For the Cardinals, the bullpen’s inconsistency has been glaring this season, particularly with the failure to transition games to their back-end pitchers, where the real impact is supposed to occur. While the bullpen began the season with promise, issues quickly started to surface, leaving manager Oliver Marmol with fewer and fewer reliable options.
One of the few bright spots has been Ryan Helsley, who continues to perform as one of the game’s elite closers. Helsley, who is the reigning Trevor Hoffman Award winner as the National League’s best reliever, had a rough outing in Boston but has otherwise been flawless. His ERA remains low, and he has maintained his reputation as a reliable closer. But getting to him has proven to be a challenge, with other key relievers falling into disarray.
The Failures of JoJo Romero and John King
JoJo Romero has had a particularly rough start to the season, with an ERA over seven. He has struggled to find any semblance of consistency, and as a result, has become a liability in a bullpen already teetering on the edge. Romero’s issues are compounded by his inability to generate strikeouts, a vital skill for a reliever. As the lefty struggles with his control, his place in high-leverage situations becomes more uncertain.
John King, another left-hander who plays a key role in relief, has also been ineffective. With an ERA north of six, King has been unable to find consistent results. His sinker, which relies heavily on inducing ground balls, has failed to work in his favor, making him vulnerable to extra-base hits and walks. In the absence of a reliable left-handed arm, the Cardinals have often been left scrambling to fill the gap.
The Struggles of Ryan Fernandez and Roycroft
Ryan Fernandez, who impressed in his rookie season, has found himself in a dramatic slump. His ERA has ballooned above 11, and he has struggled to regain the form that made him an effective Rule 5 pick in 2024. Fernandez, who was excellent last year, has been candid about the struggles with his slider. The pitch lacks the sharp break it had in 2024, and it’s evident from his numbers that he’s having difficulty locating it.
Chris Roycroft’s situation has been equally grim. The right-hander had a promising 2024, but his struggles this season have sent him down to Memphis in an attempt to regain his command. His sinker, which once appeared unhittable, is now leaking and leaving hitters with more chances to make solid contact. Without a turnaround, Roycroft will be hard-pressed to return to his earlier form.
The Effect of Overuse and Injuries
One of the more puzzling elements of this bullpen struggle is the heavy usage of relievers. In a season where the Cardinals are committed to protecting their pitchers from overexertion, the fact that players like King and Leahy have been turned to on three consecutive days speaks volumes about the team’s current bullpen options. The repeated usage of relievers in such a short span could lead to further fatigue and injury, compounding the team’s issues.
Steven Matz, a pitcher who has been shuffled between the bullpen and the starting rotation, has also struggled to find consistency, further exacerbating the bullpen’s woes. His availability has been sporadic, adding to the confusion of how to properly manage the bullpen rotation. This scenario speaks to the ongoing frustrations faced by Marmol, who is finding it difficult to manage a group of pitchers who are underperforming and overused.
The Strain of a Struggling Bullpen on Team Success
When a bullpen falters, it has a ripple effect on the team’s overall performance. With games slipping away late due to ineffective relief, the Cardinals’ ability to win close games has diminished. A bullpen that can’t bridge the gap to an elite closer like Helsley has the potential to doom a team that otherwise remains competitive. The lack of reliable middle relievers is a glaring hole that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
One of the central questions for the Cardinals now is whether the situation is fixable in the short term. Are there options within the organization who can be called upon to stabilize the bullpen, or will Marmol have to turn to external help via trades or signings? At the moment, the team does not seem to have the answers, and the inconsistent performances are leading to growing concern.
The Impact of Big Data on Bullpen Decisions
In recent years, the influence of advanced analytics and Big Data has transformed the way teams approach their bullpen. With teams more likely to rely on matchups and platoon splits, relievers are often cycled in and out to exploit favorable situations. However, the Cardinals’ bullpen has failed to deliver consistent results, and the team’s approach, which may have worked in past seasons, is proving less effective this year.
Big Data has made it clear that bullpens should be treated as a rotating cast of characters, with the understanding that relievers are somewhat disposable. But for a team like the Cardinals, where bullpen depth is critical, the failure to achieve results from even their most experienced pitchers makes the decision-making process much harder for the manager.
The Path Forward: Can the Cardinals Fix Their Bullpen?
As we head deeper into the 2025 season, the Cardinals need to find a way to address their bullpen struggles or risk losing touch with the playoff race. Manager Oliver Marmol is left in a tough spot, with few reliable options available. It remains to be seen if the front office will make a move to bolster the bullpen, but the failure of several key relievers suggests that the organization may need to look outside the current roster for solutions.
The bullpen’s inconsistency has been a major issue for the Cardinals, and it’s clear that the team’s success in the coming months will hinge on their ability to stabilize this critical area of their roster. Whether it’s through internal adjustments or external reinforcements, the Cardinals need their bullpen to step up and provide more than just a few bright spots if they want to keep their season on track.
As of now, the bullpen has become a major headache, one that will need fixing if the Cardinals are to make a serious push in the National League this season. Until then, the team’s managers and front office will continue to search for answers, hoping that one or two pitchers can step up when they’re needed the most.