA in four starts, though he has shown signs of improvement by allowing just two earned runs over his last 12 innings.
If the Cardinals decide to make a change in the rotation, Leahy appears to be the most likely candidate. Unlike May, who signed a contract with the team this past offseason, Leahy remains under team control through 2030 and does not carry the same financial commitment. That flexibility gives the organization options, including moving him to the bullpen or sending him to Triple-A to continue developing as a starter before potentially revisiting his role later.
Should the team choose to replace Leahy in the rotation, there are a few viable alternatives.
One option is Hunter Dobbins, who is currently working his way back on a minor league rehab assignment. In four starts, he has posted a respectable 3.86 ERA across 18 2/3 innings, suggesting he is nearing readiness to return to the major league roster. Once fully healthy, Dobbins could be a logical and immediate addition to the starting rotation.
Another possibility is Lucas Giolito, a veteran who delivered a strong 2025 campaign with the Boston Red Sox. Giolito made 26 starts last season, finishing with a 3.41 ERA over 145 innings. If the Cardinals explore the trade market, he could be an appealing option thanks to his experience and reliability.
Lastly, top prospect Quinn Mathews presents an intriguing internal choice. Ranked as the Cardinals’ No. 7 prospect, Mathews has significant upside despite limited Triple-A experience. His current 5.56 ERA in three starts is somewhat misleading, as one rough outing inflated the number, while his other appearances were scoreless. Given his talent, it seems likely he will receive an opportunity at the major league level at some point.
As the season progresses, the Cardinals may need to address their rotation struggles if they hope to remain competitive. Whether through internal adjustments or external additions, finding stability behind their top starters will be key to sustaining their early success.
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