The St. Louis Cardinals Bullpen has turned from a strength last season to a glaring weakness early in 2025. The bullpen had the seventh-lowest team ERA in Major League Baseball in 2024. So far in 2025, the unit has the sixth highest ERA. Cardinals Manager Oliver Marmol said the team has to be patient as the bullpen works out its struggles.
Remaining Patient Through the Struggles
The Cardinals have made it clear since the end of last season that this year is about giving younger players opportunities. They will continue to do so with many of the players in the bullpen. The one free agency signing they made this offseason was a bullpen addition in Phil Maton. Beyond that, the unit is made up of all internal options.
“This is who we’ve got, and we want to get them back on track,” Marmol said after the Cardinals 4-1 loss over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. “There’s nothing coming from down below where it’s going to change. We have to get these guys better, and the only way is for them to pitch.”
Marmol compared the difference between struggling position players and bullpen ones. He said being patient with bullpen arms often hurts more because struggles in later innings often flip the results of games.
“We treat the bullpen arms different than the position players because when it doesn’t go [the reliever’s] way, the game usually flips, and it hurts,” Marmol told MLB.Com’s John Denton. “So, [the bullpen] is the hardest area to be patient in. If we’re going to be as reactive with these bullpen arms [with possible demotions], why not send some of these position players out?”
Where Are the Biggest Issues?
The Cardinals bullpen has accounted for eight of the team’s 15 losses. They’ve blown six of 12 save opportunities. The most recent loss to the Braves hung on second-year pitcher Ryan Fernandez, who surrendered a three-run home run in the 8th inning that proved to be the difference.
Fernandez’s ERA has ballooned to 11.42 this season. Fernandez had a relatively successful rookie season with a 3.52 ERA and 12 holds. Contrary to Marmol’s stance that the team would remain patient the next day, Fernandez was sent down to Triple-A for right-hander Riley O’Brien.
JoJo Romero was another success of 2024, piling up 30 holds with a 3.36 ERA. His ERA is at 7.27 this season, and he has accounted for three of the bullpen losses. The Cardinals three bullpen arms with the most innings this season, Ryan Helsley, Kyle Leahy, and Maton all have a sub-3.00 ERA. However, the Cardinals are cautious about Maton’s work because he joined the team halfway through Spring Training. The Cardinals need other bullpen arms to show consistency so things can turn around.
Cardinals Offense Needs to Help Bullpen
The team’s close games are part of the problem for the Cardinals. The bullpen isn’t getting many opportunities to pitch in low-leverage situations. On April 11, the Cardinals were third in the League for runs. Two weeks later, they have slid to eighth.
Thirteen of their last 16 games have been decided by three runs or less. The Cardinals have been held to three runs or fewer in eight of those 16 games. The many close and low-scoring games have put much pressure on the Cardinals’ bullpen.
The Cardinals starter’s ERA is 3.79, good for 13th best in the League. The starting rotation isn’t a major problem often with the loss, but the combination of low offensive output and a shaky bullpen has led the Cardinals to their 11-15 record. The Cardinals will work on improving their bullpen’s results and confidence. However, a return to offensive excellence would take a lot of pressure off the unit.
Main Photo Credits: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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