Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - Who Do You Trust More The Rest Of This Year... Arenado Or Goldschmidt?

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Cardinals take care of business in Washington, and one of the big difference makers was a guy who wasn't even supposed to be on the roster when the season started. This is Locked-on Cardinals. You are Locked-on Cardinals, your daily St. Louis Cardinals podcast, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. Hey there, Cardinals fans. I'm Jady Haffern and I'm a National Radio Sports anchor, born and raised in the Lou and a lifetime Cardinals fan, and I'm your host for Locktown Cardinals, part of the Lockedon Podcast Network. work covering your team every day. You can follow me on Twitter, X at JD Sports Radio. You can follow the podcast at L.O underscore Cardinals.

Starting point is 00:00:41 I do want to thank those of you who make Lockstone Cardinals your first listen every day. We are free and available wherever you get your podcast. You can also find us on YouTube. Make sure you like, subscribe, and comment. Interact with us. Don't be shy. Hit the notification button so you know when new episodes are posted. This is a show serving Cardle Nation and giving the best fans in baseball,

Starting point is 00:01:00 all of the info about the birds on the bat. Today's episode of Locked on Cardinals is brought to you by Tax Network USA. Did you know that it's never too late to resolve your tax issues with the IRS? Don't wait. Reduce your tax debt and get help from a team of licensed tax professionals by calling 1-800-4-9-1-000 or visits he and USA. Dot com slash locked on. So welcome into what is a later edition of Locked on Cardinals here today. the boys had an afternoon game today.

Starting point is 00:01:34 I don't know if you heard about it, but the boys had an afternoon game today. And this was finishing up their series with the National. So I figured, hey, why not wait until everything is all wrapped up before we do Monday's episode? And boy, am I glad that I actually waited on this? Because Cardinals had themselves quite the finale in Washington, defeating an attitude, six to nothing.

Starting point is 00:01:55 They take three or four from them in the series. Now the Nats, let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's not like the Nats were going to be. expected to be this amazing team this year. They're not expected to be all that good since they continue to rebuild after the one Soto deal and stuff. They're still in the process of trying to get a good team on the field. They're 41 and 46 before the Cardinals came to town. So not like a pushover by any means. It's not like they are bottom of the barrel scrubs or something, but they're not a great team by any means either. In the Cardinals, let's be honest, they tend to play down

Starting point is 00:02:29 to the level of their opponents. They play down to them. They play up to them as well. They tend to play the good teams pretty good, too. So it was nice to see the Cardinals actually do what they should be doing against not so good teams. And that's beat them and beat them soundly, especially over the last two games. You had that dramatic come from behind extra innings when on Friday. They got the brains beat in on Saturday when Lance Lynn had arguably his worst start of his major league career.

Starting point is 00:02:57 Then on Sunday, the convincing eight to three. win behind Kyle Gibson, a strong start by him on Sunday. He had big days from Wilson Contreras and Nolan Aronado. Then today, Miles Michaelis takes the ball. Now, Miles, as you know, some days, he's good. Like, some days he hits his spots. He's dotting up the zone. And he looks like the All-Star from a couple years ago. Then there's other times that he misses right over the plate a lot, kind of the way Lynn did in Saturday's game and gets clobbered. Monday, we got the good Miles Michaelis. It was brilliant.

Starting point is 00:03:36 Over six and a third innings, he allowed six hits, no runs, no walks, struck out three. It's a lot of fun watching Miles Michaelis when he's on his game because he's what I like to call an old-fashioned pitcher where he's moving the ball up and down. He's in and out. He's changing speeds. that's how he wins. He pitches. He can't throw it by people on a regular basis. So when he's carving guys up, it's really enjoyable as a baseball fan to watch.

Starting point is 00:04:07 I love it. But of course, you have those ugly games where you're like, oh, my gosh, this guy should even be on the team anymore? Kidding, obviously, he's had a decent season, okay? Not great. I know the RA's high because he's gotten beat up a few times. But I think from what you thought you were going to get out of my Charles Michaelis, you're not that disappointed with how things have gone so far this year.

Starting point is 00:04:32 You liked how he looked in today's game, that's for sure. No doubt he's your number one star of the game. But I also got a guy that, you know, if he wasn't in this game, things might be a lot different than the way this game turned out. And that is my dude, Michael Ciani. Now, to say that Ciani has filled my romantic void left by Tyler. O'Neill's trade is an understatement. I love this dude. I love this dude and his presence was in full force on Monday from the very first Nationals hitter when Siani ran down a deep fly to right

Starting point is 00:05:08 center by their leadoff hitter, C.J. Abrams could have set Michaelis in this game on a course for disaster and done it right away. But instead, he does what he's done most of the season. He gets a great jump on the ball. He takes a great route. and he catches it on the warning track. Just beautiful stuff. And he really did save a run because two of the next three hitters got single, so that certainly kept the nationals off the scoreboard, kept things scoreless,

Starting point is 00:05:38 and he's very much appreciated. They were talking to Miles after the game about him, and they were talking to Alec Berlinson about Siani too after the game. And they have nothing but glowing things to say about what a difference Michael Siani has been in center field for the Cardinals. Then you got the bottom of the second similar fashion, Siani Robb's former Cardinal Juan Yeppez of an extra base hit. Two fantastic plays on fly balls that honestly, I don't think Dylan Carlson even comes close to catching them. And perhaps Tommy

Starting point is 00:06:13 Edmund gets to it with his great speed, but both of those catches, certified web gems that kept things scoreless until the third inning when the Cardinals got what was deemed a soft single by Nolan Gorman. You've seen them happen to the Cardinals a lot this year where slow tricklers end up being infield singles. That's what happened for Gorman there. Siani follows him up by getting a bump-based head, and then Gorman scores on an errant throw by Abrams

Starting point is 00:06:42 on the Burley double play ball. He was the team of one-and-nothing lead. Ciani was involved again in the ninth inning. Cardinals are up four to nothing at this point, but we like a little insurance on this team when they tend to try to keep game. close for no reason. And at this point, it's 4-0. Gorman singles. Seani didn't singles to right makes it first and third. Nobody out. He steals second base, his team leading 10th stolen

Starting point is 00:07:05 base of the year. And then he scores on Alec Berlinson's RBI single. Just a complete game by a guy who in spring training was a complete afterthought. You can't say that he wasn't. You had him penciled in as the sixth guy, maybe the fifth. Now, I don't even think he's the fifth, though. Because when you think about how the season was supposed to start and how the outfield was going to look, it was going to be Newport, Edmund, Walker, Donnie, and you had Carlson, and then Burleson, and then Siani. So now we're talking, what, seven? Somewhere there. So it's been nice. Let's put it that way. It's been nice. to half him out there. And now it's to a point where Michael Siani has done so much for this team defensively

Starting point is 00:08:01 and offensively. Not a great hitter, but he's hitting 233. He'll lay down a bump. Good base runner. It's to the point now where now that Newt's back and has been activated and played today and Edmund is on his way back, supposed to be playing Tuesday night in Springfield. How do you take Michael Siani out of the everyday lineup? How do you do it?

Starting point is 00:08:23 Other things to think about in this game. Burleson, Goldie, huge days. Combined to go four for 10, two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored. Gorman, two more hits today. He goes nine for 15 in the series with four runs scored. No home runs, which is a little bit odd, but he was all over the base pass, constantly on base. Fourth consecutive game scoring six or more runs for the Cardinals,

Starting point is 00:08:44 their longest streak since they did it back in 2019. JoJo and Kit come out of the bullpen, take care of the rest of the game after Michaelis was pulled. They shut out the nationals over the remaining two and two-thirds innings. The bullpen gave up four runs in the four games against the nationals. Four. And one of them was the automatic runner that blew the save for Ryan Ellsley in game one. So only three earned runs total of the 23 runs that the Nationals scored in this series.

Starting point is 00:09:16 Pretty good. Bullpen now top five in ERA, their first and saves, their second and holds. they've been a weapon. The shocking part is where the Cardinals are right now in the standings, in the division, in the wildcard, despite their two highest paid players having the worst seasons in their careers. We're going to get into that next on Locked on Cardinals. Price Picks is America's number one fantasy sports app with more than five million members. Prize Picks is the easiest and most exciting way to play daily fantasy sports. Now, online gather apps on prize picks.

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Starting point is 00:13:32 You can leave comments on YouTube as well as on Twitter X anytime you want. Your feedback always welcome and encouraged. I would love to hear with your thoughts about this next topic because the Cardinals played some great baseball, right? They've been playing great. It's a whole lot more fun to watch when they're winning, isn't it? A lot of great baseball over the last two months. and it's got them in a great position to add some pieces for a playoff push and hopefully a nice postseason run. And they've done it with arguably their two best hitters.

Starting point is 00:14:01 We know that they're two highest paid players. But with Paul Gultzman and Nolan Aronado having, let's be nice and say, underwhelming seasons for their standards, it hasn't been pretty for these two. Now, coming into Monday's game, let's start with Nolan Aronado, shall we? coming into Monday's game. Nato was hitting 270, seven home runs, 37 RBIs, 322 on base percentage, 379 slugging, 701 OPS, and an OPS plus of 99. The batting average, well below his career average coming into the season, which was 286. His career OBP, 343, 21 points lower this year. Career slugging, 528.

Starting point is 00:14:48 So that is what, like almost 50 points less. Career OPS, 871, 170 points less, and career OPS plus a 122. League average is 100 when it comes to OPS. So Nolan just a shade under the league average right now. And this is after Nata was warmed up a little bit. He went hitless in Monday's game, but nine for 18 in the previous four games with three.

Starting point is 00:15:18 RBI's. The power still MIA has just two home runs since June 1st, but you've seen him making adjustments and taking the ball the other way a lot more than he has in the past. Nolan Aronado, and I always have this argument with people because there was a time where Noon Aronado was leading the league at home runs, and he was always up in the, you know, top 10, top five. And yeah, he played a course field, which didn't hurt his cause. But I have always argued that Nolan Arnata was never a home run hitter. He's not a power hitter. He's a line drive hitter who happens to hit home runs. When he can pull the ball with authority at this point in his career, pitchers continue to pound him away in the power numbers. They're going to

Starting point is 00:16:03 suffer because he has no opposite field power whatsoever. He doesn't have power straightaway to center field at all. He's got to pull him down the line if he's going to get him over the wall. pitchers aren't giving them those pitches anymore. When he does get them, they're because the pitcher missed. Nobody is trying to beat Nolan Arnato and not a win side hardly at all anymore. So the power numbers are going to continue to suffer. They're not going to go up. But I think I speak for all of us that we'll take the hits and the 2-92 batting

Starting point is 00:16:34 average that he's had since June 1st if that's the way that the pitchers are going to pitch. We'll take it. If that's what he's got to do, and he's got to serve at the right field to get singles and doubles here and there, so be it. It's better than doing nothing and trying to pull pitches that are away from you to get the power stroke going. It's similar to kind of what Jordan Walker has had to work through at Memphis and what he was going through at the major league level. You want to know why he's not hitting home runs? Because the opposite field power for Nato, not good. Jordan Walker has got power to opposite field.

Starting point is 00:17:12 he has just to learn to do it. But we'll take that. I'll take a 2.92 batting average out of Nato instead of the power. And although the body of work at third base hasn't been, you know, the normal RONATO gold glove, platinum glove standard, the dude is still pretty darn good down there at the hot corner. You can do a lot worse. Third baseman with a minimum of 200 attempts this year, Nato has zero outs above average, which isn't good, right? But, key Brian Hayes who won the NL Gold Glove at third base last year for the Pirates Breaking Nato streak and the Rockies, Ryan McMahon are tops with outs above average for third baseman with a minimum of 200 attempts and they're at three.

Starting point is 00:17:53 So it's not like they're just running away with it where they're, you know, up in the seven, eights, and nines or something like that. Now coming into Monday's game, let's switch up things and go to Paul Goldschmidt. Paul Goldschman here. coming into Monday hitting 226, 11 home runs, now 12 after today, 33 RBIs, which is now up to 34. The OBP at 292, 292 guys, slugging 359, OPS 651, OPS plus of 84. Gross. The batting average well below his career average of 293 coming into the season.

Starting point is 00:18:36 All right, we're talking almost 70 points there. Career OBP 388. He's what, 96 points less, slugging at 519, obviously way down. Career OPS 909 is OPS this year, 651. I mean, career OPS plus is 143. He's at 84 this year. Like, Goldie has been really, really, really, really bad. Now, how does he compare to other NL first baseman? Batting average, 11th.

Starting point is 00:19:14 12 home runs, that's fifth, not horrible. The RBIs are ninth, the strikeouts, which is very alarming, the most by any NL first baseman. Stolen bases, second with six. If you're into that, OBP, third to last, slugging third to last, OPS, third to last. It's been rough for Paul Goldschman. It's been a terrible, terrible season. So for the Cardinals to now be at 48 and 42, with those two guys hitting as poorly as they have,

Starting point is 00:19:49 it's almost a miracle. It's almost a miracle. When you expected those two guys to lead the way, along with Wilson Contreras, who's been out for a month and a half because he got hurt. So your three biggest dudes, two of them aren't performing, One of them's been hurt, and they're still 48.

Starting point is 00:20:14 Forty-eight. Pretty good. So maybe give a little credit to some of the people. Maybe you haven't been giving much credit to guys like Ollie and Dusty Blake and, you know, Turner Ward, guys that usually catch a lot of heat. You don't have to give John Mosea Lack any love. That's fine. But you got to say, coaching staff's done a pretty darn good, considering that they're three big dudes. than pretty much MIA all season for different reasons.

Starting point is 00:20:45 I posed the question on Twitter asks, who do you trust most moving forward this year between Goldie and Nato? Results are in, 56% of the vote, say Nolan Arnato, 44% say Goldie. And I was a little shocked that that many said Goldie. Because even though he had, you know, the big knock today, the home run and was a big part of the offense,

Starting point is 00:21:07 it's just rare, you know, Like when he's up there, it feels like it's going to be a strikeout. It feels like he's getting lucky when he hits one hard, doesn't it? And I hate that feeling because that's not the Paul Goldschmidt. We've known and loved even his years in Arizona. Like when you saw him play, you're just like, this guy's a stud. And now you don't see that. You know, you're seeing a lot of strikeouts.

Starting point is 00:21:32 You're seeing them ground into devil plays a lot, popping out a lot. Like it's just, it's tough to watch. Tough to watch. Some of the replies about Goldianato, don't trust neither. Trade him now. Should have had a third option. Our Anato was not all there.

Starting point is 00:21:51 Seems like Aronado has a rain cloud following him. I don't believe either is cooked. Both are going to Cooperstown, and it's in our best interest to have them wearing red hats doing it. Well, I can tell you this much. I know that you're probably sick of seeing them hit or not hit. neither of them are going anywhere this year. It's not going to happen. They will continue to be a part of the heart of this order and in the lineup almost daily, no matter how much they struggle. If the team can get back to being healthy in the second half, the way that they were thought the roster was going to look like, maybe you see them get a couple of extra days off here and there, which wouldn't hurt considering their age.

Starting point is 00:22:28 but what's going to happen after this year. That's something that's still up in the air. There's many that believe that they will try to re-sign Paul Goldschmidt. I don't know if that's a great idea. I don't think it is because you got a guy by the name of Alec Berluson, who in his second year has been outstanding. Hit another dinger today, batting 283, 15 home runs, or 14 home runs, excuse me, 14 home runs, a team leading 45 RBI.

Starting point is 00:22:54 He's tied with Gorman now. among qualified NFL NL outfielders, Burleson is now third in batting average, third in home runs, eighth in RBIs, fifth in slugging in eight in OPS. Now with Newback, you've got,

Starting point is 00:23:14 and you heard I'm talking about on the telecast today, what's their best defensive outfield? Ollie believes it's Donnie, Siani, and Newport. So where does that lead Burleson? Who's been one of your best hitters? and is one of the best inning outfielders in the National League. You've got Tommy Edmund returning.

Starting point is 00:23:35 You've got Dylan Carlson still on the roster. Don't tell me you're sending Siani, who is in the gold glove chatter and the Platinum Glove Award chatter in the National League with his 12 outs above average and 11 runs prevented coming into Monday's game. Don't tell me. You're thinking about benching him. I'm not going to bench Donnie.

Starting point is 00:23:56 Newt, if he stays healthy, which probably isn't going to happen. he's a starter. When Edmund does come back, considering all that he's gone through, do you just keep him on the bench? Is he like a super utility guy? Do you, DFA, Brandon Crawford? And Edmund becomes that spot on the bench.

Starting point is 00:24:17 How does Jordan Walker fit into all of this now that he's a full-time outfielder? Because it just seems to me that Burley's future might be at first base. He might be the first baseman of the future after the season. You most definitely are going to see him de-aging more, which means Contreras will have to catch more, which brings up another problem with, are you just not going to use Pedro Pahez anymore? Considering how good he's been with the pitching staff and how good he's been behind the plate and throwing runners out and stuff, it's a good problem to have. But again, people have to get healthy and stay that way for it to get as complicated as I'm probably making it sound. It's just there's a lot of people that deserve a chance to play. And you've got guys coming back who have been hurt and it's going to push things around a little bit.

Starting point is 00:25:06 So we'll see what happens. You know, Jose Fermin was sent back to Memphis, which made sense with the activation of Newfar. We'll see what else happens. And when Stephen Mats comes back, you know, these are all roster spots that are going to be filled by somebody. Riley O'Brien when he comes back, who's going down? Who out of the bullpen doesn't deserve to be here anymore? Nobody, really. They've all been pretty good.

Starting point is 00:25:31 Gallegos, maybe. That's why the more I think about it, the more I'm on board with the team grabbing a right-handed bat to go along with pitching before the trade deadline. Because a lot of lefties out there in the outfield. So anyway, what do you guys think about all this? I just threw out, I just vomited a lot of thoughts at you.

Starting point is 00:25:50 What do you guys think about it? Let me know down below. All-Star Game starters and reserves were announced. Cardinals only got one. little lonely selection. We'll talk about it next on lockdown carcals. I love sports. I love them so much that I never want them to stop.

Starting point is 00:26:08 But with the playoffs winding down in all the other sports, they're gone basically, you know, you're out of the NHL, you're out of the NBA. Football's coming up here real, real soon, though. You'll be surprised how quick that'll be here. But, you know, sports aren't sporting like I want them to normally. I don't have all my favorite teams to root for.

Starting point is 00:26:26 I miss watching the blues, you know. I miss watching NBA basketball. ball. But Fandall lets me keep the sports going whenever I want. All I've got to do was open up the app and this dream up any bets anytime I'm in the mood. And this summer, Fandle is hooking up all customers with a boost or a bonus daily. That's right. There's something for everyone every day all summer long. So you got the Cardinals and the Royals set to play on Tuesday, weather permitting. Michael Waka, going to be on the mouth of Kansas City. Andre Palante for the Cardinals.

Starting point is 00:27:00 Are some of these Cardinal bats going to stay hot? Is it going to be a rude awakening for Waka's return to Bush Stadium? We'll find out. You can bet on these things. Head on over to fandole.com slash locked on and start making the most out of your summer. Fandle, the official sports vetting partner of Major League Baseball. Locked on us lunch, the first ever national sports 24-7 streaming channel on YouTube. It's now also available on Amazon Fire TV and the Free Fire TV channels app.

Starting point is 00:27:32 It's here for you 24-7 covering the top sports stories of the day with the local experts of locked on plus or national shows, which cover every league. Find locked on sports today now available on the free fire TV channels app. Excuse me. Congratulations. I'm all choked up about Ryan Helsley. The Cardinals Closer was the only member of the team selected for this year's MLBL All-Star game, which will take place at Globe Live Stadium in Texas on Tuesday, July the 16th. obviously Helsley deserves it. When they first started announcing the ballots and whatnot,

Starting point is 00:28:06 looking up and down the roster, and this was before the Cardinals even kind of took off and became one of the better teams in the National League. I still looked at it and was like, no, one, maybe two guys, we'll make it. I thought Sonny Gray would be somebody that made it. It was a little surprised that he wasn't named to the roster, but obviously Helsley deserves it.

Starting point is 00:28:28 31 saves, leads all of Major League Baseball, three and three on the season, a 2.41 ERA, 47 strikeouts, 41 innings pitched. He's got two blown saves. First game that he came in in 2024 against the Dodgers, and then his last game on the fifth against the nationals when he allowed the automatic runner to score. And that's it.

Starting point is 00:28:52 That's all it's been. Excuse me, like dusty over here. Anyway, not every game has gone smoothly for Ryan Halsley. We know that. Then a few walks, then a few hits. But it's gotten the job done. 31 out of 33 opportunities. He gets the job done.

Starting point is 00:29:15 That's the bottom line. It gets done. And perhaps the most important thing, he has stayed healthy. You know, that game against nationals where they blow the save, does the automatic runner being on. He blows the save and tells Ali, I want the ball next thing. I'm not coming out. And Ali's like, okay, I will not argue with that.

Starting point is 00:29:36 And he goes out there and picks up the win. Only game that he's thrown more than one inning so far this year. So not something I expect them to do very often because you got to keep them healthy. But that's been a huge part of this. The argument can be made that a couple of other Cardinals, maybe should have been allowed to be on the All-Star roster. And there's still time for people to back out and other guys to get onto the roster. The argument can be made that the other two pieces of the Trinity,

Starting point is 00:30:08 Jojo Romero and Andrew Kittridge, should have a spot as relievers on the team. Romero leads Major League Baseball and holds with 26. Andrew Kittridge is now tied for second after getting his 25th hold today. Mason win obviously been a huge part of the team success as a rookie in its first full season. Among NL shortstop, Mason win is second and batting average to that guy, I don't know if you've heard of them, mooky bets out in Los Angeles who's hurt right now. But when has been excellent, fourth and OBP among shortstops in the NL, sixth and slugging, sixth in OPS, but I can see why he's not on the roster.

Starting point is 00:30:50 I get it. his time will come. If he keeps doing what he's doing, his time will come. We went over Burleson stats earlier in the show, where he ranks among NL outfielders. I mean, certainly has a case for being on this team.

Starting point is 00:31:05 But these guys aren't household names yet. And to be honest with you, I selfishly am glad that they didn't get named to the team because I want them to get some rest. I want them to just take a load off for a little while. All of them. I hope Ryan Helsley goes, but I hope he doesn't pitch.

Starting point is 00:31:20 I hope they go, nah, don't throw them. Game doesn't mean anything. It's cool. It's an honor. And I'm happy for them. And if any of these other guys get on there, I'll be happy for them as well. But it's not necessary. It's not necessary to actually throw in that game.

Starting point is 00:31:39 So I'd rather them get some rest. Again, selfishly. Cardinals finish up their road trip from Pittsburgh and Washington with a five and two record. They're back home to face Kansas City for two before getting an off day on third. Thursday before the final three games, which will be at home against the Cubs this weekend. And then it's the All-Star break. So you got the I-70 series, as we call it, begins with our old friend Michael Walk on the bump for Kansas City on Tuesday against the newly invigorated Andre Palante,

Starting point is 00:32:06 who a lot of people say, hey, he should be the fifth guy. We don't need to trade for one anymore. Palante looks good. We'll see how he looks against Kansas City Royals who have had a pretty good season so far. although they've struggled a little bit recently. But it's going to be a fun one to watch. It always is with the I-70 series. First pitch, 645 St. Louis time.

Starting point is 00:32:25 And I believe City Connect jerseys, I believe, is that what's happening? Is it City Connect on Tuesday? I'm looking at this up real quick. We're doing this live. I'm looking this up because I believe that is what's happening. Yes, City Connect on. So they haven't lost yet in those jerseys. So hopefully that's a good sign.

Starting point is 00:32:48 our St. Louis Cardinals. So again, 645, first pitch, St. Louis time. Thank you for making lockdown Cardinals for first listening every day. If you haven't already, please give me a follow on Twitter X at L.O underscore Cardinals and at JD Sports Radio. Like, subscribe on YouTube, help our channel and love for the St. Louis Cardinals grow. You guys are the best fans in baseball for a reason, and I'll see you next time on Locked on Cardinals.

Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - Who Do You Trust More The Rest Of This Year... Arenado Or Goldschmidt?

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