JUNE 25, 2023•NEWSOBSERVER.COM
After error-filled opening, Cardinals use jolly good rally to upend Cubs, split London SeriesLONDON — It wasn’t the start they needed or the series they imagined but it had the finish they’re really beginning to enjoy and must have m...
Efforts of this pitcher helped Cardinals split series with Cubs in London, England“MVP of the whole series. He really locked it down, saved us there in the bullpen in the last game,” a teammate said.
JUNE 25, 2023•BND.COM
4 artifacts from '23 London Series to be enshrined in HOFLONDON -- The 2023 London Series was a rousing success, heralded as a historic next step for MLB’s efforts in venturing abroad and growing t...
JUNE 25, 2023•MLB.COM
Ryan Helsley - Not close to returnManager Oliver Marmol said Sunday that Helsley (forearm) isn't close to being activated from the 15-day injured list, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
ImpactThe 28-year-old was shut down from throwing for 10 days after landing on the injured list with a forearm strain June 12, and he'll need some time to build his arm back up after the shutdown period. A return after the All-Star break in mid-July still appears possible for Helsley, though he's without a clear target date for his return. Jordan Hicks has stepped in as St. Louis' primary closer in the interim, having recorded the club's past four saves.
JUNE 25, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Willson Contreras - Four hits versus former teamContreras went 4-for-4 with one double and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Cubs.
ImpactContreras went 0-for-4 against the Cubs during Saturday's loss, but he bounced back Sunday and notched his first four-hit game of the season against his former team. It's been a struggle for the 31-year-old backstop during his first season with St. Louis, and even after his big offensive day in London, he's still slashing just .216/.304/.372 across 70 games (283 plate appearances).
JUNE 25, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Jordan Hicks - Secures fourth saveHicks (illness) picked up the save in Sunday's 7-5 win over the Cubs, allowing one run on one hit over one inning. He struck out two and didn't record a walk.
ImpactHicks was deemed unavailable for the first contest in London due to an illness, but he was cleared ahead of Sunday's matchup and was called upon in the ninth inning with a three-run lead. Hicks worked around a leadoff double from Nick Madrigal to record his fourth save over the past eight days, running away with the closing job since Ryan Helsley (forearm) hit the injured list. Helsley isn't close to returning, so Hicks, who owns a 14.3 K/9 through 30 appearances, is a must-roster player in all fantasy formats moving forward.
JUNE 25, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Matthew Liberatore - Pulled in third inningLiberatore did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four unearned runs on four hits and two walks over 2.1 innings against the Cubs. He struck out three.
ImpactLiberatore was tagged for four runs in the first, but none of them were earned due to two errors from the Cardinals defense. The left-hander was pulled in the third inning at 56 pitches (33 strikes) in favor of John Woodford, who earned the win. Liberatore has started six of his seven MLB appearances this season, but Sunday's outing was by far his shortest as a starter, as he completed at least four innings in his other starts. The 23-year-old's spot in the rotation remains secure moving forward, especially if Jack Flaherty (hip) has to miss extended time, but Liberatore figures to have a short lease during his outings, with Woodford and Steven Matz available as long-relief options out of the bullpen.
JUNE 25, 2023•ROTOWIRE
