What the data shows
What does the future hold for the St. Louis Cardinals as they approach the 2026 season? The answer lies in their revamped bullpen strategy, which is expected to be mostly settled before the season begins. This shift marks a significant departure from previous approaches, particularly moving away from Ryan Helsley as a traditional closer and instead employing matchup-based relievers.
Key players like JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien have already made their mark, combining for 14 of the team’s 16 saves over the last two months of the previous season. O’Brien is anticipated to take the lead as the primary closer, while Matt Svanson is set to fill a crucial firefighter role within the bullpen. Justin Bruihl is projected to be the Opening Day lefty, primarily tasked with handling garbage innings. These strategic changes reflect a broader trend in baseball towards more specialized roles in the bullpen.
The Cardinals’ bullpen has been relatively effective, ranking 11th in baseball in fWAR over the last three seasons. However, the team has missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, prompting a reevaluation of their strategies. As they prepare for the upcoming season, the Cardinals are aiming for an expected 75 wins, a significant improvement over last year’s performance.
Despite the changes on the field, the Cardinals have maintained continuity in their broadcast team, even as they transition to producing most of their games through Major League Baseball after ending their partnership with FanDuel Sports Network. Fans will still be able to catch games through various cable providers, including Charter/Spectrum and AT&T U-verse, with MLB.TV subscriptions available for those outside the Cardinals’ television footprint.
As the team gears up for the season, questions remain regarding the exact roles of the bullpen pitchers. The impact of the new pitching philosophy on the bullpen’s performance is also uncertain. Details remain unconfirmed, but the Cardinals are hopeful that these changes will lead to a more successful season.
One player to watch is Gordon Graceffo, who has had a mixed performance in the big leagues, posting a 6.04 ERA over 28 games compared to a more favorable 3.94 ERA in the minors. His development could be pivotal for the Cardinals as they look to solidify their pitching staff.
As the Cardinals prepare for Opening Day, the competition for roster spots is heating up. If Nelson Velazquez continues to impress during spring training, he could secure a place on the Opening Day roster, potentially leaving Matt Pushard as the odd man out. The team is keenly aware that young players must learn how to win, especially in a season where projections suggest they cannot afford to be 10 games worse than last year.
With the season just around the corner, the St. Louis Cardinals are at a critical juncture. The decisions made in the coming weeks will shape not only the bullpen but the entire team’s trajectory as they strive to return to playoff contention.
