{"id":75867,"date":"2024-06-05T14:39:04","date_gmt":"2024-06-05T18:39:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=75867"},"modified":"2024-06-05T14:39:04","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T18:39:04","slug":"cardinals-starting-rotation-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/06\/05\/cardinals-starting-rotation-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Possible Solutions for the Cardinals Back End of Rotation Problem"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s early June, but the St. Louis Cardinals have stormed back into the postseason hunt. For that to continue, they need to solve the end of their rotation. The Cardinals entered spring training with five clear starting pitchers — Sonny Gray<\/a>, Miles Mikolas<\/a>, Lance Lynn<\/a>, Kyle Gibson<\/a>, and Steven Matz<\/a>. Three of those pitchers they acquired in free agency. Gray ended up starting the season<\/a> on the injured list, shortly after he came back Matz got hurt. Questions surrounding the fifth starter role are ongoing. As they continue to push through the National League Central standings, the biggest question has moved from the once-struggling offense to the starting rotation.<\/p>\n

The Cardinals Need a Fifth Starter for Their Rotation<\/h2>\n

Andre Pallante<\/a> has been the latest solution to the Cardinals fifth-starter woes. The left-hander has a 6.16 ERA in 2024. He’s more so been in the bullpen, but he has started his last two games. The first start in late May was great, going for six innings with no earned runs and just three hits against the Cincinnati Reds. On Tuesday he gave up three runs in a loss to the Houston Astros.<\/p>\n

Pallante was a lifeline to the Cardinals bullpen in 2022. He put up a 3.17 ERA across 108 innings out of the bullpen with 73 strikeouts. In 2023 he backslid some with a 4.76 ERA in 68 innings pitched with 43 strikeouts. He’ll likely get another start or two to prove himself to manager Oliver Marmol<\/a>. He would be the only left-hander if he stays in the rotation.<\/p>\n

\n

Andre Pallante tells @TheCatOnBallyTV<\/a> about the impact of a conversation with Oli Marmol before his recent option and return as a starter: “The whole conversation was about how can I improve as a pitcher. … That’s everything you can ask for from an organization.” #STLCards<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/X3JY5ZaWN8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) May 31, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n