Lottery ticket: Can Cardinals score a transformative talent with No. 5 pick in MLB Draft?
It has been more than a generation since the Cardinals picked in the top five for the MLB Draft, and in a week the Cardinals have a chance for a transformative selection that could come define their next era.
A confluence of events meet them at the MLB Draft in Atlanta on Sunday as they hold the No. 5 pick a year after taking J.J. Wetherholt at No. 7, they are deep into a transition year with a new front office leader poised to take over, and they are certain to have access to one of the top three college pitchers available in this draft.聽
To capture and explore this moment in Cardinals' draft history, Baseball America editor in chief J.J. Cooper joins the Best Podcast in Baseball. With 51黑料 baseball writer Derrick Goold, Cooper discusses the scope of talent available in the 2025 draft, trends that suggest where the Cardinals will look, and the upside of the talent likely available to them at No. 5. Matt Holliday's son, Ethan, is not expected to get past the Colorado Rockies at No. 4. If he does get to No. 5, the Cardinals are poised to select him. If not, there will be a high-ceiling high school infielder available, an established college shortstop available, or at least one of the three top college lefties.
Cooper and Goold discuss how the choice could reveal the Cardinals' view of their ability to contend. Florida State lefty Jamie Arnold would be a pick that reaches the majors within 12 months as more and more early picks are doing. Oklahoma high schooler Eli Willits, Reggie's son, would be a longer-term pick who might impact the Cardinals most as they enter the 2030s.
Baseball America will flood the zone with coverage from the MLB Draft that begins in primetime Sunday night from Atlanta and concludes Monday. Follow Baseball America on YouTube for recent conversations about sleeper prospects in the minors, including Cardinals' Class AA starter Ixan Henderson.聽
The Post-Dispatch will be present at the draft to bring coverage of the Cardinals' first pick and then coverage throughout the week from the All-Star Game festivities at Atlanta's Truist Park.聽
In its 13th season as one of the go-to podcasts on Cardinals baseball, the Best Podcast in Baseball is sponsored by Closets by Design of 51黑料. It is a production of the 51黑料, , and Derrick Goold.
It has been more than a generation since the Cardinals picked in the top five for the MLB Draft, and in a week the Cardinals have a chance for a transformative selection that could come define their next era.
A confluence of events meet them at the MLB Draft in Atlanta on Sunday as they hold the No. 5 pick a year after taking J.J. Wetherholt at No. 7, they are deep into a transition year with a new front office leader poised to take over, and they are certain to have access to one of the top three college pitchers available in this draft.
To capture and explore this moment in Cardinals' draft history, Baseball America editor in chief J.J. Cooper joins the Best Podcast in Baseball. With 51黑料 baseball writer Derrick Goold, Cooper discusses the scope of talent available in the 2025 draft, trends that suggest where the Cardinals will look, and the upside of the talent likely available to them at No. 5. Matt Holliday's son, Ethan, is not expected to get past the Colorado Rockies at No. 4. If he does get to No. 5, the Cardinals are poised to select him. If not, there will be a high-ceiling high school infielder available, an established college shortstop available, or at least one of the three top college lefties.
Cooper and Goold discuss how the choice could reveal the Cardinals' view of their ability to contend. Florida State lefty Jamie Arnold would be a pick that reaches the majors within 12 months as more and more early picks are doing. Oklahoma high schooler Eli Willits, Reggie's son, would be a longer-term pick who might impact the Cardinals most as they enter the 2030s.
Baseball America will flood the zone with coverage from the MLB Draft that begins in primetime Sunday night from Atlanta and concludes Monday. Follow Baseball America on YouTube for recent conversations about sleeper prospects in the minors, including Cardinals' Class AA starter Ixan Henderson.
The Post-Dispatch will be present at the draft to bring coverage of the Cardinals' first pick and then coverage throughout the week from the All-Star Game festivities at Atlanta's Truist Park.
In its 13th season as one of the go-to podcasts on Cardinals baseball, the Best Podcast in Baseball is sponsored by Closets by Design of 51黑料. It is a production of the 51黑料, , and Derrick Goold.
51黑料
Cardinals starter Andre Pallante has not been as effective as many had hoped so far this season, but a recent uptick in performance is providing new optimism that he may yet be on the right track.
Pallante takes the hill Wednesday as the Cardinals continue a series against the Nationals at 6:45 p.m. at Busch Stadium.
Pallante, with a 2.22 ERA in his last five starts, has shaved nearly a run off his ERA, which was nearing five in early June.
Over the past month, the right-hander Pallante (5-4, 4.10 ERA overall)聽has the team's best ERA among starters and is the team's second most valuable starter by Fangraphs wins above replacement in that span.
Opponents are hitting just .214 against him in his last five starts, and he has only allowed four barrelled balls in that time while keeping foes on the ground at a 65.1% rate.
In four of his last five starts, Pallante has gotten groundballs about 70% of the time, a key factor to his success.
Adjustments to his arsenal have been minor. He threw an equal percentage of breaking pitches as fastballs for the first time this season in his second-to-last start.聽In some starts earlier this season, two-thirds of Pallante's offerings were fastballs.
Washington, on paper, would seem to be a good matchup for Pallante. Entering the series, the Nationals had hit the most groundballs in baseball while hitting them for the lowest average (.218).
He'll need to be at his best as the Nationals send out聽left-hander and All-Star MacKenzie Gore (3-8, 3.11 ERA). Gore allowed four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings vs. 51黑料 earlier this year. His slider is one of the best in baseball.
The Cardinals have lost five of their last seven games started by left-handed opposing pitchers.
51黑料 has baseball's worst batting average against lefties since June 20 (.173). That's when Ivan Herrera, with a 1.189 OPS against left-handers, was placed on the injured list.
Nolan Arenado, who has been dealing with various injuries, is in the lineup Wednesday for just the second time since the start of the month. He'll bat fifth and play third base.
The Cardinals are 49-43, third in the National League Central and 5 1/2 games behind the division-leading Cubs.
The Nationals are 37-54, last in the National League East.
How to watch Cardinals vs. Nationals
When:聽6:45 p.m. Wednesday
Where:聽Busch Stadium in 51黑料
TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (); KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the as well as .
Nolan Arenado, 3B (swollen right hand, sprained finger, shoulder impingement):聽Arenado, between a sprained finger then a shoulder impingement, has played in just one game in the month of July.聽The veteran third baseman said he felt 鈥渄rastically鈥 better Tuesday than he did during the Cardinals鈥 off day on Monday, but he remained out of the lineup. Manager Oliver Marmol聽said he would be 鈥渟urprised鈥 if Arenado does not return to the lineup on Wednesday.聽Updated July 8
Jordan Walker, OF (appendicitis):聽A wrist injury that also limited his playing time in June is part of the reason the Cardinals expect Walker to remain on his rehab assignment for a longer stretch than just proving his health.聽When Walker could be activated and rejoin the Cardinals is unclear as he continues to work on his timing at the plate and adjustments to his stance.聽Updated July 8
Willson Contreras, 1B (bruised left hand):聽Back in the lineup Friday at Wrigley Field as expected after missing Wednesday's game due to a bruised hand. Contreras was struck on the hand by a pitch Tuesday and unable to finish that game due to stiffness and pain. X-rays taken at the ballpark did not show any fractures. Updated July 4
Ivan Herrera, C/DH (left hamstring strain):聽Herrera expects to begin a rehab assignment later this week. He could join Triple-A Memphis by Thursday or Friday, he said Tuesday. Herrera聽said he has felt fine running the bases and squatting. That timeline puts him in track to return after the All-Star break.聽Updated July 8
Zack Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain):聽Lefty starter has begun a throwing program designed to strengthen his arm after a long stretch without much activity. The shoulder has responded well and Thompson has felt progress with this program, which had to be restarted because his recovery stalled in May. There is no timetable for his return to the mound.聽Updated June 19
Here鈥檚 how the Cardinals came away with win amid 鈥榳eird circumstance鈥 of 139-minute delay
Cardinals relief pitcher Steven Matz throws on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in the fifth inning of a game against the Nationals at Busch Stadium.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
While rain continued to fall over Busch Stadium late Tuesday afternoon and into the evening hours, there was some thought inside the Cardinals clubhouse that their series opener against the Nationals would not be played that day.
The waiting game left some position players in a spot where they 鈥渨eren鈥檛 getting hot鈥 before it became clear the game was going to be played, requiring them to 鈥渞amp up鈥 ahead of first pitch. For starter Sonny Gray, he said he slowed down and intensified his pregame activity at least three times during a 139-minute delay.
Despite the 鈥渨eird circumstance鈥 caused by the inclement weather, the Cardinals (49-43) provided a response to the lengthy wait and the early hole they were in against Washington. Their answer to the adversity began with a three-run bottom of the third inning highlighted by a game-tying homer from All-Star second baseman Brendan Donovan. It was followed by shutdown outings from the bullpen after Gray鈥檚 exit following five innings in a 4-2 win over Washington.
鈥淟ike I said, a weird day,鈥 Gray said after the Cardinals beat the Nationals in two hours and 21 minutes following a 9:04 p.m. first pitch. 鈥淚t was a nice win. But for us, we won the game tonight when I gave it up in third (inning), and we immediately responded. ... When we responded, you knew that was it for us.鈥
Trailing 2-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning, the Cardinals received a jump-start to their half of the frame when Victor Scott II hit a leadoff ground-rule double to right field. One pitch later, Donovan belted his game-tying homer on the first pitch he saw. Six pitches after Nationals starter Jake Irvin allowed Donovan to homer, Alec Burleson gave the Cardinals a lead with an RBI double into the right field corner that scored Masyn Winn from first base after Winn singled.
鈥淲hen we鈥檙e at our best, I think we鈥檙e having just really competitive at-bats,鈥 Donovan said. 鈥淎nd I think that鈥檚 where the pressure goes on them. Try to grind that guy down and get him out of there early, and then try to scratch a few. I think that鈥檚 just what this group tries to do every day.鈥
To help kick off their final homestand before the All-Star break with a win, the Cardinals received scoreless one-inning relief outings from each of Steven Matz, Phil Maton and JoJo Romero.
The bullpen鈥檚 effort to protect a one-run lead that turned into two runs when Lars Nootbaar homered in the sixth inning was bookended by closer Ryan Helsley鈥檚 18th save of the year.
鈥淲e weren鈥檛 sure if we were getting this one in,鈥 Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. 鈥淭he guys stayed ready. It was good to answer back immediately after those two (runs). Our (bullpen), the way we used them before the (Monday) off-day, we had to use the guys we used today, and we wanted to make sure we had the lead, so it鈥檚 good to get that three spot after they scored two. It was good to take this one.鈥
Gray was on turn to start Wednesday ahead of Andre Pallante before the Cardinals adjusted their rotation Monday. Gray (9-3) completed five innings and struck out six batters on a season-low 70 pitches before Matz replaced him in the sixth. Gray collected two strikeouts in his first two innings before singles by CJ Abrams and All-Star James Wood, a walk to Jacob Young and a force-out from Luis Garcia Jr. added up two runs in the third inning.
Working with dips in his velocity and a sweeper that got four whiffs and a ground ball that led to an inning-ending double play in the fourth, Gray said he 鈥渃learly didn鈥檛 have my best stuff or anything close to it tonight after the long delay.鈥
The right-hander鈥檚 70 pitches were his fewest in a game since he threw 64 during a start vs. Philadelphia last season. Following his fifth inning of work for an outing that required a lengthy wait, Gray told Marmol he had given all he could.
鈥淚鈥檓 done. I have nothing. I just don鈥檛 have anything,鈥 Gray said of his in-game conversation with Marmol.
With their high-leverage arms rested following a day-off on Monday and an 11-0 loss to the Cubs on Sunday, the three Cardinals relievers who recorded a hold in the series-opening win combined to keep Nationals hitters to two hits and one walk from the sixth inning through the eighth.
Matz capped his lone inning with a double play on a ground ball from Brady House. To build off Maton鈥檚 1-2-3 inning, Romero worked around a leadoff single by striking out Wood, getting Amed Rosario to line out and freezing Nathaniel Lowe on a 3-2 slider to end an eight-pitch encounter that began with Romero behind in a 2-0 count.
鈥淲e knew Sonny would be a little shorter today just based on the delay and everything that goes into today,鈥 Marmol said. 鈥... For (Matz) to be able to go out there and get his lane, and then it set up Maton, (Romero) and (Helsley) to get theirs was important. But they all did a really nice job.鈥
Photos: 51黑料 Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 4-2 in first of three
51黑料 Cardinals batter Lars Nootbaar is congratulated by teammate Pedro Pages on Tuesday July 8, 2025, after hitting a home run the sixth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Cardinals pitcher JoJo Romero throws on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the eighth inning of a game against the Nationals at Busch Stadium.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Brendan Donovan is congratulated by teammate Victor Scott II on Tuesday July 8, 2025, after hitting a two-run homer in the third inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray throws on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the fourth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Cardinals relief pitcher Steven Matz throws on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in the fifth inning of a game against the Nationals at Busch Stadium.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Lars Nootbaar rounds the bases as Washington Nationals pitcher Jake Irvin and infielder Brady House recover on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the sixth inning of a game at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray leaves the field after finishing the top of the fifth inning on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Brendan Donovan rounds the bases on Tuesday July 8, 2025, after hitting a two-run homer in the third inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Brendan Donovan is congratulated by teammate Victor Scott II on Tuesday July 8, 2025, after hitting a two-run homer in the third inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
St Louis Cardinals infielder Thomas Saggese makes a tag Washington Nationals runner James Wood on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the third inning of a game at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
St Louis Cardinals infielder Thomas Saggese fields a ground ball on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray throws on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the first inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Washington Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo greets umpires on Tuesday July 8, 2025, at the lineup exchange before a game against the 51黑料 Cardinals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
St Louis Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray throws on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals infielder Thomas Saggese lets a ground ball get by on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals infielder Thomas Saggese fields a ground ball on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Nolan Gorman returns to the dugout after striking out on Tuesday July 8, 2025, as Washington Nationals catcher Riley Adams throws away at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley watches a ball hit high on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the ninth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II pulls in a ball hit high on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the ninth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals Brendan Donovan and teammated Nolan Gorman celebrate a 4-2 win on Tuesday July 8, 2025, against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals Brendan Donovan and Lars Nootbaar celebrate a 4-2 win on Tuesday July 8, 2025, against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Gateway Arch backers finalize deal to buy Millennium Hotel. They paid $7.5M, records show.
The vacant, former Millennium Hotel and Gateway Arch are seen reflected in a downtown 51黑料 fountain in September 2023.
Laurie Skrivan, Post-Dispatch
ST. LOUIS聽鈥 The Gateway Arch Park Foundation has closed on its acquisition of the long-shuttered Millennium Hotel, clearing one of the first hurdles toward the downtown property鈥檚 potential redevelopment.聽
The foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of the Arch grounds, paid $7.5 million, real estate records show. The organization used its own funds to acquire it.聽
The hotel is one of a handful of prominent, vacant buildings in downtown鈥檚 central business district that civic and business leaders believe hinder the city鈥檚 progress.
It occupies prime real estate one block south of the Arch grounds near the riverfront, an area many consider to be the front door to the region. Officials are hoping to transform the site with new housing, office space, an amphitheater, a food hall and other amenities, and are working with the developer behind Ballpark Village on the $670 million project.
On Wednesday, officials praised the closing of the foundation鈥檚 purchase as a symbolic step toward a new future.聽聽
鈥淭oday is truly a day of hope for our downtown and for 51黑料,鈥 Mayor Cara Spencer said at a press conference at Ballpark Village.聽
The former Millennium Hotel, which has been closed for a decade, is reflected in a pond on the Gateway Arch grounds on Friday, March 22, 2024.
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
It will be several years before the city鈥檚 new skyline is built: The Arch foundation and its development partner, The Cordish Cos., are waiting on the state of Missouri to approve its environmental remediation plan as well as their request for Brownfield tax credits to help fund it. Ryan McClure, the foundation鈥檚 executive director, said the remediation and demolition will take 18 months to two years to complete.聽
鈥淭his is an important moment for our city,鈥 McClure said.聽鈥淲e have to get it right.鈥
Once 51黑料鈥 largest hotel with nearly 800 rooms, the Millennium was known for its cylindrical tower and rotating, top-floor restaurant. It opened in 1969 as Stouffer鈥檚 Riverfront and later carried the Clarion and Regal Riverfront names.
Its last owner, Singapore-based real estate corporation City Developments Ltd., shuttered the hotel in 2014 and briefly flirted with a possible renovation.聽
But 51黑料 officials became impatient with the company, which had no immediate plans to reopen the hotel and which reportedly stopped communicating with officials in recent years. Last year, Spencer, who was then the alderwoman for the neighborhood, urged the city鈥檚 economic development agency to use eminent domain against the owner to push for a redevelopment.聽
Instead, City Developments listed the property for sale. Wednesday鈥檚 announcement comes nearly a year after the Arch foundation publicly disclosed its interest in buying the hotel.聽
鈥淔or the first time in 26 years, this site is locally owned and 51黑料 will have a role in its future,鈥 McClure said.
Earlier this year, the foundation selected The Cordish Cos. to redevelop the hotel site in conjunction with city officials, the region鈥檚 business lobby and independent experts.聽
鈥淲ith this project we鈥檙e going to exemplify a new set of priorities for our region,鈥 Dustin Allison, the interim CEO of Greater 51黑料 Inc., said. 鈥淧riorities focused on growth, priorities聽on people, on our future and on reclaiming our place as the best damn city in America with the best damn downtown in America.鈥
颁辞谤诲颈蝉丑鈥檚 plans call for a 41-story luxury apartment tower, 283,000 square feet of prime office space and retail shops, a parking garage, cultural and outdoor space.
Exactly how the project will be financed is still in the works, though Cordish said private money will be used in addition to the potential to receive聽a $72 million tax break聽from the city for the project.聽
The 51黑料 Board of Education, citing the expected aldermanic action, went on record Tuesday night to oppose the proposed incentives for the project. Board member Ben Conover said the forgone property tax revenues to 51黑料 Public Schools would total about $62 million over 20 years.
鈥淲e鈥檙e getting absolutely screwed by proposals like this,鈥 he said.
The school board鈥檚 vote was unanimous.
The president of the Board of Aldermen, Megan Green, said Wednesday that her and Alderman Rasheen Aldridge will work with school officials on finding a solution that 鈥渨orks for everyone.鈥 Aldridge is sponsoring the bill for the tax incentives.聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 not a zero-sum game,鈥 Green said. 鈥淲e can do development and also support our kids and SLPS.鈥
The lobby of the Millennium Hotel, which has been vacant since 2014. Gateway Arch Park Foundation has closed on its acquisition of the Millennium Hotel in downtown 51黑料.
Courtesy of Gateway Arch Park Foundation
The basement of the Millennium Hotel, which has been vacant since 2014. Gateway Arch Park Foundation has closed on its acquisition of the Millennium Hotel in downtown 51黑料.
Courtesy of Gateway Arch Park Foundation
The Cordish Cos., the company that developed Ballpark Village, is proposing to demolish the Millennium Hotel for new housing, office, entertainment and other amenities in downtown 51黑料 as depicted in this digital rendering.聽
Courtesy of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation
The Cordish Cos., the company that developed Ballpark Village, is proposing to demolish the Millennium Hotel for new housing, office, entertainment and other amenities in downtown 51黑料 as depicted in this digital rendering.
Courtesy of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation
The Cordish Cos., the company that developed Ballpark Village, is proposing to demolish the Millennium Hotel for new housing, office, entertainment and other amenities in downtown 51黑料 as depicted in this digital rendering.
Courtesy of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation
The Cordish Cos., the company that developed Ballpark Village, is proposing to demolish the Millennium Hotel for new housing, office, entertainment and other amenities in downtown 51黑料 as depicted in this digital rendering.聽
Courtesy of The Gateway Arch Park Foundation
The lobby of the Millennium Hotel, which has been vacant since 2014. Gateway Arch Park Foundation has closed on its acquisition of the Millennium Hotel in downtown 51黑料.
Courtesy of Gateway Arch Park Foundation
The lobby of the Millennium Hotel, which has been vacant since 2014. Gateway Arch Park Foundation has closed on its acquisition of the Millennium Hotel in downtown 51黑料.
Courtesy of Gateway Arch Park Foundation
The lobby of the Millennium Hotel, which has been vacant since 2014. Gateway Arch Park Foundation has closed on its acquisition of the Millennium Hotel in downtown 51黑料.
Courtesy of Gateway Arch Park Foundation
The basement of the Millennium Hotel, which has been vacant since 2014. Gateway Arch Park Foundation has closed on its acquisition of the Millennium Hotel in downtown 51黑料.
Courtesy of Gateway Arch Park Foundation
While steady in relief, JoJo Romero says body is 'best I've felt' in years: Cardinals Extra
Aside from the results he鈥檚 delivered when he鈥檚 taken the mound for the Cardinals through the first half of this season, the feeling reliever JoJo Romero described as the regular season nears the All-Star break goes beyond the box score.
The feeling is one he has to go back a few years to compare it to.
鈥淭his is the best I鈥檝e felt probably since before (Tommy John surgery) in (2021),鈥 Romero said.
鈥淛ust body-wise. Recovery. Everything has been really good,鈥 Romero added pregame Wednesday. 鈥(I鈥檓) bouncing back really good. That鈥檚 kind of the one things I pride myself on is making sure I鈥檓 available every day. Being able to have that to where I鈥檓 ready every day, on top of, I鈥檓 going to tell myself mentally I鈥檓 ready every day but also feeling it. Feeling ready every day, I think that鈥檚 been the biggest thing.鈥
Through 34 games in his third full season after the Cardinal acquired him via trade in 2022, the left-hander has posted a 2.60 ERA in 27 2/3 innings and secured 13 holds 鈥 that latter of which ranks second for Cardinals relievers behind Phil Maton鈥檚 18. Twelve of Romero鈥檚 13 holds have come in his previous 23 games 鈥 a stretch that includes a 0.47 ERA over 19 innings and an uptick in his velocity.
Romero continued his effective stretch that began near the end of April with a scoreless eighth inning on Tuesday against the Nationals. The 28-year-old lefty worked around a leadoff single by CJ Abrams and notched strikeouts of All-Star James Wood and Nathaniel Lowe to set up closer Ryan Helsley for a save and aid the Cardinals to a 4-2 win over Washington at Busch Stadium.
When pitching on back-to-back days, which he鈥檚 done on six occasions this year, Romero has a 1.93 ERA.
The sub-0.50 ERA since April 27 by Romero comes after he allowed eight runs (seven earned) in his first 8 2/3 innings to begin the season. During that stretch, Romero鈥檚 sinker, his primary pitch, averaged 92.8 mph and peaked at 94.5 mph, per Statcast. Work in the weight room and an adjustment in mechanics have played role in allowing Romero to get his sinker up to an average velocity of 94.3 mph and allowed him to rev it up to 96 mph in 23 games since his ERA reached a season-high 7.27 on April 23.
So too has a better feeling in his body after dealing with some knee pain in past seasons.
鈥淭he last couple of years, I鈥檝e had little flare-ups in my knee here and there, and I just kind of hadn鈥檛 really felt like I had my legs underneath me,鈥 Romero said. 鈥淚 got used to throwing with that for the last two seasons.鈥
Entering spring training as a key late-inning piece to the Cardinals bullpen, Romero said he 鈥渆verything felt really good鈥 as he went built up this spring and did not allow a run in nine innings. But once the regular season began, Romero felt like he had to retrain his body, notably his lower half, 鈥渢o move as one again鈥 as he looked to regain the velocity that evaded him and the consistency he looked to provide in relief.
鈥淚 knew it was going to be there,鈥 Romero said. 鈥淚 think it was just a matter of finding out or figuring out what the little inefficiencies were and then addressing those, which we did.鈥
Wetherholt makes loud Class AAA debut
Top Cardinals prospect JJ Wetherholt started at shortstop and batted second for Memphis in his Class AAA debut on Wednesday at AutoZone Park. He didn鈥檛 wait long to make his introduction at the new level.
After flying out in his first at-bat, the 22-year-old infield prospect tripled on a line drive to right field in his second at-bat and hit a 424-foot homer to center field in his third trip to the plate as the Redbirds鈥 No. 2 hitter. The home run by Wetherholt had a 104 mph exit velocity, per Statcast.
The Class AAA debut for Wetherholt, who skipped Class Low-A, comes after he batted .300 and had an .891 on-base plus slugging percentage in 62 games for Class AA Springfield (Missouri) and less than a year after he was selected by the Cardinals with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft.
Extra bases
Nolan Arenado returned to the Cardinals lineup with a start at third base on Wednesday vs. the Nationals. While dealing with a right shoulder impingement, Arenado, who batted fifth Wednesday, was scratched late from a Saturday start in Chicago. He was absent for his club鈥檚 series finale vs. the Cubs on Sunday and in their series opener vs. the Nationals on Tuesday.
The Cardinals have Matthew Liberatore listed as their probable starter for Friday鈥檚 series opener vs. the Braves. Marmol did not name a starter for Saturday, which would be Erick Fedde鈥檚 next turn in the rotation.
Sonny Gray鈥檚 winning decision improved him to 9-3 on the year, tying him for second in the National League and marking the fourth time in his 13-year career he earned nine wins before the All-Star break. His nine wins make him the first Cardinals pitchers since Adam Wainwright (12 wins in 2014) and Lance Lynn (10 wins in 2014) to earn nine or more wins before the break.
51黑料 Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II speaks with the media on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, after a series-opening win over the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料. (Video by Ethan Erickson, Post-Dispatch)
Sonny Gray threw for fewer innings than normal but the 51黑料 Cardinals edged the Washington Nationals 4-2 in their return to Busch Stadium…
Cardinals鈥 jolting third inning, bullpen help secure win vs. Nationals after lengthy delay
After inclement weather on Tuesday pushed the start of their series opener vs. the Nationals back by two hours and 19 minutes, the Cardinals鈥 responded quickly to an early deficit vs. Washington and had their bullpen hold tight in their return to Busch Stadium following a three-city road trip.
Down 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning after Washington received two runs in the top half of the frame on RBIs from All-Star James Wood and Luis Garcia Jr., the Cardinals received a response from their All-Star.
Brendan Donovan, the Cardinals lone 2025 All-Star representative when rosters for the Midsummer Classic were announced on Sunday, pulled a two-run homer to right field to tie the game. Later in the inning following Masyn Winn鈥檚 single, Alec Burleson drove in a run on double the gave the Cardinals the lead they needed to come away with a 4-2 win at Busch Stadium.
Slotted in as Tuesday鈥檚 starter following a rotation shuffle, Cardinals right-hander Sonny Gray allowed two runs and struck out six batters in his start vs. the Nationals. He was removed from his outing after five innings and 70 pitches 鈥 45 of which were strikes. The outing was Gray鈥檚 shortest since he completed five innings on June 21 vs. the Reds. His 70 pitches against Washington were his fewest in an outing this season.
The Cardinals (49-43) received scoreless relief outings from Steven Matz (one inning), Phil Maton (one inning), and an additional run on a solo home run from Lars Nootbaar to help them in the series opener.
JoJo Romero (one inning) notched his 13th hold of the year with a scoreless eight inning and Ryan Helsley used 20 pitches as he worked around a single and a walk to secure his 18th save in 23 attempts this season.
Got to the sweeper
Pitching with a one-run lead after RBI hits from Donovan and Burleson put the Cardinals ahead, Gray kept the Nationals scoreless through his final two innings. The righty鈥檚 sweeper proved to be a weapon in both of his final two frames.
When Washington put runners on first and third base with one out in the fourth inning, Gray used the sweeper to induce an inning-ending double play on a ground ball from Riley Adams.
An inning later, Gray used his sweeper to finish at-bats against Jacob Young and the first-time All-Star Wood.
Gray had a fastball called for a ball to begin his encounter with Young but got ahead with a called strikes on a fastball and a sinker. A sweeper that got Young to chase low-and-away secured Gray鈥檚 fifth strikeout of the night.
To cap a six-pitch at-bat that reached a 2-2 count because of an automatic ball on a pitch timer violation by Gray, the righty got Wood to whiff at a sweeper below the strike zone for his second strikeout of Wood and his sixth of the night.
On the night, Gray鈥檚 sweeper had a 44% whiff rate and was responsible for four of the eight swings and misses he got from Nationals hitters.
Answering back in the 3rd
Behind by two runs in the bottom half of the third inning after RBIs from Wood and Garcia put the Cardinals down 2-0, jolts from Victor Scott II and Donovan closed the gap and opened what became a three-run inning.
Scott kicked off the inning with a ground-rule double that hopped over the outfield wall in right field and Donovan wasted little time to bring him in to score. On the first pitch he saw from Irvin, the All-Star second baseman lifted a fly ball to right field for a two-run homer that marked his eighth of the season.
The double and homer were two of three extra-base hits produced in the frame.
With Winn standing on first base after he flared a single to right field following Donovan鈥檚 homer, Burleson鈥檚 ground ball skipped past first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and bounced into the right field corner for a double that scored Winn and gave the Cardinals a 3-2 lead.
Bullpen holds tight
In the collective effort from Matz, Maton, and Romero, the trio of Cardinals reliever that bridged to Helsley kept the Nationals to two hits and one walk.
Brought in at the start of the sixth inning, Matz surrendered a leadoff single to Garcia that was followed by a force out on a ground ball by Lowe.
A walk to Josh Bell on nine pitches after Matz had the switch-hitter in a 1-2 count gave the Nationals multiple runners on base as they trailed by a run. But Matz鈥檚 ability to induce a double play on a ground ball by House ended the threat.
Following Maton鈥檚 1-2-3 seventh inning that earned him his 18th hold, Romero allowed a leadoff single to CJ Abrams to behind the eighth.
Strikeouts of Wood and Lowe plus a lineout from Amed Rosario got the lefty out of the inning and lowered his ERA to 2.60.聽
Photos: 51黑料 Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 4-2 in first of three
51黑料 Cardinals batter Lars Nootbaar is congratulated by teammate Pedro Pages on Tuesday July 8, 2025, after hitting a home run the sixth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Cardinals pitcher JoJo Romero throws on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the eighth inning of a game against the Nationals at Busch Stadium.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Brendan Donovan is congratulated by teammate Victor Scott II on Tuesday July 8, 2025, after hitting a two-run homer in the third inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray throws on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the fourth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Cardinals relief pitcher Steven Matz throws on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in the fifth inning of a game against the Nationals at Busch Stadium.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Lars Nootbaar rounds the bases as Washington Nationals pitcher Jake Irvin and infielder Brady House recover on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the sixth inning of a game at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray leaves the field after finishing the top of the fifth inning on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Brendan Donovan rounds the bases on Tuesday July 8, 2025, after hitting a two-run homer in the third inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Brendan Donovan is congratulated by teammate Victor Scott II on Tuesday July 8, 2025, after hitting a two-run homer in the third inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
St Louis Cardinals infielder Thomas Saggese makes a tag Washington Nationals runner James Wood on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the third inning of a game at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
St Louis Cardinals infielder Thomas Saggese fields a ground ball on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray throws on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the first inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Washington Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo greets umpires on Tuesday July 8, 2025, at the lineup exchange before a game against the 51黑料 Cardinals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
St Louis Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray throws on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals infielder Thomas Saggese lets a ground ball get by on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals infielder Thomas Saggese fields a ground ball on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Nolan Gorman returns to the dugout after striking out on Tuesday July 8, 2025, as Washington Nationals catcher Riley Adams throws away at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley watches a ball hit high on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the ninth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II pulls in a ball hit high on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the ninth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals Brendan Donovan and teammated Nolan Gorman celebrate a 4-2 win on Tuesday July 8, 2025, against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals Brendan Donovan and Lars Nootbaar celebrate a 4-2 win on Tuesday July 8, 2025, against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Dealing with shoulder pain, Nolan Arenado hopeful to return to lineup: Cardinals Extra
As he dealt with a sprained finger during the Cardinals鈥 recent stop in Pittsburgh, third baseman Nolan Arenado feels the different grip he used to swing a bat while on the road 鈥渕aybe played a factor鈥 in the right shoulder impingement that scratched him on Saturday and has kept him day-to-day since.
鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 from throwing, it鈥檚 from hitting,鈥 Arenado said on Tuesday when the Cardinals returned to Busch Stadium. 鈥淭hrowing feels great. I played long toss two days ago on Sunday night, and it felt amazing. Just hitting, kind of going across the body doesn鈥檛 feel great.鈥
Arenado, 34, was absent from the Cardinals鈥 starting lineup on Tuesday in their series opener against the Nationals. The veteran third baseman said he felt 鈥渄rastically鈥 better than he did during the Cardinals鈥 off-day Monday and on Sunday during the Cardinals鈥 series finale vs. the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Before the Cardinals鈥 three-city road trip reached Chicago this past weekend, Arenado was forced to exit the final game in a set of three in Cleveland after spraining the finger. That discomfort forced him to miss the final two games in Pittsburgh.
The 34-year-old described his physical activity as being able to do 鈥渨hatever鈥 based on pain tolerance. Eyeing a return on Wednesday, Arenado said he looked to stay away from playing catch to avoid any setbacks and avoid swinging on Tuesday.
Manager Oliver Marmol said if Arenado had not felt progress, or experienced a setback, with his right shoulder then there would have 鈥減robably鈥 been a conversation around the possibility of placing the third baseman on the injured list. Marmol said he would be 鈥渟urprised鈥 if Arenado does not return to the lineup on Wednesday.
With the Sunday marking the final day before the All-Star break, Arenado said on Tuesday afternoon that he and the team鈥檚 training staff had not gone over the possibility of an IL stint. He said it would be 鈥渋mportant to ... not force anything鈥 with the break looming but added that 鈥渋f I feel good enough, I鈥檓 going to play.鈥
鈥淚 know my body well enough to let them know, and I know I trust them, too. We鈥檒l be on the same page,鈥 Arenado said.
Herrera, Walker updates
Catcher/designated hitter Ivan Herrera could begin a rehab assignment later this week following a positive week of progress in his left hamstring. Herrera, who said he could join Class AAA Memphis by Thursday or Friday, said he has felt fine running the bases and squatting.
He expects to begin his rehab assignment as a designated hitter before builds his workload and gets innings at catcher.
The timeline would put him on track to return after the All-Star break.
鈥淚鈥檝e been doing everything,鈥 Herrera said. 鈥淩ight now, I feel really good. Ready to go. Nothing is stopping me from doing any baseball activity.鈥
Though he has felt fine from a health standpoint, right fielder Jordan Walker remained with Class AA Springfield (Missouri) on Tuesday to continue getting game reps to work on his timing at the plate and adjustments with his stance.
The time with Springfield could allow Walker, who went on the IL with appendicitis near the end of June, to build comfort with his stance before returning to major league game action.
When Walker could be activated and rejoin the Cardinals is unclear.
Nats鈥 new manager reflects on Cards time
Near tears as he described the 鈥渞ough 48 hours鈥 before the start of his first series this week as Washington鈥檚 new interim manager, Miguel Cairo said he sought the 鈥渂lessing鈥 of his friend and former Nationals manager Dave Martinez before accepting the job.
Cairo also said he heard from a figure he considers 鈥渓ike a father鈥 鈥 Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, who had Cairo on his Cardinals鈥 teams from 2001-03 and again in 2007 before hiring him later as a coach.
Cairo saw the symmetry of his first game as manager being in 51黑料.
鈥淔rom the beginning, when I started playing over here, (La Russa) always taught me to pay attention to the game,鈥 Cairo said. 鈥淗e asked me questions 鈥 why this happened, what do you think is going to happen? Every little detail. He was already teaching me how to do things. That鈥檚 honestly when I learned to play the game the right way and how to win. (This) is where I learned as a player what it takes to be a winner.鈥
Extra bases
Top prospect JJ Wetherholt is expected to continue receiving playing time at second base and at third base following his promotion to Class AAA Memphis. Wetherholt, 22, has primarily played shortstop since making his professional debut. He played third base and second base while at West Virginia University.
The rotation shuffle the Cardinals announced Monday that lined up Sonny Gray to start Tuesday vs. Washington has Andre Pallante scheduled to start Wednesday and Miles Mikolas in line for Thursday. Starters for Friday and Saturday are listed as 鈥淭BA.鈥 The Cardinals are still working through conversations regarding Saturday, which would be Erick Fedde鈥檚 turn in the rotation.
The Cardinals and Audacy announced Tuesday a multiyear extension of their broadcast partnership, which will KMOX (104.1 FM and 1120 AM) the flagship home of Cardinals baseball. The extension runs through 2030.
Right-handed pitcher Hancel Rincon and infielder Deniel Ortiz were, respectively, named Cardinals minor league pitcher and player of the month for June. Rincon, 23, went 2-1 with a 3.42 ERA and struck out 37 batters across five appearances, four of which came in Class AA and one in Class High-A. Ortiz, 20, batted .333 and posted a 1.005 on-base plus slugging percentage in 21 games for Class Low-A Palm Beach.
Post-Dispatch reporter Derrick Goold contributed to this report.
In today鈥檚 10 AM 鈥淭en Hochman鈥 video, Ben Hochman discusses Cardinals optimism due to the upcoming schedule! Plus, a happy birthday shoutout to Jos茅 Jim茅nez! And as always, Hochman picks a random Cards card out of the hat!
Photos: 51黑料 Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 4-2 in first of three
51黑料 Cardinals batter Lars Nootbaar is congratulated by teammate Pedro Pages on Tuesday July 8, 2025, after hitting a home run the sixth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Cardinals pitcher JoJo Romero throws on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the eighth inning of a game against the Nationals at Busch Stadium.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Brendan Donovan is congratulated by teammate Victor Scott II on Tuesday July 8, 2025, after hitting a two-run homer in the third inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray throws on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the fourth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Cardinals relief pitcher Steven Matz throws on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in the fifth inning of a game against the Nationals at Busch Stadium.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Lars Nootbaar rounds the bases as Washington Nationals pitcher Jake Irvin and infielder Brady House recover on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the sixth inning of a game at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray leaves the field after finishing the top of the fifth inning on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Brendan Donovan rounds the bases on Tuesday July 8, 2025, after hitting a two-run homer in the third inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Brendan Donovan is congratulated by teammate Victor Scott II on Tuesday July 8, 2025, after hitting a two-run homer in the third inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
St Louis Cardinals infielder Thomas Saggese makes a tag Washington Nationals runner James Wood on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the third inning of a game at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
St Louis Cardinals infielder Thomas Saggese fields a ground ball on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray throws on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the first inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Washington Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo greets umpires on Tuesday July 8, 2025, at the lineup exchange before a game against the 51黑料 Cardinals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
St Louis Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray throws on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals infielder Thomas Saggese lets a ground ball get by on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals infielder Thomas Saggese fields a ground ball on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals batter Nolan Gorman returns to the dugout after striking out on Tuesday July 8, 2025, as Washington Nationals catcher Riley Adams throws away at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley watches a ball hit high on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the ninth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II pulls in a ball hit high on Tuesday July 8, 2025, in the ninth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals Brendan Donovan and teammated Nolan Gorman celebrate a 4-2 win on Tuesday July 8, 2025, against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
51黑料 Cardinals Brendan Donovan and Lars Nootbaar celebrate a 4-2 win on Tuesday July 8, 2025, against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium in 51黑料.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Former Cardinals broadcaster Bob Carpenter set for final fling in his hometown: Media Views
Bob Carpenter is in his 20th season in 2025 as a Washington Nationals broadcaster.
Native 51黑料an and former Cardinals broadcaster Bob Carpenter has had many homecomings over the past two decades. But the one he鈥檚 making this week is special, so much so that his sisters were planning to throw him a party.
A retirement party that is, which had been set for Monday night on the Hill 鈥 the evening before he begins what is likely to be his final three work assignments in his home town.
Carpenter, 72, is in his 20th season as the lead television play-by-play voice for the Washington Nationals, who on Tuesday night open a three-game series against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. It almost certainly will be his last trip to town in a working capacity, a city in which he ended up calling games for the team that he was a rabid fan of as a youngster.
He had a very south 51黑料 upbringing as the son of a coal miner who became a welder. Carpenter says family lore has it that his mom told his dad when they were dating, 鈥溾橧鈥檓 not going to marry you until you get out of the coal mines.鈥欌 Carpenter delivered Imo鈥檚 pizzas and worked as a usher at Busch Stadium while in high school (the long-since closed McBride) and college (University of Missouri campuses in 51黑料 and Kansas City). All that contributed to him fulfilling a childhood dream of broadcasting the Cardinals, sometimes on radio but more often on television, across 14 years that included Mark McGwire鈥檚 epic home run record-shattering 1998 season plus the opportunity to work with legendary broadcaster Jack Buck.
Bob Carpenter, left, and Jack Buck call a Cardinals game on Sports Time cable in 1984.
Provided by Bob Carpenter
But it was a run that ended much sooner that Carpenter had hoped.
Carpenter made his Cardinals broadcasting debut with the short-lived Sports Time cable channel in 1984 before he returned to their booth in 1995 and did mostly TV but some radio across the next decade. The team had separate cable and over-the-air television packages, and over time, he migrated to the free-TV side (on KPLR, Channel 11). But as the telecasts were shifting in large part to cable, and KPLR was done after the 2006 season, Carpenter was let out of his contract a year early to accept the full slate of games with the Nationals.
So his last season calling the Cards was 2005, and two decades later, the exit still stings.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a disappointment that I will take into my retirement, and it鈥檚 a disappointment that I鈥檒l probably take to my grave,鈥 Carpenter now says. 鈥淚 always thought 鈥 I always hoped 鈥 that I would be a Cardinals broadcaster, then I got a taste of it and I loved it. I loved every minute of it.鈥
He said many of the details 鈥渁re a blur now鈥 20 years later, but memories of the people he worked with remain vivid.
KPLR (Channel 11) Cardinals announcers for the 2004 season were Bob Carpenter, left, and Ricky Horton.聽
KPLR photo
鈥淚 remember some of those moments at the ballpark, being there with Jack and with Mike (Shannon) and with Al Hrabosky and Ricky Horton 鈥 great, great guys to work with 鈥 and I idolize Jack,鈥 Carpenter said. 鈥淚 was a young announcer and learned a lot from him in my time there. I just always thought that things would work out there. They didn鈥檛.鈥
BC in DC
Losing the job in 51黑料 was far from the end of the line for Carpenter, who was hired the next year, 2006, to broadcast the Nationals on TV. It was an improbable move.
鈥淲ashington, D.C., is probably the last place I ever pictured myself,鈥 Carpenter said. 鈥... It took two years for them to get used to me and for me to get used to them, but ... things worked out pretty well. I鈥檝e had a wonderful time up in D.C.鈥
President Barack Obama joins Washington Nationals broadcasters Bob Carpenter, right, and Rob Dibble, left, in the broadcast booth for the team's 2010 opening-day game against Philadelphia in Washington.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press
He has had a sitting president (Barack Obama) in the booth and has introduced a vice president (Dick Cheney) on the field before the VP threw out a ceremonial first pitch. And he become good friends with the political writer and commentator George Will, a big baseball fan.
鈥淗e and I sit around in the media dining room and talk baseball all the time,鈥 Carpenter said. 鈥淲e have some debate because I grew up a Cardinals fan and he grew up a Cubs fan. It鈥檚 always spirited.鈥
The big stage
While Carpenter now is best known as a local baseball broadcaster, having covered the Rangers, Mets and Twins in addition to the Cardinals and Nationals, he has experienced considerable time in the national spotlight.
Bob Carpenter, left, anchors EPSN's "College GameDay" in 1989 with Beno Cook, center, and Lee Corso.
Provided by Bob Carpenter
He called multiple sports for ESPN from 1988-2005, including baseball, basketball, football, soccer and also a sting as host of 鈥淐ollege GameDay鈥 in 1989 鈥 before that football pregame show became the traveling carnival that it is now. Predating that, he worked for USA Network and says he has done play-by-play on 428 national baseball telecasts, seventh-most of anyone. He even has a couple of soccer World Cups on his r茅sum茅, the planet鈥檚 biggest sporting event, as well as the Masters, the golf showcase event, plus a major tennis tournament, the U.S. Open.
鈥淚 feel real fortunate that the different networks that I鈥檝e worked for (gave me) the chance to do a lot of things,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t kind of dawns on me that growing up in 51黑料 exposed me to a lot of different things. When I was a kid the Blues weren鈥檛 there yet 鈥 I was a teenager when the Blues showed up (in 1967) 鈥 but we had the (NBA鈥檚) Hawks we had the football Cardinals (of the NFL). Obviously, we had the (baseball) Cardinals. I grew up watching a lot of different sports and gaining understanding of sports in 51黑料. 51黑料 University was so great in soccer back then, winning national championships.鈥
Soccer became a major part of Carpenter鈥檚 career early on, which included calling games of the 51黑料 Steamers indoor team that was wildly popular for several years.
鈥淪occer opened up a lot of doors for me in the NASL (North American Soccer League) and opened doors for me with the USA Network then at ESPN,鈥 he said. 鈥淭o be not just a baseball announcer but to do a lot of other really, really interesting things 鈥 I feel very fortunate to have done all those.鈥
The final fling
Carpenter announced at spring training that this would be his final season and is enjoying the journey through his farewell year. He has reduced his schedule in recent seasons, to about 115 contests this year, allowing him to pick which ones to call. He has backloaded that calendar so he鈥檒l have a big presence down the stretch, allowing him to savor his final days on the air before his trademark home run call, 鈥溾楽ee! You! Later!,鈥 applies to his career.
Of course, deciding to call the Nationals鈥 only trip of the season to 51黑料 was an easy call for Carpenter, although the current version of Busch Stadium doesn鈥檛 hold the memories for him compared to those that resonate from the previous two incarnations. His dad took him to his first big league game at Busch I (the former Sportsman鈥檚 Park), and he worked at Busch II as an usher and broadcaster, a place he fondly remembers as 鈥渢hat beautiful arched stadium next door鈥 to the current Busch Stadium. Although I and II are long gone, it still is special for Carpenter to call games in his hometown.
鈥淔rom a personal standpoint it鈥檚 going to be odd knowing that I鈥檓 broadcasting in 51黑料 for the last time,鈥 he said.
There is a possibility that he could do some fill-in or hosting work next season, but the team鈥檚 TV situation is in flux.
鈥淭hey don鈥檛 even know what network they鈥檙e going to be on, so there are some things for them to deal with, but really at this point I have no concrete plans,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to go home (to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he has lived since calling minor-league baseball there in 1976) and play some golf and be a grandpa.鈥
He also will continue his side business, selling . There are separate editions for fans and journalists.
But he鈥檚 not done on the air yet, as there still are more than 2 1/2 months left in the season. However, the time for reflection already has arrived. He reiterated that losing the job in 51黑料 鈥渨ill always be the greatest disappointment of my career,鈥 but landing with the Nationals was a godsend.
鈥淚鈥檝e been blessed by what happened in D.C., and most of my good baseball broadcasting memories will be with the Nationals,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e the only team I ever work for who said, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e our guy, you鈥檙e the full-time guy, take it and run with it.鈥 That was something that I yearned to hear in 51黑料 and a couple other places. For whatever reason, it just never happened.鈥
He has called five no-hitters and broadcast the Nats in their 2019 World Series championship season in addition to all his accomplishments at the national level. So what is his best memory as a broadcaster?
鈥淚t kind of sounds a little trite,鈥 Carpenter said. 鈥淏ut when Stan Musial retired, somebody asked him what his greatest thrill was. He said 鈥 I was 10 years old and for some reason I heard that and I鈥檓 not sure I understood it 鈥 but Stan said, 鈥楶utting on the Cardinal uniform every day I think is my greatest thrill.鈥 So mine has been showing up at the ballpark in D.C. for the last 20 years, knowing that I was the primary guy on TV and that it was a full-time job that the team entrusted to me. ... They gave me that chance and I feel pretty good about the way I did it.鈥
The time is right
Carpenter is in his 42nd season as a big league broadcaster, and with the Nationals鈥 TV future uncertain he decided this was a good time to say goodbye and depart on his own terms.
鈥淚 know in my heart I鈥檓 doing the right thing for my family and I know I鈥檓 doing the right thing for me, but it鈥檚 going to be really, really hard to not be a baseball announcer next year,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 feel gratified that it鈥檚 a decision that I was allowed to make by our ownership. ... I鈥檓 trying to enjoy every single day I get to go to the ballpark because whether your team is winning or losing it鈥檚 a great privilege to be a major-league broadcaster.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to try to stop and smell the roses every day, then there will come a day a couple of months from now when it鈥檒l be the last one. I can鈥檛 even guess what my emotions will be coming out of that last game.鈥
F.P. Santangelo rides around D.C. with Bob Carpenter to learn more about his broadcasting partner off the field.
Post-Dispatch photographers capture hundreds of images each week; here's a glimpse at the week of June 8, 2025. Video edited by Jenna Jones.
Hochman: Cardinals must replace Erick Fedde. He鈥檚 not the only problem as deadline looms.
Cardinals pitcher Erick Fedde (12) sits in the dugout after giving up three runs in the second inning of a game against the Cubs on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
Eli Randolph, Post-Dispatch
While deciding how to begin this column, Erick Fedde walked another batter.
It鈥檚 always rough when one of the good guys gets bad. It used to pain me to rip the likes of Paul DeJong or Tyler O鈥橬eill.
Fedde is a good guy.
But he鈥檚 arguably the worst pitcher at this current time in the National League (although one of his own teammates could also be in the conversation). If the Cardinals are serious about contending for a playoff spot, they鈥檒l pull the plug on Fedde.
Is Fedde the Cards鈥 only problem? Goodness, no. For 51黑料 fans, that nine-game road trip wasn鈥檛 simply a roller-coaster ride but like that one summer when Six Flags made the Screamin鈥 Eagle ride backward.
Their inability to hit left-handed pitching is infuriating for those who watch (though these days, with games on Roku and Apple TV,+ not everyone can). The nation witnessed the abomination that was Sunday鈥檚 game on ESPN. Southpaw Matthew Boyd, albeit an All-Star, carved up the Cardinals with nine strikeouts (in only five innings).
Against lefties, the Cardinals are 19th in baseball in on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS, .665). They鈥檙e eighth-best against righties (.736). You know the deal: The Cards鈥 great right-handed hitter Ivan Herrera is injured. And the sidelined Jordan Walker hits right-handed (though sometimes it looks like he hits without a bat). Herrera could be back before the July 31 trade deadline. But it鈥檚 clear that the Cards need another right-handed bat at the trade deadline, preferably a fellow who is also defensively versatile.
That鈥檚, of course, if they鈥檙e going to be buyers at the trade deadline.
I believe they鈥檒l be able to remain in the playoff hunt by then. Heck, they play six opponents before the deadline, and sans San Diego, the other five are under .500 (the Nationals, Braves, Diamondbacks, Rockies and Marlins). The Cardinals entered Monday a game out of the last wild-card spot and 6 1/2 games out of first in the division.
But again, they need to immediately improve some stuff 鈥 even stuff that had been going well, be it hitting with runners in scoring position or Masyn Winn hitting at all or getting the bullpen rested and rejuvenated (Monday鈥檚 off-day is encouraging). As for the runners in scoring position, the Cardinals are just not a home run-hitting team, so they need to execute those at-bats with hits because they can鈥檛 rely on a homer later.
Now, as I recently wrote, I鈥檓 optimistic that the offense can churn again. But part of that is, simply, availability. Key guys are injured, while others are playing but not at 100%.
But first things first: replace Fedde with Michael McGreevy in the rotation. Fedde is 3-9 with a 4.79 ERA 鈥 and his expected numbers on Statcast assert he鈥檚 even worse. In his past three starts, including Sunday鈥檚 pathetic performance at Wrigley Field, he has allowed 17 runs in just 10 innings, while walking nine and striking out two.
The youngster McGreevy has already been the 鈥渟ixth starter鈥 in the rotation, just basically based in Memphis. He鈥檚 proven he can pitch up here. But yes, if he replaces Fedde and one of the five starters gets hurt, the next-best option might be Ricky Horton out of the radio booth. Alas, John Mozeliak and his staff didn鈥檛 develop much starting pitching depth in recent years.
But the Cards, now 6 1/2 out of first place, can鈥檛 afford to keep Fedde in there. So go with McGreevy and hope it gets you to the trade deadline as buyers or, at least, as 鈥渘ot sellers.鈥
And while winning the division seems more and more daunting 鈥 those Cubbies sure look good, and they鈥檒l only get better with deadline moves 鈥 the Cards are in the wild-card mix, right in there with the Mets, Brewers, Padres, Giants and, I suppose, Reds. This 51黑料 transition season, it seems, still could extend into October.
But as of now, it鈥檚 not about the full schedule; it鈥檚 about the schedule leading up to the trade deadline on July 31.
And that starts with Sonny Gray鈥檚 start Tuesday against the Nationals, a team in disarray 鈥 the manager and general manager were just fired this past weekend. But guess who鈥檚 scheduled to start against the Nats on Thursday?
Miles Mikolas.
One optimistic thing about him: He was getting shellacked so much against the Cubs last Friday, perhaps he was tipping his pitches? If that鈥檚 the case, they could potentially fix that. Even so, Mikolas has been a Fedde-like problem for a bit now. Credit to him bouncing back from the Boston debacle on April 6.
After May 23, his ERA was a respectable 3.51. Since then? Seven starts and a 7.75 ERA in that stretch. Yet the lack of starter depth means Miles will keep pitching. This is not ideal, but he is, if anything, an innings eater 鈥 and, hey, at least he doesn鈥檛 walk guys like Fedde does.
One of these top players will be available to the Cardinals in MLB draft
When the Cardinals are on the clock Sunday during the first round of the 2025 MLB draft, the selection they make with their No. 5 overall pick will mark their highest-drafted player in 27 years.
The last time the Cardinals selected as high as No. 5 came in 1998, when they took J.D. Drew fifth overall. Last July, they selected infielder JJ Wetherholt, their current top prospect (who was promoted to Class AAA on Monday), with the No. 7 pick.
A chance to make a selection fifth overall, a position the Cardinals landed in the draft lottery, will present an opportunity to select one of the top-ranked draft-eligible player in a class that includes high school standouts like shortstop Ethan Holliday, highly rated college lefty starters and college bats led by Oregon State shortstop Aiva Arquette.
With the Cardinals set to make their highest draft pick since 1998, here鈥檚 a look at 10 of this year鈥檚 top draft-eligible players:
Ethan Holliday, SS
The son of Cardinals Hall of Famer Matt and younger brother to Jackson, the Orioles鈥 No. 1 pick in 2022, Ethan is ranked by Baseball America as this year鈥檚 No. 1 draft prospect. The 18-year-old left-handed hitter and Stillwater (Oklahoma) High School product has a 鈥渟mooth and powerful鈥 swing, strong pitch-tracking skills and a 鈥渒nack鈥 for hitting to all fields, his BA scouting report says. Though he tends to swing and miss, his offensive upside ranks among the best in his class. Third base, the corner outfield spots and first base are options for him if he outgrows shortstop.
Seth Hernandez, RHP
The top-ranked prep arm in the class, Hernandez鈥檚 offensive talents would make him a pro prospect as a shortstop, but his pitching provides enough upside for the 19-year-old to be seen as just a pitcher. While at Corona (California) High School, Hernandez showed a four-pitch mix that tops the 2025 class. His fastball reaches 100 mph. He has a low-80s mph change-up that is viewed as his best secondary pitch, per BA. His slider and curveball have above-average potential. Hernandez is committed to Vanderbilt University.
Eli Willits, SS
With an all-around profile that is one of the best in his class, per BA, the 17-year-old Willits is a switch-hitter who can hit the ball on a line to all fields from both sides of the plate. Willits, who attended Fort Cobb-Broxton (Oklahoma) High School, could develop average power and has the tools to be an above-average defender at shortstop. He is committed to the University of Oklahoma.
Kade Anderson, LHP
Coming off a first team all-SEC selection this past season at Louisiana State University, Anderson is rated by BA as the top college arm in the class. Anderson, who will be 21 on draft day, led NCAA Division I baseball in strikeouts (180) and held a 3.18 ERA for the College World Series champions. His fastball ranges from 92 mph to 95 mph and touches 97 mph. His curveball is seen as a plus pitch and goes with his slider and change-up. A plus strike-thrower, Anderson underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2022, when he was still in high school.
Aiva Arquette, SS
The top-ranked collegiate bat in the class, Arquette hit .354 with 19 homers and had a 1.115 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) in 65 games during his lone season at Oregon State University. The 21-year-old increased his walk rate to career-high 12.6% after walking in 7.4% of his plate appearances a season prior at the University of Washington. The combination of above-average bat speed and Arquette鈥檚 strong 6-foot-4 frame gives him plus raw power, though that has come with some swing and miss, according to BA鈥檚 scouting report of the right-handed hitter. Arquette has a plus arm and could stick at shortstop or land at third base.
Jamie Arnold, LHP
Following a strong sophomore season at Florida State University, Arnold held a 2.98 ERA, struck out 119 batters and walked 27 in 84 2/3 innings this past season. Arnold鈥檚 fastball ranges from 92 mph to 95 mph and touches 98 mph, per BA. The depth on his sweeping slider can baffle lefties and righties. The movement profile on his change-up shows the pitch can be better than average. Arnold is seen as a solid strike-thrower.
Kyson Witherspoon, RHP
The former community college transfer sported a 2.65 ERA, striking out 124 batters and walking 23 in 95 innings this past season for the University of Oklahoma. His fastball is one of the hardest in the class as it sits in the 95-to-97 mph range and reaches 99 mph. A mid-80s mph slider with plus potential highlights a secondary that includes a curveball, change-up and a cutter. Witherspoon, 20, cut his walk rate from 11.2% to 5.5% this past season.
Liam Doyle, LHP
Doyle had a 3.20 ERA and 164 strikeouts for the University of Tennessee this past season. He had averaged 15.4 strikeouts per nine innings pitched and a 5.13 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 95 2/3 innings while leading Division I baseball with a 42.6% strikeout rate. Doyle鈥檚 fastball, which was given a 70 grade on a scale of 80 by BA, hovers around 95 mph to 97 mph and touches 100. The 21-year-old鈥檚 splitter highlights a secondary that includes a slider, a change-up and cutter. The splitter has above-average potential, his scouting report says.
Billy Carlson, SS
A teammate of Hernandez鈥檚 at Corona (California) High School, Carlson is viewed as one of the top defenders of his class. His smooth actions, footwork and 鈥渞ocket of an arm鈥 give him Gold Glove potential, per his scouting report. The 18-year-old has strong bat-to-ball skills and the chance to develop average power potential. A two-way prospect who can hit 97 mph on the mound, Carlson is committed to the University of Tennessee.
Joseph Parker, SS
The left-handed-hitting Parker makes a case to be one of the best pure hitters in the draft given his solid bat speed, strength and ability to take pitches. He has the makings to be an above-average hitter with above-average power, per BA. Parker鈥檚 advanced internal clock, above-average arm strength and work ethic could help him stick at shortstop. The Purvis (Mississippi) High School standout is committed to Mississippi State.
In today鈥檚 10 AM 鈥淭en Hochman鈥 video, Ben Hochman discusses Cardinals optimism due to the upcoming schedule! Plus, a happy birthday shoutout to Jos茅 Jim茅nez! And as always, Hochman picks a random Cards card out of the hat!
Top Cardinals prospect JJ Wetherholt is promoted to Class AAA Memphis
Infielder JJ Wetherholt, the Cardinals鈥 top prospect and the club鈥檚 No. 7 pick in last year鈥檚 MLB draft, has been promoted to Class AAA Memphis.
The promotion for Wetherholt, 22, comes after he batted .300 with an .891 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) across 62 games for Class AA Springfield (Missouri), and less than a year after the Cardinals selected him in the first round of the 2024 draft.
In his first full season in the minor leagues after skipping Class High-A, Wetherholt owns a .425 on-base percentage and is slugging .466. He has 14 doubles, seven homers and more walks (44) than strikeouts (40). His strong performance catapulted him to No. 14 on Baseball America鈥檚 latest top 100 prospects list after beginning the year ranked No. 25. It also moved him closer to the major leagues.
Before he heads to Atlanta to represent the Cardinals in the All-Star Futures Game on Saturday, Wetherholt is expected to report to Memphis before the Triple-A Redbirds open a homestand Tuesday at AutoZone Park.
After helping Class Low-A Palm Beach win the Florida State League title last season following his leap to professional baseball, Wetherholt鈥檚 production while playing shortstop, his primary position, and second base helped Springfield clinch a Texas League Playoff spot with a 43-26 record in the first half of the MiLB season.
Wetherholt, a left-handed hitter, posted a .356/.500/.521 slash line through 21 games in June. The strong month highlighted an offensive jolt Wetherholt found after missing over a week in April because of an illness.
Over his last 50 games in Class AA, Wetherholt batted .285, reached base at a .419 clip and slugged .453. His most recent showing at the level was a two-homer, three-RBI performance on Sunday that helped Springfield to a 7-3 win over Northwest Arkansas.
While displaying the 65-grade hit tool given to him by Baseball America, Wetherholt has held a .957 fielding percentage in 309 innings at shortstop and had not committed an error in 140 innings at second base. Though shortstop remains the 22-year-old鈥檚 primary position since his professional debut last summer, the Cardinals have mapped out playing time for him at second base as a way to allow him to develop his range as a middle infielder.
Wetherholt began his first full season in professional baseball as a non-roster invitee to his first big league camp this past spring training, where he had a chance to display his personality and promise to the Cardinals鈥 big league coaching staff.
He received a promotion to Class AA and a leap over Class High-A because the Cardinals wanted to put Wetherholt, a West Virginia University product, in a Texas League environment that could challenge him. He responded to that opportunity by leading his league in on-base percentage and OPS at the time of his promotion. At the start of Monday, Wetherholt鈥檚 1.10 walk-to-strikeout ratio and .425 on-base percentage ranked within the top 15 of minor leaguers with 250 or more plate appearances.
Among hitters in the Cardinals鈥 system with the same minimum amount of plate appearances, the lefty is third in batting average, second in on-base percentage, third in OPS and second in weighted runs created-plus (wRC+) with 150. (A wRC+ of 100 is considered league-average.)
For his minor league career, which began with a .221 average in his first 23 games in Class Low-A, Wetherholt is batting .299 and owns a .864 OPS in 91 games.
A debut Tuesday for Memphis would come less than a full year after Wetherholt鈥檚 name was called as the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft.
In today鈥檚 10 AM 鈥淭en Hochman鈥 video, Ben Hochman discusses Cardinals optimism due to the upcoming schedule! Plus, a happy birthday shoutout to Jos茅 Jim茅nez! And as always, Hochman picks a random Cards card out of the hat!
