Mike Claiborne and Bob Ramsey discuss the roster construction of the St. Louis Cardinals on Opening Day Eve

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Joe Roderick and Brenden Schaeffer talk about the lineup used in last night's Cardinals game vs the Memphis Redbirds. What does this mean for the season. Plus a conversation about legit expectations and what the NL Central as a whole could look like.

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• The episode closed with a heartfelt tribute to Brian McKenna, a well-known St. Louis radio personality who was tragically killed. Both hosts shared memories of his positivity and impact.

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Matthew Rocchio is joined by Ethan Hannaford to react to a stream of breaking news at Oli Marmol spoke to the media in Jupiter and broke news on:

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The episode focused on the St. Louis Cardinals' split-squad games, highlighting the contrasting performances of Sonny Gray and Michael McGreevy. Gray, named the team's Opening Day starter, continued to struggle, posting an alarming ERA of 12.56 after another rough outing against the Astros. Meanwhile, McGreevy delivered an outstanding performance, pitching five innings of one-hit ball. The hosts speculated about McGreevy’s role, debating whether he would make the Opening Day roster or begin the season in Memphis.

They also discussed position player performances, including Masyn Winn’s struggles at the plate and Victor Scott’s impressive spring, which included his fourth home run. There was speculation about whether Scott could hit leadoff instead of Winn to start the season.

The conversation shifted to the Cardinals’ projected Opening Day lineup and rotation, based on MLB and Sports Hub STL projections. The hosts debated various lineup options, the best leadoff choice, and whether Contreras should bat second. They also touched on the Cardinals' bullpen situation, questioning Phil Maton's availability for the start of the season.

Later in the episode, they reviewed all 30 MLB Opening Day pitching matchups, highlighting exciting duels such as Braves-Padres, Guardians-Royals (Cole Ragans vs. Shane Bieber), and Pirates-Marlins (Paul Skenes vs. Sandy Alcántara). They also discussed Paul Skenes' potential and compared his rapid rise to past phenoms like Stephen Strasburg.

The episode wrapped up with a preview of Sports Hub STL’s upcoming Cardinals coverage, including extensive Opening Day content and predictions for the season.

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Joe Roderick and Matt Rocchio covered key topics as the Cardinals wrapped up their last off day of Spring Training.

Spring Training Roster Battles:

The Six-Man Rotation Debate:

• The idea of a six-man rotation was mentioned earlier but hasn’t been discussed by the team recently.

• Roderick and Rocchio believe it’s unlikely but predict at least six different starters will be used in April.

• McGreevy’s role could be a hybrid one, potentially working as a reliever in some cases, though Rocchio argued against it.

Center Field Controversy:

• The debate between Victor Scott and Michael Siani continues.

• Scott has outperformed Siani offensively, but team decisions seem influenced by larger roster concerns.

• The lineup is complicated by balancing at-bats for Nolan Gorman, Lars Nootbaar, Brendan Donovan, and Alec Burleson.

NL Central Outlook & Cardinals Roster Strength:

• The Cardinals were not ranked among the top 10 pitching staffs in MLB.

• The Cubs’ signing of Kyle Tucker raised concerns about the division’s competitiveness.

• The Brewers consistently develop pitching depth despite losing key starters.

Who’s the Best Basketball Player on the Cardinals?

• A fun debate led to Chris Roycroft (6’8”, former D3 player) being the consensus pick.

• Other notable mentions included Alec Burleson, Michael McGreevy, and Jordan Walker for their athleticism.

The Cardinals have a lot of roster questions still unanswered, especially in pitching and center field. The team seems to have its lineup mostly figured out, with Nootbaar likely starting in center. Meanwhile, concerns remain about pitching depth and the overall competitiveness of the NL Central.

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In the latest episode of Cards Hub 365, hosts Joe Roderick and Brenden Schaeffer discuss the St. Louis Cardinals’ spring training developments as Opening Day approaches. The main topic of conversation centers around outfielder Victor Scott II, who has played his way into the roster conversation with an impressive spring performance.

• Victor Scott’s Case for the Roster

• Scott has showcased unexpected power, hitting three home runs in fewer than 50 plate appearances.

• Despite struggling offensively in 2024, his speed and defensive potential make him an intriguing option.

• The Cardinals face a numbers game—finding a way to fit him into a crowded lineup of 10 deserving everyday players for 9 spots.

• The possibility of Scott serving as a high-impact bench player, using his speed as a late-game weapon, was also discussed.

• Cardinals’ Lineup and Depth Considerations

• The lineup is taking shape, with several players heating up at the right time, including Lars Nootbaar and Wilson Contreras.

• Pitching Staff Outlook

• Steven Matz impressed with a six-inning, one-run performance, fueling optimism about his role in the rotation.

• The hosts predict ERAs for key starters, including Sonny Gray (~3.7), Eric Fedde (~3.4), and Matz (~3.8).

• Concerns remain about Miles Mikolas (potentially around 4.8 ERA) and whether Michael McGreevy can step up if given an opportunity.

• The ability of Cardinals’ starters to consistently pitch deeper into games could significantly impact the bullpen and overall team success.

• Other Key Storylines

• Final Thoughts

• The Cardinals' win total could land anywhere between 80-90, depending on health and whether pitching holds up.

• The team’s depth and flexibility make them better prepared for injuries compared to previous years.

With Opening Day just around the corner, the Cardinals’ final roster decisions will be crucial. Will Victor Scott II make the team? And if he does, how will the Cardinals balance playing time? Stay tuned for more updates from Cards Hub 365!

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In this episode of Cards Hub 365, hosts Joe Roderick and Mike Claiborne discuss the latest developments from the St. Louis Cardinals' spring training.

• Miles Mikolas' Strong Outing

• Mikolas pitched six solid innings, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks. He maintained good control, retiring eight batters in a row at one point. The hosts highlighted that opposing hitters weren't making solid contact, which is a promising sign as the regular season approaches.

• Bullpen Struggles in the Ninth

• The Cardinals' bullpen allowed the Miami Marlins to tie the game in the ninth inning. Zach Weiss, a journeyman pitcher, struggled in his appearance. Claiborne noted that Weiss is unlikely to impact the Cardinals' season.

• Masyn Winn's Wrist Soreness

• Shortstop Masyn Winn was scratched from the lineup due to wrist soreness. The hosts emphasized caution, noting that wrist injuries can be tricky. However, they speculated that it was likely a precautionary move rather than a serious issue.

• Opening Day Roster Battles

• Several players, including Luken Baker, are still fighting for roster spots. With multiple off-days in April, the Cardinals have flexibility in their roster decisions.

• Final Spring Training Stretch

• With just a few games left in spring training, players on the roster bubble are making their last push to secure a spot. Former pitcher Brad Thompson weighed in, explaining that this time is critical for players on the fringe of making the team.

• Upcoming Start for Steven Matz

• Matz has had an impressive spring, showing consistency and efficiency. The hosts will be watching his upcoming start against the Washington Nationals to see if he can continue his strong form.

• Broadcasting and Media Updates

• Claiborne wrapped up the discussion by mentioning his final spring training broadcast, highlighting the importance of listening to radio coverage as some games are not televised.

The Cardinals are nearing the end of spring training with relatively good health, but final roster decisions remain. Mikolas looks ready for the season, while the bullpen still has some question marks. Masyn Winn’s status will be closely monitored as Opening Day approaches.

For more updates, check out Cards Hub 365 on Sports Hub STL.

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In the latest episode of Cards Hub 365, hosts Joe Roderick and Hunter Mulholland discuss the ongoing battle for a spot in the St. Louis Cardinals' starting rotation during spring training. The focus of this episode was on Andre Pallante’s performance as he competes for a role against Michael McGreevy.

The Cardinals defeated the Blue Jays 9-5, though Toronto did not send many of their regulars for the game. Looking ahead, Sonny Gray’s next start will be a key focus as the team prepares for opening day on March 27.

The episode concluded with reminders of upcoming postgame shows for the St. Louis Blues and St. Louis City SC, as well as a special NCAA Tournament selection show the following evening.

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Here's a recap of the Cards Hub 365 podcast episode, Baseball for Breakfast: Spring Breakout Day, hosted by Joe Roderick and Ryan Fagan:

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