Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - DISASTER: St. Louis Cardinals Bullpen IMPLODES as Ryne Stanek & Matt Svanson Surrender Lead

Starting point is 00:00:00 The St. Louis Cardinals have a major bullpen issue, and it costs them yet again in Monday's game against the Nationals. This is Locked on Cardinals. You are Locked on Cardinals. Your daily St. Louis Cardinals podcast, part of the Lopped on podcast network, your team every day. Hey there, Cardals fans. I'm J.D. Haffern and today's episode brought to you by Fandall. Right now, new customers can bet just $5 and get $250 in bonus bets. If your first bet wins, head to Pandell. to get started. On today's show, we've got the completion to the sunny gray to Boston trade to update you with.

Starting point is 00:00:42 We also had another trade with Nick Rakeh going to the Baltimore Orioles. We've got the three stars from the game on Monday against Washington because, believe it or not, there was a lot of good things that happened on Monday. And sadly, that's not where we start for today's show because we got to start with the meltdown, the complete meltdown by members of the Cardinals bullpen that turned what felt like another wonderful comeback story and victory and turned it into what will probably be one of the most shocking losses of the season. We'll have to circle back at the end of it all to know for sure, but holy cow, talk about going from your highest of highs to the lowest of lows in an instant, man. The Cardinals' offense fought back again on Monday night.

Starting point is 00:01:34 got a really good, like group of contributions from multiple people. Like a lot of different things happened for the Cardinals to get to the point where they were actually winning in this game in the eighth inning. Mason Wynn was back in the lineup. Jordan Walker, Ramone Urius, Thomas and J.C., Victor Scott, all of them contributed it in some way, shape, or form to help get the Cardinals that lead in the top of the eighth inning and then it all got erased. Then it all went away, got wiped out when two of the most disappointing relievers on this roster were once again on the mound and got blasted into the

Starting point is 00:02:13 shadow realm by the Washington Nationals vats. First guy, Ryan Stanick. All right, Ryan seems like a good dude, right? You know, St. Louis guy throws really hard, but he's had a negative war in both 2024 and 2025. He hasn't been good. So when the Cardinals did sign him, it's not like we were like, ooh, we got ourselves a stud. No. You know, he was a guy that you're like, well, maybe there's a couple of tweaks we can make and maybe we can get him back on track because he used to be pretty good earlier in his career. Last couple years, though, have not been good. He looked decent enough in the spring. And so far, he's been a breeding ground for base runners. The infestation of base runners every time he comes in. He's made six appearances this year, and in all six of

Starting point is 00:03:06 them, somebody has gotten on base. He has yet to throw a clean inning since the season started. And Monday night was easily his worst outing. Lead off guy smokes one at Jordan Walker and right for the first out, but then weak single to left, that happens, followed by a single to center. And just like that, after taking the lead six to three and having this wonderful inning in the top half, the tag run comes to the plate in the form of the Nats most dangerous center James Wood. Having already burned both Justin Brule and Jojo Romero was up to Stanick to get

Starting point is 00:03:43 this guy. That's what he's getting paid to do. Well, he didn't. Instead, he throws a fastball right into Woods Wheelhouse, and he hits it 114.3 miles per hour. Travels 409 feet for the game tying three run home run. You can just hear the, you know, Cardinal Nation all at once, like, ugh. So Ali Yanks him. It's a Thai ball game at this point. So Ali Yanks him. And you're like, all right, tie game. This team likes to fight back. All right, we'll be all right. Right? You know, it sucks that that happened, but let's get out of the city and get back to the plate. He goes to Matt Sonson, a guy who was superb last year, so good last year. One of their best and most dependable arms in the bullpen.

Starting point is 00:04:33 This year has been completely different. This year, he has gotten knocked around like a pinata. And nothing changed on Monday like gasoline on a football. fire. He immediately gives up a double, then a home run to Brady House. It's eight to six Nats, gives up another home run to C.J. Abrams on a cutter right in his wheelhouse. And it's nine to six. And you're like, what in the hell just happened? We were six outs away from winning this thing, up three runs. And now we're going to the ninth and we've only got three outs to play with. And we're down three runs. Stanik and Sponson faced a combined nine hitters, six of them, hits three of them left the yard six runs scored heck victor had to make an outstanding diving catch

Starting point is 00:05:19 to get the the third out or they might still be hitting off these two the cardals have three guys currently in their bullpen that have an era of six or more four of them if you count the remains of chris roycroft who's uh who's been sent packing back to memphis those three guys are stanick Svanson and Brule. You saw all three of them in this game. Five and two-thirds inning, Stanick has allowed five runs on seven hits and walked five. He does have eight strikeouts,

Starting point is 00:05:49 which has gotten him out of some trouble or things would be worse. His ERA is at 6.35. Opponents are hitting 304 against him, and his whip is at 2.12. That's terrible. But, oh, wait, it gets worse. Sponson, poor Sponson. has now pitched six innings, has allowed 10 runs on 12 hits, three home runs. He's walked four.

Starting point is 00:06:15 He's got five Ks. The ERA is now at 15. Opponents are hitting 414 against him. The width is hit 2.67. So you look at his numbers and then you look at Stags, you're like, maybe Stacks not so bad. No, they're both bad. Justin Brul, six innings pitch, four runs, five hits. six walks. Just three strikeouts. His ERA is at six. And Roycroft, just because we got to throw it in there because when you put the, you know, the grouping together, you got to talk about all of it.

Starting point is 00:06:53 Roycroft had thrown three and two thirds innings, a lot of five runs on eight hits. He'd walked five, had an ERA of 12.27. Opponents were hitting 421 against him. His whip was at 3.55. I don't think I've ever seen a whip that high. that's crazy. These are some of the worst numbers I've ever seen from a group of relievers on one team. And if not for Jojo Romero, Riley O'Brien, Gordon Grecepho,

Starting point is 00:07:23 even Soriano, who had a bad outing on Sunday, but he hadn't been that bad. Those numbers would easily be the worst numbers in the league. Currently, the pet has the sixth worst DRA and six-fifth, 6.15. They've given up the six-most runs, fifth-most hits against. second most walks, which, you know, drives all of us nuts. Why he put so many people on base? They got the second worst whip, second worst batting average against. I mean, it's terrible.

Starting point is 00:07:52 It's like Stannock took Helsley's spot as far as letting runners on all the time. Remember we had that problem with Ryan Helsley? Like you're like, dude, you've got this amazing slider and you throw so hard, but people are always on base against you. What gives? and that's kind of what Stanick does now. Same kind of stuff, same kind of profile. Sonson has taken Ryan Fernandez's spot as a guy who was really good

Starting point is 00:08:19 and for whatever reason is this massive disappointment in his second year. And then Brul is your new John King. Roycroft is just Roycroft. He's just playing himself in this movie. But it's bad out there for the pen. And when you look at the 40 man, because people are like DFA this guy, get rid of this guy, send him down, do this. You go look at the 40, man, and there's not a whole lot of options to bring up to replace them if that's what your plan is.

Starting point is 00:08:47 Ryan Fernandez, yeah, you got to go back to him, has yet to allow running four appearances at Memphis. So, you know, he's at least producing at Memphis. So you can try him again and send Sonson down to figure out what the hell's going on with him. Richard Fitz and Hunter Dobbins will be ready at some point, but these are starters. Are you pushing Leahy and Pullson? Blante back to the pen. I feel like that's a panic move. You don't want to do that. Who you bring it up? Skyler Hales, Luis Gastilum, Gerson Moreno, Scott Blewett. They'd all be needed to have to be added to the 40 man, which means some uncomfortable roster decisions would need to be

Starting point is 00:09:28 made. So probably not doing that. They got to figure out what's up with these guys. These are their guys right now. And the worst thing you can do is like freak out and start blowing things up in the first week of April. Like that's not what you do in the game of Major League Baseball. And I know it's tough to watch. I get it. I understand it. But you got to understand that they're going to have to figure out how to get these guys on track. Maybe Sponson gets sent down. Stan ain't going anywhere. All right. He's got to figure out how to not throw 99. right over the heart of the plate to people. That's really his problem.

Starting point is 00:10:07 How do you get them to chase your breaking stuff, your sliders and stuff instead of keying in on that fastball, which is what they're doing? So got to figure it out, and that's why you have a coaching staff. So we'll see what they can do. And it sucks, too, because you hate to waste a really good offense of night from the team

Starting point is 00:10:25 like you had on Monday. And a decent start from Andre Palante. Again, one of the things that would help this bullpen is that if starters could go, a little extra and aren't coming out after just five innings every time. But it's early on in the season. So pitch counts and whatnot. But yeah, it was just a tough one.

Starting point is 00:10:44 That's a tough one on Monday night. We got your three stars coming up next. We're going to talk a lot about the offense that we saw from Monday night's loss. That's coming up next on Lockdown Cardinals. The NBA playoffs are here where every possession matters. Every matchup is magnified. And every game can swing a series. And right now, Fandall is giving new customers a great.

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Starting point is 00:12:02 That's kind of my pick for what's going on. on in the NBA right now. Victor Wimbunyava is just a freak. He's amazing. So I'm going to enjoy watching that. So that's who I'm rolling with here, the playoffs. You guys make your own choices. Head to fando.com to get started. Fandall play your game. Thanks for making a lockdown cardinals for first list of the day. Thank you for making locked on the number one sports podcast network baseball finally back and to celebrate. We're giving you a full month of the everyday or club for free. You're going to go to locked on STL Cardinals. Dot supercast.com and use the code finally.

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Starting point is 00:12:58 outside of the bottom of the eighth inning. Top of the eighth inning was wonderful. First start of the game goes to Ramon Arias, who I have no photo of in a Cardinals uniform. For whatever reason, I haven't been able to find one that we're allowed to use. So I don't have one. So I apologize for those of you on video. But Ramon Arias, who was starting at third.

Starting point is 00:13:19 Gorman was in the D.H spot on Monday, went three for four on the night. Two run shot that gave the Cardinals a brief three to two lead. He also had an RBI double in the top of the eighth inning when the Cardinals took what we thought was a commanding six to three lead, has only had 16 to bat. so far this year, but he's made the most of them, hitting two home runs, he's drove in four, he has scored three times, hit 313 now with an OPS of 1.166. Former goal Glover, we know he's a solid infielder.

Starting point is 00:13:49 This is clearly the best game he's had so far in a Cardinals uniform. And when they have to face lefties, he's going to be in there. He's also going to be a guy that helps get people off their feet, whether it's Gorman, whether it's Weatherhole, Mason Wend, maybe at some point, you know, there's going to be moments where Ramon is the guy. And it's good to see him already paying dividends as a free agent signing. So well done to Ramon Urius.

Starting point is 00:14:16 Number two star. We're going with J-Dubb. Jordan Walker. Now cleanup hitter Jordan Walker. Do we have to give him that title now? Because Ali made that move over the weekend, was like, all right, here we go. And he was back in there on Monday,

Starting point is 00:14:29 delivered the go-ahead solo apot taco in the eighth inning to give the cardals a four to three lead. finished the night two for five after singling to right field in the ninth inning, which is great to see not one but two base hits to right field means he's, you know, he's got a good bat swing path and he's waiting on the ball. And when they're pitching him away, he's taking it that way and not trying to pull everything. And, you know, if he is able to reach that outside part of the play, which we know is giving him a lot of troubles, if he's able to do that and start pushing stuff to right field, dude's going to be dangerous because now they're going to be like, all right, well,

Starting point is 00:15:06 I guess we got to come in on him. And we know the bat speed that Jordan Walker possesses. So when they start doing that, he's going to start turning on things. And you're going to see balls fly out of the yard like he did the last couple nights. He's now hitting a team high 314 on the season. Team high, three home runs, team high, nine RBIs, the OBP just behind J.J. Weatherholt for the team lead at 385. He's slugging 629, the OPS 1.014.

Starting point is 00:15:32 you're seeing the competence, you're seeing the Sweden selection improve, you're seeing him do real damage when he makes contact. All of the things that we wanted to see from him over the last three years is happening right before our very eyes. The question is, how long will it last? Like, is this a blip on the radar or is this the beginning of something more? Consistency has been a thing that has eluded Jordan in recent years. but the guy looks like he's having fun playing baseball again, doesn't it?

Starting point is 00:16:05 And that'll happen. You know, when you started producing and you become that guy again, you kind of get your mojo back. And that's what's happening with Jordan Walker. So when things start to dip a little more, because they will, because that's, you know, just the way baseball goes, you hope that it's something that doesn't last very long

Starting point is 00:16:23 and he's able to pull himself right out of it yet again. So everything that he's doing right now, you've got to be pretty pleased with. So good stuff. good stuff. All that work that he put in this off season seems to be finally paying off, and we couldn't be happier about it. Number three star, we're going to go with Thomas and Jacey. Tough time getting going after he was off with Team Italy at the WBC, where we thought he was going to be there starting a shortstop, and he ended up hardly playing. So that really set him back.

Starting point is 00:16:56 Like he didn't really get much of a spring training because of that. So he's just kind of getting up the speed on everything. And on Monday, kind of look like the guy we thought he was going to be going two for three, taking a walk. Got his first outfield assist, which was awesome. When he gunned Brady House trying to tag and score in that seventh inning score was tied three, three. So it was a huge part of the game. There was a runner on third and nobody out fly ball to left field. And they tested to Jayce's arm. Why wouldn't you? You know, it's an infielder out there in left field. And he got him, gunned him down. So Jacey's grin was 10 miles wide. after it was confirmed he was out.

Starting point is 00:17:34 There was a great throw, great tag by Yvonne Herrera. So good stuff from Thomas and J.C. And I hope to see a lot more of that moving forward in the future. Because when we thought about this team, when you were talking about left field, we thought Thomas and Jacey was going to be a big part of that. And because the office hasn't been so good and they faced a lot of varieties, you've seen Nathan Church out there, but he has struggled. So somebody's got to do something out there in left field, right?

Starting point is 00:18:02 out to Victor Scott for making two outstanding plays defensively, had the running catch early on and then the diving catch to end that eighth inning, finally. Also got yet another bun down in what was another safety squeeze situation, which made it six to three at the time. This time, you know, the nationals were able to complete the play and they got them out of first base, but it worked once again. And all the hard work that Victor Scott put in with the bunting is clearly paying all. off. So keep that going. We'll take small ball stuff all day. JJ Weatherhole one for three, walk twice. So the OBP continues to be a strength with JJ at the top of the order. Andre Palante goes five innings. Had a rough start in this game. He allowed two in the first, but settled in nicely after that. Again, the command, the walks, you know, it's something that

Starting point is 00:18:54 you live with when it comes to Andre Palante. Some games, he just is incredible, right? And everything's working. And then some games, he's really battling mechanics and stuff. So, again, one thing that would help out is if guys like Palante, any of these starters could go further than five innings every time. That's really one of the reasons why the bullpen may not be good in the first place, but you don't have to go to them quite as early when you've got your starters stretch into six, seven innings would be great. You know, five and done isn't helping out. and with Dustin May not doing anything so far, just being just being the Miles Michaelis 2.0,

Starting point is 00:19:37 that is taxing everybody in the bullpen big time. Jojo was good again. When he came into this game, through another shutout inning, as you had to give up an earned run this season. On the flip side, you look at the guys that are kind of cold right now. Nolan Gorman, who, you know,

Starting point is 00:19:51 we'd been singing praises of, it was 0 for 4. And quietly, that batting average is sunk down to 182. like all of the sudden I looked out. I was like, wait, what? Yeah, 182. Burley 0 for four again. He's down to 216.

Starting point is 00:20:06 Herrera 0 for four. He's down to 200. Three of your biggest bats in the order. They got to get going. We got to get all these guys on the same page, you know, get hot at the same time. That's always the goal is to have it all mesh together at the same time. And so far, it's just been a lot of this guy's good. This one's not.

Starting point is 00:20:22 No, good. No, good. No, you know, there's no cohesiveness going on with the lineup. at this time, but it's still, when you put up six runs and you're up six three, going into the eighth, you expect to win games like that. And just a rough loss, tough one. Up next, let's talk about the Cardinals trades. They acquired a couple of guys to complete the Sunny Gray trade. And they made a trade with Baltimore for Nick Rockay. Plus, what else happened in the NL Central? We'll get the roundup on Monday for you next on

Starting point is 00:20:53 Lockdown Cardinals. Hey, this is Jeff Carrar from Lockdown Reds. And when it comes to our futures. We all have great ideas when it comes to our job, when it comes to our house, when it comes to our vehicles, all that great stuff. But honestly, when it comes to securing that future, I don't know what I don't know. And when me and my wife sat down to figure out the life insurance thing, ethos made everything simple. Everything's online. You have a quick and easy application process and you find out exactly what you need for coverage all in one spot. Ethos makes everything so convenient when it comes to learning about your own life insurance because insurance is something that is far beyond batting average or on base percentage. It's way out and left field for me.

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Starting point is 00:22:21 Infield or outfielder, Braded Smith was acquired from the Orioles for left-handed pitcher Nick Rakey, who was DFA to bring Schuster up. Right-handed pitcher Patrick Galley sent to the Cardinals as well as the player to be named later in the Sunny Gray trade with Boston Red Sox. Braden Smith was a 13th round pick this past summer by the Orioles. He's 22 years old.

Starting point is 00:22:43 He played college baseball at Oklahoma State where Matt Holiday's brother, Josh, is the head coach. Perhaps they got a little inside scoop from the holidays there. I'm like, hey, you might want to check this kid out. He's not so bad. 17 pro games very early in his career. He's only hit 190, 338 on base percentage 648 OPS. So not great numbers.

Starting point is 00:23:01 But again, it's the very beginning of his career. The team also acquired right-handed pitching prospect, Patrick Galley, as the player to be named later in that Red Sox deal with Boston and the Sunny Gray trade, 22 years old, 17th round draft pick in the 2025 MLB draft has been assigned to class at low A Palm Beach. According to Daniel Guerrero at STL Today.com and his brief showings on the mound. Don't miss. He had a fastball that hovered 95 to 97, reached 99 per scouting reports, flash 98.7 miles per hour on his fastball and a relief outing last July at City Field during a game between players participating in the Cape Cod League and MLB Draft League.

Starting point is 00:23:41 The Ritey also possesses a cutter and a slider. So a hard relief pitcher type of arsenal there. Will they be anything? We don't know. Some low-level prospects to say the least. But you never know. You never know when one of these guys is going to hit. And, you know, it's another throw-in from the sunny gray trade.

Starting point is 00:24:02 And then to get something for Nick Rakey, who wasn't going to be with you, anymore anyway. So that, okay, yeah, I'll, I'll take a shot there. I'll take a shot in the dark. NL Central Roundup. Brewers continue to roll. They beat Boston and are now eight and two to start the year. Apparently they plunk for McArdle Wilson Contreras again. The 24th time in his career, he's been hit by the Milwaukee Brewers. So he was fired up about it saying that if it happens again, he's taking someone out. His brother, by the way, is the catcher for the Brewers. So is he going to take out his brother? I don't know. I don't know. But yikes. We'll see what goes on there. If you're the Brewers, don't you throw them high and tight, like right away, right away in the

Starting point is 00:24:45 next game, just to just to buzz them. Red shut out the Marlins, moved to seven and three. The Cardinals gave up more runs in the eighth inning on Monday than the Reds have given up in their last four games combined. Their pitching has been insane. They're not scoring a lot of runs. So they're kind of walking that tight rope there, but they've won four straight behind this great pitching that they possess and they're they're looking good so far. Pirates get shut out by the Padres five nothing. They fall to six and four cards are in fourth place at five and five. Cubbies lose to the race six four. They're now four and six on the year. And the Cardinals will try to shake off the sting from Monday's loss. The leather top guy, Matthew Libitor on the mound

Starting point is 00:25:26 tonight against right-hand or Kate Cavali. First pitch is going to be at 545, St. Louis time. Thanks for making a lot. To cartels your first listed every day. If you haven't already, give us a follow on X at L1 underscore Cardinals. We're on TikTok and Instagram at Lockdown Cardinals. Like, subscribe on YouTube. If you never miss an episode, try that every day or club. It's built for you. Get Locked on Cardinals ad free,

Starting point is 00:25:44 plus members only Discord access and more full free month by using the code finally at a lockdownsdl Cardinals.com to join the club. For my video, folks, we're going to send you to the first ever 24-7 National Lockdown Podcast Network YouTube channel on audio. Make sure your second listen is Locked-on MLB. You're the best fans in baseball for a reason. And we will see you next.

Starting point is 00:26:04 on locked on cardinals. Let's go get a dub tonight, boys.

Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - DISASTER: St. Louis Cardinals Bullpen IMPLODES as Ryne Stanek & Matt Svanson Surrender Lead

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