The St. Louis Cardinals are confronting a challenging situation as left-hander Matthew Liberatore’s recent velocity decline raises concerns about his future as a starter. After transitioning from a relief pitcher to a starting role at the start of the season, Liberatore initially demonstrated promise, maintaining a 3.70 ERA through his first 17 starts. However, a noticeable decrease in his pitch speed has created uncertainty regarding his place in the rotation moving forward.
Manager Weighs Options Amid Performance Issues
Cardinals manager Oli Marmol has openly addressed the issue, stressing the importance of closely evaluating Liberatore’s effectiveness. Following his latest appearance, Marmol said,
If it doesn’t make sense to continue to have him go because there’s a regression in his overall stuff, velocity, being able to hold it, then we’ll make a decision on it.
This statement signals that the team is seriously considering adjustments depending on Liberatore’s ability to regain his form.
Struggles Accumulate During Recent Starts
Over the previous five outings, the 25-year-old southpaw has encountered significant difficulties, posting a 5.95 ERA and suffering four losses, which has lowered his record to 6-10 this season. The increased workload from moving into a full-time starting role appears to have impacted Liberatore’s stamina and effectiveness, as he has pitched 117 innings this year—31 more than his total from the prior season. This rise in innings pitched might be contributing to the decline in his velocity and performance.
Detailed Look at Liberatore’s Recent Outings
His most recent game against the Colorado Rockies highlighted the issues he’s facing. Liberatore was strong early on, maintaining a perfect record through three innings with fastballs reaching 95 mph. However, as he progressed into the fourth inning, his velocity dropped noticeably, sliding to a range of 90-91 mph by the fifth. Despite the drop, he was able to sustain this level of velocity for about 25 pitches longer than in his previous start, suggesting there is still potential for recovery.
Liberatore admitted to being puzzled by the sudden fluctuations in his velocity during his last five starts, where he has failed to pitch deeper than 4.1 innings. He explained,
It’s something that I feel there’s no precursor to it,
and added,
I feel great, and then I go out in the fifth inning and turn around and (the velo) is not the same as it was the rest of the game.
Team’s Strategy Moving Forward
The Cardinals plan to continue monitoring Liberatore’s condition as he takes the mound again soon. Marmol indicated no immediate decisions about his rotation status would be made for at least another week. He remarked,
He’s recovering well in between starts,
and added,
He’s healthy and feeling strong. But it’s a matter of being able to maintain it during his start. If anything points to that not being the case, then we’ll make a decision.
Significance of Liberatore’s Performance for the Cardinals
As the Cardinals face a pivotal moment in Liberatore’s season, the outcome of his upcoming starts will be crucial not only for his career but also for the team’s overall competitiveness. If Liberatore can regain his velocity and endurance, he has the potential to solidify his role in the starting rotation. Otherwise, the team may need to explore alternative options to strengthen their pitching staff during a demanding season.