Bernie’s Bird Bytes: A Quick, Pregame Read On The State Of The Cardinals’ Starting Pitching.

BIRD BYTES

Quick Pregame Read!

Bernie Bits style!

1. Going into Tuesday’s game with the Padres, the Cardinals have a 22-26 record since the start of July. And though the St. Louis offense usually gets most of the blame for lack of success, we shouldn’t overlook the bruising decline of the starting pitching.

2. Since July 1, the Cardinals rank 26th among the 30 major-league teams with a 5.10 ERA. Over the first three months they were more respectable, ranking 17th overall with a 4.18 ERA. The rotation wasn’t dominant or elite, but after last season’s rotation collapse and chaos, stability was vital. And for three months the Cardinal starters were dependable – at least by the modern standards.

3. Here’s the sorriest thing about this development: the three free-agent starters signed by John Mozeliak last offseason – Sonny Gray, Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn – have collectively pitched to a 5.94 ERA in 23 starts since the beginning of July.

4. Here’s a specific breakdown of the disappointing performances …

• Gray: 5.83 ERA in 9 starts
• Gibson: 5.94 ERA in 10 starts
• Lynn: 6.27 ERA in 4 starts

In addition to the swollen earned-run averages, Lynn had to go to the IL to calm an inflamed right knee. The other problem with the older-dude trio is the vulnerability in preventing home runs.

5. Over the last two months threesome has been pierced for 27 home runs and a rate of nearly two home runs (1.93) yielded per nine innings. Thirteen of the 27 deep shots were launched against the disappointing Gray.

6. If we add the labors of another oldie to the group, the situation is still bleak. Of course, I’m referring to Miles Mikolas, who has a 4.93 ERA in nine starts since the outset of July. And Mikolas has been popped for seven homers in 49 and ⅓ innings.

7. Gray, Gibson, Lynn and Mikolas have been exploited for 110 earned runs in 175 innings and 32 starts since July 1. That’s a collective 5.65 ERA. Woof.

8. Cards fans: These were your top four starters going into the season. The gang has not held up very well.

9. The only thumbs-up attaboy goes to Andre Pallante and his 3.33 ERA in eight starts during the same stretch that had the elder starters gasping. (Metaphorically speaking of course.) Newcomer Erick Fedde has been OK since being traded to the Cardinals. But the 4.23 ERA is a little misleading, and Fedde has been smacked for five homers in 27 and ⅔ innings.

10. In the 32 starts made by Gray, Gibson, Lynn and Mikolas since the start of July, the Cardinals have a 16-16 record. That surprised me considering their rampant ERA inflation and jacked-up home run total against them. Ah, but I took a closer look, and now I know why the record is .500 in their starts instead of being much worse than that. In STL’s 16 wins in starts by the quartet, the Cardinals averaged 6.3 runs scored per game. Run support is fantastic when you can get it.

One other note: based on their minus 59 run differential, the Cardinals should have had a record of 59-72 through Monday. Through 131 games last season, the Cards had an actual record of 56-75. The 2024 Cardinals won’t finish with the 71-91 record turned in by the 2023 Cardinals, but these are similar teams.

That is all.

Thank you for reading …

–Bernie