Steven Matz - Page 3 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Blanks Cubs for win Matz (2-7) tossed six shutout innings Sunday against the Cubs. He allowed just four hits and no walks while striking out two.

Impact Matz tossed his second straight start of shutout baseball and put a stamp on an excellent month of pitching. Over five starts in July, Matz posted a 1.69 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB in 26.2 innings. Matz has allowed just one run over his last 17 innings and a home start against the Rockies this coming week should set him up for another favorable outing.

JULY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Matz pitches six strong innings as Cardinals stop Cubs' eight-game win streak with 3-0 victory

Steven Matz and two relievers combined on a five-hitter, and the St. Louis Cardinals snapped the Chicago Cubs’ eight-game winning streak with a 3-0 victory

JULY 30, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Matz continues to shine for Cards' rotation PHOENIX -- Steven Matz wasn’t the most confident pitcher at the beginning of the season. It’s one of the reasons he was moved from the rotat...

JULY 26, 2023 • MLB.COM

Throws quality start Matz allowed five hits and a walk while striking out six over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Impact Matz completed six frames for the first time this season, and this was one of his sharpest outings. He's allowed six runs (five earned) over 20.2 innings across four starts since rejoining the Cardinals' rotation. The strong stretch has him at a reasonable 4.34 ERA despite a 1.44 WHIP and 85:30 K:BB through 87 innings through 22 appearances (14 starts). Matz has likely solidified his place in the rotation, so he can be projected for a home start against the Cubs this weekend.

JULY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets off schneid with first victory Matz (1-7) earned the win over the Cubs on Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out six batters over five innings.

Impact Matz has bounced between the rotation and bullpen this season, but coming into Thursday he hadn't picked up a victory in either capacity. The left-hander finally found himself in the win column in his 21st appearance of the campaign, going just deep enough to qualify for the victory. Matz needed 97 pitches (59 strikes) to get through five frames, though he gave up just three hits and one walk and didn't hit any batters. The veteran hurler has pitched well in two of three starts since returning to the rotation, and he's likely to stick in that role as long as he continues to be effective.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in start Matz did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against Washington. He struck out four.

Impact After tossing a gem in his return to the starting rotation last time out, Matz retired his first seven batters Saturday. However, the start went downhill fast, as Matz served up a pair of solo homers in the third to Alex Call and CJ Abrams. Through 12 starts (60 innings), Matz is 0-6 with a 5.40 ERA and a 58:23 K:BB but he's been much improved since moving to the pen. Considering his struggles as a starter, it's unclear if Matz will stick in the rotation, however, he may be forced into at least one more start with Adam Wainwright (shoulder) shelved.

JULY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Draws another turn through rotation Matz is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Nationals in St. Louis.

Impact Given the Cardinals' thin starting pitching depth along with the fact that Matz struck out nine while allowing an unearned run over 5.1 innings in his outing last Sunday against the White Sox, it's not surprisingly that he'll be making a second straight turn through the rotation. Despite his excellent showing his last time out, Matz is still sitting on an 0-7 record, 4.65 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 71.2 innings this season, so he's still tough to rely on a streaming option even in what profiles as a strong matchup on paper. To Matz's credit, he's been far more effective while working primarily as a reliever since the beginning of June, pitching to a 1.93 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB in 18.2 innings over the past six weeks.

JULY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fantasy baseball rest of season SP rankings: Top 150, from Spencer Strider to Steven Matz John Laghezza has pored over the data to determine his Top 150 starting pitchers for the second half, with Spencer Strider leading the way.

JULY 13, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Strong in return to rotation Matz allowed an unearned run on two hits and struck out nine over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the White Sox on Sunday.

Impact Matz was taken out of the rotation in late May and showed well as a reliever with a 2.81 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 16 innings across eight relief appearances. He carried over the success in a return to the rotation Sunday, where he was only charged with a run on an RBI single by Elvis Andrus in the third inning. Matz concludes a challenging first half with a 4.65 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 69:25 K:BB over 71.2 innings through 19 appearances (11 starts). With the rest of the Cardinals' rotation lacking consistency, Matz may have a good chance to remain a starter following the All-Star break.

JULY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will get start Sunday Matz will start for the Cardinals on Sunday against the White Sox, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Impact That would have been Matthew Liberatore's turn, but he was optioned back to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday. Matz has pitched a little better since being moved to the bullpen in late May, though there's not much fantasy appeal here -- no matter the role.

JULY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Comes on in long relief Wednesday Matz tossed 2.1 innings out of the bullpen in Wednesday's 10-9 loss to the Marlins, surrendering two earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two batters.

Impact Heading into the week, Matz looked to be a candidate to start Wednesday, but the Cardinals instead had rookie Matthew Liberatore take the hill on three days' rest. Liberatore recorded just one out on 21 pitches and was shelled for four earned runs before the Cardinals called upon Dakota Hudson (2.2 innings) and Matz to work multiple frames out of the bullpen. With Adam Wainwright (shoulder) moving to the injured list earlier Wednesday, the Cardinals have an opening in the rotation again Sunday, but Matz could be passed over for the assignment in favor of Liberatore once again. Both Matz (32 pitches) and Hudson (52 pitches) handled heavier workloads than Liberatore on Wednesday and could be less fresh for Sunday.

JULY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Wednesday after all Matz is no longer in line to start Wednesday against the Marlins, as the Cardinals have confirmed that Matthew Liberatore will draw the start in Miami, John Denton of MLB.com repor...

Impact Though prior reports suggested that Matz would get the starting nod Wednesday, the Cardinals will instead turn to Liberatore on three days' rest after the rookie covered 4.1 innings in the second game of this past Saturday's doubleheader with the Yankees. Manager Oliver Marmol hasn't revealed whether Matz will be available in relief Wednesday, but if the veteran southpaw goes unused, he'll likely be a candidate to fill the spot in the rotation vacated by Adam Wainwright (shoulder), who was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier in the day. Wainwright had been lined up to make his next start Sunday versus the White Sox.

JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Drawing start Wednesday Matz will start for the Cardinals on Wednesday in Miami, Isaac Azout of SBNation.com reports.

Impact The Cards needed a spot starter following a doubleheader over the weekend. Matz has posted a 1.98 ERA since being demoted to the bullpen a month ago, which includes 6.2 scoreless frames over his last two appearances. That was preceded by a 5.72 ERA in 10 starts, though, making him a poor streaming option especially since he won't be ready for a full workload.

JULY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unravels in 10th inning Matz (0-7) allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and struck out two in one inning to take the extra-inning loss versus the Giants on Wednesday.

Impact This is Matz's first loss since moving to the bullpen. He's given up four runs (three earned) over seven innings with a 7:0 K:BB in that span, though he's also yielded two hits and hit two batters. The southpaw is still on the outside looking in for the Cardinals' starting plans, but Matthew Liberatore hasn't exactly run away with the No. 5 starter job with mixed results over his last three outings. Matz is at a 5.49 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 52:20 K:BB over 57.1 innings this season, and he'll likely remain in a bullpen role until the struggling Cardinals opt to mix up the rotation.

JUNE 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

As bad as Mets have been, there was an even uglier scenario Steven Matz and Carlos Correa could have been Mets.

JUNE 12, 2023 • NYPOST.COM

Working toward return to rotation Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Friday that there is a plan in place to work Matz back into the starting rotation, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Impact Matz is sitting as the odd man out after the Cards decided to implement a five-man rotation instead of six. Matthew Liberatore currently holds the No. 5 spot and is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Rangers, but it seems nothing is set in stone just yet.

JUNE 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting start skipped Matz will be available out of the bullpen for the upcoming two-game series versus the Royals, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Impact Matz remains winless at 0-6 with a 5.72 ERA through 10 starts this season. With a scheduling quirk leading to consecutive days off (Wednesday and Thursday), the Cardinals won't need a fifth or sixth starter for a while. It's possible Matz could rejoin the rotation during a road series in Texas from June 5-7. With Matthew Liberatore up in the majors, Matz may eventually be ticketed to the bullpen on a more permanent basis if he can't get his season on track.

MAY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains winless Matz (0-6) took the loss Wednesday as the Cardinals were routed 10-3 by the Reds, coughing up six runs on 11 hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out two.

Impact Nine of Cincy's 11 hits were singles, but it's still hard to chalk this one up entirely to bad BABIP luck on Matz's part. He has yet to complete six innings in any of his 10 starts this season and has issued multiple free passes in seven of them, and his 19.4 percent strikeout rate and 8.6 percent walk rate are his worst numbers in five years. The veteran southpaw will take a 5.72 ERA and 1.75 WHIP into his next outing, which is currently scheduled for early next week at home against the Royals. If Matthew Liberatore has another solid performance Friday, however, it wouldn't be surprising if the Cards used their upcoming two-day break May 31-June 1 to shuffle their rotation and drop Matz from the picture.

MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Inefficient in loss Matz (0-5) allowed an unearned run on six hits and two walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Dodgers.

Impact Matz needed 103 pitches (66 strikes) to get 14 outs in an inefficient outing. He's yet to complete six innings in any of his nine starts this season, though this was the second time in his last three games that he's been able to limit the damage to one run. The Cardinals still aren't giving him much run support even when he has a good showing. Matz owns a 5.05 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 43:18 K:BB across 46.1 innings this season. With Matthew Liberatore up from Triple-A Memphis, it appears the Cardinals will work with a six-man rotation for a while. Matz should not be considered safe to remain a starter if or when the team returns to a five-man rotation. He's tentatively projected for a road start in Cincinnati next week.

MAY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet in no-decision Matz did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against Boston. He struck out four.

Impact Though Matz was tagged for eight hits, the most he's given up since April 10, he managed to keep the ball in the park, allowing no home runs for just the second time this season. The veteran southpaw has yet to earn a win in 2023 while holding a 5.63 ERA and a 2.3 K/BB. He may have to wait one more start to pick up the elusive victory, as Matz is tentatively scheduled for a matchup with the Dodgers, who are scoring 5.44 runs per game this season and boast the fourth-best record in MLB.

MAY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Allows one run in no-decision Matz did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Tigers, allowing one run on five hits and no walks. He struck out two.

Impact Matz surrendered a solo home run to Spencer Torkelson in the fourth but otherwise kept the Tigers in check. He left after the fifth with a 3-1 lead, which was promptly blown by James Naile the following frame. Matz has been rocky so far this season, but Sunday was the first outing during which he did not walk a batter and gave up fewer than two runs. The 32-year-old now sits at a 5.70 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 33:15 K:BB over 36.1 innings. He lines up for a difficult matchup on the road against Boston next weekend.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Listed starter Sunday Matz is listed as the Cardinals' probable starter Sunday against the Tigers, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact There has been some thought that Matthew Liberatore might get the call to take Matz's rotation spot, but Jones also notes that Liberatore is the listed starter at Triple-A Memphis on Saturday. Matz is seemingly going to get at least one more turn before perhaps sliding into a bullpen role. He is 0-4 with a 6.39 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 31:15 K:BB through 31 innings (six starts) this season with St. Louis.

MAY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rotation spot uncertain Cardinals manager Oli Marmol was noncommittal Thursday when asked whether Matz will remain in the starting rotation, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact Matz is currently lined up to start Sunday's series finale against the Tigers, but the Cardinals seem to be considering other options -- maybe even a promotion of Matthew Liberatore. Matz, 31, has gone 0-4 with a 6.39 ERA and 1.71 WHIP through 31 innings (six starts) in the second year of a four-year, $44 million deal.

MAY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers fourth loss Matz (0-4) took another loss Tuesday against the Angels, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings.

Impact Matz wound up surrendering all four runs in the first frame. He walked Mike Trout, who came around to score following back-to-back singles and Taylor Ward capped off the inning with a three-run blast to left field. Matz would settle in the rest of the way, tossing four scoreless innings but would not get the run support to help erase the damage done. The 31-year-old has yet to reach six innings and has given up at least four runs in four of his six starts this year. Matz now owns a 6.39 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 31:15 K:BB over 31 innings and will try to get his first win in a projected matchup with the Tigers over the weekend.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Goes just four innings Wednesday Matz did not factor in the decision against the Giants on Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three batters over four innings.

Impact All things considered, Matz was fortunate to have just two runs charged to his line, as he allowed nine batters to reach base over just four frames. The southpaw escaped a bases-loaded jam in the third but yielded a pair of runs on four hits in the fourth and wasn't allowed to continue into the fifth. Matz needed 90 pitches -- only 51 of which were strikes -- to get through his four innings, continuing what has been a rough season thus far. He's 0-3 on the campaign with a 6.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB across 26 frames.

APRIL 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Matz pitches six strong innings as Cardinals stop Cubs' eight-game win streak with 3-0 victory