Episodes

  • Cards Hub 365: Pallante Starts in Cardinals Spring Training
    Mar 15 2025
    Recap of Cards Hub 365 Podcast – Hosted by Joe Roderick and Hunter Mulholland 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. Key Takeaways from the Podcast: Andre Pallante’s Struggles: Pallante started against the Toronto Blue Jays, pitching five innings while allowing six hits, three runs (two earned), and striking out five. His ERA remains high at 6.92, raising questions about his future role on the team. Michael McGreevy’s Case for the Rotation: McGreevy continues to impress, despite giving up a home run to Juan Soto in a previous start. His solid outings are putting pressure on Pallante, making it increasingly likely that he could earn a rotation spot. Pallante’s Future – Rotation or Bullpen? The discussion centered on whether Pallante would start the season in the bullpen, where he has performed well in the past, or remain stretched out as a depth starter in Triple-A Memphis. With left-hander Matthew Liberatore also serving as a long relief option, the team must determine how many long relievers they want to carry. Bullpen and Rotation Outlook: Ryan Helsley and JoJo Romero both had solid outings in relief. The Cardinals are still evaluating their bullpen structure, including potential roles for Steven Matz and Miles Mikolas. Sonny Gray is set to start against the Marlins, and his workload will be closely monitored as opening day nears. Jordan Walker Returns to Action: After missing a week with a minor knee issue, Walker returned to the lineup, a positive sign for the Cardinals’ outfield plans. His return, however, adds to the competition for playing time between Lars Nootbaar and Alec Burleson, both of whom homered in the game. Crowded Outfield Decisions Looming: With Burleson, Nootbaar, and rookie Victor Scott II vying for playing time, questions remain about Brendan Donovan’s role. The hosts debate whether Donovan will play more outfield or second base, depending on how the lineup shakes out. Other Roster Updates: Riley O’Brien was optioned to Memphis, reducing the number of bullpen candidates. José Barrero’s solid hitting this spring could impact fringe roster players like Matt Koperniak, likely sending him to Triple-A to start the season. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 mins
  • Cards Hub 365: Baseball for Breakfast; Spring Breakout Day
    Mar 14 2025
    Here's a recap of the Cards Hub 365 podcast episode, Baseball for Breakfast: Spring Breakout Day, hosted by Joe Roderick and Ryan Fagan: Key Topics Discussed: Spring Breakout Game & Cardinals Prospects Spring Breakout Weekend: MLB is making an effort to spotlight top prospects to generate excitement for the next generation of stars. Cardinals’ Lineup: Featured Chase Davis, J.J. Weatherholt, Thomas Saggese, Jimmy Crooks, Leonardo Bernal, and Quinn Matthews, among others. Quinn Matthews' Development: Many fans thought he was sent to minor league camp too early, but the Cardinals are focused on his long-term development as a starter. MLB’s Promotion Effort: Heavy marketing by MLB and extensive coverage on MLB.com and MLB Network. General MLB Prospect Talk Top Matchups in the Breakout Games: MLB is aiming to highlight elite prospect duels, such as Thomas White (Marlins) vs. J.J. Weatherholt (Cardinals). Comparison to Last Year’s Event: Last year, Paul Skenes vs. Jackson Holliday was a highlight matchup, and MLB is looking to create similar excitement this year. Pirates' Rotation Potential: Discussion on Bubba Chandler, Paul Skenes, and Jared Jones as a future dominant pitching trio. Baseball & College Basketball Viewing March Madness Excitement: A busy sports day with baseball and college basketball games overlapping. MLB’s Accessibility: Most Spring Breakout games are available for free via the MLB app. Speed in Baseball Fastest Players: Discussion on Chandler Simpson (Rays), Victor Scott II (Cardinals), and Elly De La Cruz (Reds). Speed Leaderboard: Victor Scott ranked 4th in 90-foot sprint speed in MLB last season, just behind Elly De La Cruz. MLB News & Rumors Tampa Bay Rays’ Stadium Situation: The team dropped plans for a new stadium in Tampa, leading to speculation about relocation (Orlando, Nashville, etc.). Yankees’ Pitching Needs: With Gerrit Cole injured, speculation on whether the Cardinals could trade Steven Matz or Erick Fedde. Cardinals' Roster & Opening Day Lineup Speculation Outfield Depth: With Jordan Walker out, the team is experimenting with different outfield combinations. Nolan Gorman’s Role: Whether he will get 600 plate appearances at second base. Predicting the Opening Day Lineup: Uncertainty on who will bat second—Lars Nootbaar or Brendan Donovan? Final Notes Cardinals’ Upcoming Game: Evening game vs. the Mets, featuring Michael McGreevy on the mound. Early MLB Season in Japan: Cubs vs. Dodgers series in Tokyo featuring multiple Japanese stars, including Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Salary Cap Debate: Listener comments debated the need for a salary cap in MLB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins
  • Cardinals Sign Maton, Graceffo Optioned, Solid Day for Matz
    Mar 13 2025
    Key Topics Discussed: Phil Maton Signing: The Cardinals have signed veteran reliever Phil Maton to a one-year, $2 million deal. The hosts discussed how the team pursued him last year but couldn't reach a deal until now. They see Maton as a solid bullpen addition who could either help stabilize the team or become a trade asset if the Cardinals struggle. Bullpen Discussion: With Michael McGreevy and Gordon Graceffo in the mix, the Cardinals' bullpen will likely be a revolving door throughout the season. The potential for trading Ryan Helsley and how bullpen roles could evolve was also analyzed. Gordon Graceffo Optioned: The decision to send Graceffo to Triple-A suggests the team wants to keep him stretched out as a starting pitcher, rather than moving him into a bullpen role early in the season. Cardinals' Offensive Struggles in Spring Training: The team has struggled offensively, ranking among the worst in MLB for spring training scoring. While the hosts acknowledge spring training stats aren't always predictive, they note concerns over whether certain players will rebound. Yvonne Herrera’s Strong Spring: The young catcher has been impressive offensively, which could force the Cardinals to give him significant playing time, even at DH when not catching. Potential Role for Luken Baker: With his strong spring performance, Baker could see time as a right-handed bat off the bench or even get starts at DH against left-handed pitching. Rotation Depth Chart: Brendan speculated that McGreevy might be the Cardinals' sixth starter option, followed by Graceffo, and that Matthew Liberatore may be destined for a bullpen role. Other Discussions: The unpredictability of relief pitchers and how bullpen arms can drastically change effectiveness year to year. The impact of coaching and minor adjustments in pitch grips that can revive a reliever's career. The Cardinals' offensive lineup projections, debating whether key players will improve or struggle. Quick updates on the Blues, Mizzou basketball, and a St. Louis Billikens win. Final Takeaways: While the Maton signing is a low-risk move, the Cardinals' overall bullpen strategy remains a work in progress. The team’s offensive struggles in spring training are concerning, but many key players are expected to bounce back. The competition for playing time at catcher and DH will be worth watching, especially with Herrera’s emergence. The rotation and bullpen depth remain fluid, with young arms expected to get opportunities throughout the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Bats Go Quiet Again in Jupiter
    Mar 12 2025
    Episode Summary: "Solid Pitching but Bats Quiet" Game Recap: The St. Louis Cardinals lost 2-0 in a spring training game against the Mets, with their offense struggling once again. The lineup featured mostly Major League-level players, yet they managed just two hits against pitcher Paul Blackburn, who had an ERA close to five last season. Miles Mikolas delivered a strong performance, pitching five innings and allowing only one run. Concerns About the Offense: Despite the presence of regulars like Jordan Walker, Lars Nootbaar, and Nolan Arenado, the offense was lackluster. This is a concerning trend, given that the season is approaching and the team has a new hitting coach. Schaeffer and Roderick questioned whether the Cardinals can truly improve after an underwhelming offseason with little roster movement. Fan Buy-In & Outlook for the Season: The hosts discussed whether fans will remain engaged if the team starts slowly. The team’s inconsistent offensive performances in spring training have raised doubts about whether they can rebound from last year’s struggles. Betting lines have the Cardinals projected for around 77-78 wins, with Roderick leaning optimistically toward 87 wins but acknowledging the team’s wide variance. Pitching Bright Spot: Tekoah Roby One major highlight was prospect Tekoah Roby’s dominant two-inning outing, where he struck out four batters. The hosts debated whether Roby could contribute at the Major League level this season, either as a reliever or a late-season starter. Looking Ahead: The Cardinals will continue their spring training schedule, including a breakout prospect game on Friday. The hosts emphasized the importance of seeing a full-strength lineup perform better in the final weeks before Opening Day. Overall, while the Cardinals’ pitching looked solid, their offensive struggles remain a major concern as the regular season approaches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • Cards Hub 365: Fedde Falters, Barrero Asserting Himself For Bench Role?
    Mar 11 2025
    Pitching Struggles Continue The hosts discussed the struggles of Cardinals starting pitchers, particularly Eric Fedde and Sonny Gray, both of whom gave up home runs in their latest outings. While some of the struggles could be attributed to pitchers "working on things" during spring training, the concern is that Fedde and Gray are supposed to be the top two starters. The importance of the bullpen was emphasized, as weaker starting pitching could put extra strain on relievers. Center Field Battle Victor Scott II has impressed in spring training and appears to have the inside track for the starting center field job. Lars Nootbaar is also getting a lot of reps in center field, possibly as a backup plan in case Scott struggles. Michael Siani, who was once in the conversation, has had a rough spring (batting .046) and could start the season in AAA. Jose Barrero Making a Case for the Bench Infielder Jose Barrero has performed well in camp and is pushing for a spot on the Opening Day roster. The issue is that he's not currently on the 40-man roster, meaning a roster move would need to be made. His versatility and right-handed bat could make him a valuable piece off the bench. Potential Rotation Adjustments The hosts discussed the idea of using piggyback starts, where two pitchers split a game to maximize innings and limit bullpen stress. Matthew Liberatore and Michael McGreevy were mentioned as potential long-relief or piggyback options. Concerns were raised about velocity dips for pitchers like Andre Pallante, though the hosts were optimistic about his role. Trade Speculation & Season Outlook Some fans are already speculating about potential trades involving pitchers like Fedde or Steven Matz, but the hosts pushed back, noting the Cardinals lack depth. They emphasized the importance of maintaining innings-eating starters rather than moving them for short-term gains. The offense remains a question mark, particularly in terms of consistency from players like Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, and Lars Nootbaar. The final 10 games of spring training will be crucial in setting the tone for the season. Final Thoughts The hosts reminded listeners that spring training is still ongoing, and overreactions aren't helpful. The Cardinals’ coaching staff is closely evaluating players, and final roster decisions will be made soon. The team must find a balance between developing young talent and competing in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Yadier Molina comments on the Cardinals off-season
    Mar 10 2025
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    27 mins
  • Matz goes 4 strong
    Mar 8 2025
    Joe Roderick and Ethan Hannaford come your way with Cards Hub 365, looking at Steven Matz start for the St. Louis Cardinals today, along with other Spring Training storylines, including the battle for centerfield and other Opening Day spots Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Looking at Willson Contreras' Spring
    Mar 7 2025
    Main Topic: Willson Contreras’ Move to First Base The hosts focused on the major offseason decision to transition Willson Contreras from catcher to first base. They highlighted how this change has received little national attention despite its significance. They discussed how Contreras, relieved of catching duties, now has the opportunity to fully focus on his offense, potentially leading to a breakout season. Key Points: Contreras’ Offensive Potential: Without the burden of managing a pitching staff, Contreras could have a more productive offensive year. He has already shown power, with multiple 20+ home run seasons despite limited plate appearances. If he reaches 600+ plate appearances, he could become a 30-35 home run hitter, ranking among the top offensive first basemen in the NL. Adjusting to First Base: The lack of news about his defensive transition is viewed as a positive sign. His experience as a catcher handling low throws and quick reactions may aid in his transition. Spring Training Performance & Outlook: Contreras has been hitting well early in spring training, showing power and efficiency. The Cardinals' success this season could depend on his offensive production. Comparisons were made to other first basemen like Pete Alonso, Matt Olson, and Freddie Freeman. Other Topics Discussed: The importance of Brendan Donovan’s development. The Cardinals’ overall outlook for the season, with playoff hopes dependent on key players stepping up. A discussion on baseball cards, including the Cardinals’ social media post featuring players’ childhood pictures and the resurgence of card collecting. Closing Thoughts: The episode emphasized that if Contreras thrives offensively and his defensive transition goes smoothly, he could be a key factor in the Cardinals’ success. While expectations for the team are tempered, there is optimism that they could compete for a playoff spot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    28 mins