What the data shows
The central question surrounding the St. Louis Cardinals as they approach the 2026 season is whether their revamped bullpen strategy will lead to improved performance after three consecutive years of missing the playoffs. The answer appears to be cautiously optimistic, as the team is expected to have a more settled bullpen before the season begins.
Recent reports indicate that the Cardinals are shifting away from relying on traditional closers like Ryan Helsley, opting instead for a matchup-based approach to their relief pitching. This strategy has already shown promise, with JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien combining for 14 of the team’s 16 saves over the last two months of the previous season. O’Brien is anticipated to take on the primary closer role, while Matt Svanson is expected to fill a critical firefighter position in the bullpen.
Supporting this new direction, the Cardinals’ bullpen has ranked 11th in baseball in fWAR over the last three seasons, suggesting a solid foundation upon which to build. However, the effectiveness of this new strategy remains to be seen, particularly as the team navigates the uncertainties surrounding the exact roles of its bullpen pitchers as the season approaches.
Moreover, the Cardinals’ pitching philosophy is evolving, with a focus on developing young talent. As one analyst noted, “It is important for young teams to ‘learn how to win.'” This sentiment underscores the importance of fostering a winning culture within the organization, especially for a team that has struggled in recent years.
Gordon Graceffo, who has had a rocky start in the big leagues with a 6.04 ERA, is one of the pitchers whose role will be closely monitored. In contrast, he posted a more respectable 3.94 ERA in the minors, raising questions about his potential impact on the team moving forward. Additionally, the command issues faced by George Soriano could be pivotal; if he can halve his average walk rate in 2026, he might prove to be a valuable asset for the Cardinals.
As the Cardinals finalize their roster, decisions regarding players like Nelson Velazquez and Matt Pushard could significantly affect the bullpen’s composition. If Velazquez earns a spot on the Opening Day roster due to a strong spring performance, Pushard may find himself on the outside looking in.
On the broadcasting front, the Cardinals have made minimal changes despite shifts in television channels. Fans can still catch games through various cable providers, including Charter/Spectrum and AT&T U-verse, while MLB.TV subscriptions remain available for those outside the Cardinals’ television footprint, priced at $29.99 per month or $149.99 for the season.
As the 2026 season draws nearer, the Cardinals’ strategy and the effectiveness of their bullpen will be under scrutiny. While the team has made strides in reshaping its approach, details remain unconfirmed regarding how these changes will translate into on-field success. The upcoming season will be crucial for the Cardinals as they seek to break their playoff drought and re-establish themselves as contenders in Major League Baseball.
