The St. Louis Cardinals will turn to struggling starting pitcher Erick Fedde for Saturday’s game in the middle contest of a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium. Fedde, whose season has been a challenge with a 3-9 record and a 4.79 ERA, is receiving at least one more opportunity to improve his performance after the Braves narrowly defeated the Cardinals 6-5 on Friday night.
Fedde’s Recent Struggles and Efforts to Adjust
In his last three starts, Fedde has given up 17 runs on 20 hits over 10 innings, reflecting the difficulties he faces on the mound. He recently shared insight into the problems hindering his pitching, explaining,
“My sinker is not running, which is really killing me,”
and added concerns about his cutter’s excessive movement. He acknowledged,
“Right now, I’m throwing a lot of balls. When I’m throwing strikes they’re being hit well. It’s a difficult situation to navigate.”
Fedde also admitted that distractions have affected his focus during games. He said,
“Maybe, in a sense, thinking too much about outside things — about my mechanics, about tipping, about holding runners — and just not focusing on making the quality pitch right then and there. That is inexcusable, and I need to be better about it.”
Management’s Decision to Retain Fedde in the Rotation
Despite Fedde’s recent challenges, the Cardinals chose not to replace him in the starting rotation with rising pitching prospect Michael McGreevy. The team is maintaining confidence in Fedde, especially with the trade deadline approaching, hoping that a turnaround could make him a valuable trade option later.
Manager Oliver Marmol expressed his willingness to give Fedde another opportunity to rebound, stating,
“We’re going to give him another shot at it,”
and added,
“My hope is that we can get on the other side of (what) his last couple of outings have looked like.”
Fedde is aware of the difficulty that lies ahead, especially given his previous record against the Braves. In 11 career appearances, including 10 starts, he has an 0-6 record and a 9.98 ERA versus Atlanta, a statistic he hopes to improve.
Injury Concerns Impacting Cardinals and Braves Lineups
The Cardinals are also dealing with uncertainty regarding third baseman Nolan Arenado, who left Friday’s game with a sprained right index finger. Manager Marmol said the team will assess Arenado’s status on Saturday before deciding if he will play. On the other side, the Braves face injury questions of their own, with third baseman Austin Riley listed as questionable after leaving Friday’s contest due to lower abdominal tightness.
Atlanta Braves Seek Momentum Before the All-Star Break
The Braves entered the series having lost 11 of 14 games, a slump that includes an 11-inning loss to the Oakland Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif., on Thursday. Manager Brian Snitker expressed his desire for a positive outcome heading into the All-Star break, commenting,
“It’d be great going into the break on a little bit of a positive,”
and reflected on the team’s first half by saying,
“It’s been a tough first half and that’s probably understating everything. We’ve just got to keep looking for positives and keep working and start waiting on us to get on our run.”
Despite the struggles, some bright spots have emerged for Atlanta. Outfielder Jurickson Profar has contributed significant power since returning from an 80-game suspension, hitting two doubles and scoring a run on Friday. Profar has three home runs in his first 32 at-bats since coming back, a notable improvement compared to the combined two homers hit by the Braves’ left fielders in 330 at-bats before his return. Additionally, catcher Sean Murphy provided a strong offensive showing with two homers measuring 437 and 440 feet.
Braves Adjust Bullpen as Injuries Mount
With a short bench due to injuries, the Braves plan to use bullpen pitchers to start their final two games before the All-Star break. As of late Friday, they had not announced a starting pitcher for Saturday’s game. To bolster their bullpen staff ahead of the series, the Braves claimed left-handed pitcher Joey Wentz off waivers on Friday and designated right-handed reliever Kevin Herget for assignment.
Looking Ahead: Fedde’s Opportunity and Team Outlook
The Cardinals’ decision to persist with Erick Fedde reflects their hope that he can regain form and contribute meaningfully before the trade deadline, potentially increasing his value. Meanwhile, both teams face challenges in combatting injuries and finding consistency as they approach the midseason break. The outcome of Saturday’s game at Busch Stadium will be pivotal for Fedde’s future with the Cardinals and for the Braves as they seek to regain momentum moving forward.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How fast does Erick Fedde throw?
A. Between 2017 and 2025, Erick Fedde’s 13,124 pitches were recorded by the PITCHf/x system. This includes pitches from both MLB Regular Season and Spring Training. In 2025, he mainly used a Sinker at 93 mph, a Cutter at 90 mph, and a Slider at 82 mph, along with some Changeups at 87 mph.