2024 St. Louis Cardinals season

2024  St. Louis Cardinals
League	National League
Division	Central
Ballpark	Busch Stadium
City	St. Louis, Missouri
Record	13–14 (.481)
Owners	William DeWitt Jr.
President	Bill DeWitt III
General managers	Mike Girsch
Managers	Oliver Marmol
Television	Bally Sports Midwest (Chip Caray, Tom Ackerman, Jim Edmonds, Brad Thompson)
Radio	KMOX NewsRadio 1120 St. Louis Cardinals Radio Network (John Rooney, Rick Horton, Mike Claiborne)
Stats	ESPN.com BB-reference
←  2023 Seasons

The 2024 St. Louis Cardinals season is the 143rd season for the St. Louis Cardinals, a Major League Baseball franchise in St. Louis, Missouri. It is the 133rd season for the Cardinals in the National League and their 19th at Busch Stadium III.

Season standings

National League Central

v t e NL Central	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Milwaukee Brewers	17	9	0.654	—	5–5	12–4
Chicago Cubs	17	10	0.630	½	10–3	7–7
Cincinnati Reds	15	12	0.556	2½	9–7	6–5
Pittsburgh Pirates	14	14	0.500	4	5–7	9–7
St. Louis Cardinals	13	14	0.481	4½	5–7	8–7

National League Wild Card

v t e Division leaders	W	L	Pct.
Atlanta Braves	18	7	0.720
Milwaukee Brewers	17	9	0.654
Los Angeles Dodgers	18	11	0.621

v t e Wild Card teams (Top 3 teams qualify for postseason)	W	L	Pct.	GB
Philadelphia Phillies	18	10	0.643	+2½
Chicago Cubs	17	10	0.630	+2
Cincinnati Reds	15	12	0.556	—
Pittsburgh Pirates	14	14	0.500	1½
New York Mets	13	13	0.500	1½
St. Louis Cardinals	13	14	0.481	2
San Diego Padres	14	16	0.467	2½
San Francisco Giants	13	15	0.464	2½
Washington Nationals	12	14	0.462	2½
Arizona Diamondbacks	12	16	0.429	3½
Colorado Rockies	7	20	0.259	8
Miami Marlins	6	22	0.214	9½

Previous season

The Cardinals finished the 2023 season 71–91, which was good for a .438 winning percentage. The season was the first losing one for St. Louis since the 2007 season, and finishing twenty games below .500 resulted in the Cardinals finishing last in their division for the first time since the 1990 season. The Cardinals also missed the postseason for the first time since the 2018 season, snapping a four year postseason appearance streak.

Offseason

As announced before the start of the season, 42-year old Adam Wainwright retired after an 18 year career with the Cardinals, which included three All-Star selections, two Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger, and four top-three Cy Young Award finishes. ^[1] Despite struggling with both injury and performance his final season, Wainwright was able to join the 200 win club which he achieved through a 1–0 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers on September 18, 2023. ^[2]

The team added former Cardinals' infielder Daniel Descalso (2010–14) as its new bench coach on November 20, 2023, replacing Joe McEwing who got a job in the front office, assisting president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. ^[3]

To start the offseason, it was made clear by John Mozeliak that the Cardinals were looking to add two or three starting pitchers to the 2024 squad, either by trade or free agency. ^[4] This objective was a result of the very poor performance of the team's pitching in 2023, who combined for the 7th-worst ERA in the league at 4.79, ^[5] numerous injuries during the season, and the departing of several starters at the trade deadline and end of season, including Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, and Adam Wainwright.

On November 21, 2023, the team officially announced that former Cardinals' starter Lance Lynn, 36 (2011–15, 2017) will return in a one-year deal for $11 million, with performance incentives and a 2025 club option. ^[6] The same day, the team signed Kyle Gibson, 36, a former Missouri Tigers college pitcher (2006) to a one-year deal for $12 million, also with a 2025 club option. ^{[7] [8]}

On November 27, 2023, it was announced by Jon Heyman on X and later confirmed by the club that starting pitcher Sonny Gray, 34, had been signed to a three-year deal for $75 million, which also includes a fourth-year 2027 club option that includes a $5 million buyout, and a no-trade clause. Gray had a spectacular 2023 campaign, which resulted in an 8–8 record over 32 starts with a 2.79 ERA, his third All-Star selection, and a 2nd-place finish in AL Cy Young voting. ^[9] Later that day, Gray was officially introduced to media and signed. ^[10]

On November 30, former Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina turned down an offer from the Cardinals to be a full-time coach for the catchers because of family matters. It would have been most helpful for the young backup catcher, Iván Herrera, and Willson Contreras for help in game planning, and get familiar with the pitching staff. The fact that he will be a part-time advisor is still reassuring as he agreed to that for Spring Training games, and at times during the regular season. He could agree to be a full-time coach in 2025. ^[11]

On December 5, the Cardinals in the second annual draft lottery for the 2024 Major League Baseball draft, will get the #7 draft pick that initially projected them with the #5 pick. ^[12]

The Rule 5 draft on December 6, at the Winter Meetings, the Cardinals selected RHP Ryan Fernandez, 25, 6-ft, 0-in., 170-lbs., from Boston. ^{[13] [14]}

On the same day, retired Cardinals' Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina agreed to be a Special Assistant to the president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. Mozeliak said in his explanation of his duties, "It's not going to be catching-specific, but that will be his forte. But if he can help pitchers or even spend time with coaches and share his wisdom, that's the point of this." ^[15]

On December 8, the Cardinals traded frequently-injured OF'er Tyler O'Neill (72G in 2023, 96G in 2022) to the Boston for two pitchers: RH reliever Nick Robertson, 25 (6-ft. 6-in., 265-lbs.), and minor league RH prospect Victor Santos, 23 (6-ft. 1-in., 222-lbs). Robertson was added to the 40-man roster, while Santos will be assigned to a minor league roster later. ^[16]

On December 11, the team finalized its coaching staff in adding a new coaching position, the Assistant Pitching Coach. They hired former Cardinals' LH reliever Dean Kiekhefer (2016). He was pitching coach for Single-A Palm Beach in 2021, and assistant pitching coordinator for player development in 2022 and 2023. The Cardinals have also promoted Daniel "DC" MacLea to the staff as the major league Coordinator, Technology and Systems. MacLea has been with the Cardinals since 2018, first as a performance specialist from 2018–21 and then as technology integration coordinator for player development in 2022-23. ^[17]

On January 5, 2024, the team acquired RH reliever Andrew Kittredge, 33 (34 on Mar. 17) for corner OF'er Richie Palacios in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Kittredge was 2-0, 3.09 ERA, 14 games, 6 GF, 1 Save, 2 BB, and 10 SO in 11.2 IP (1.200 WHIP). He was an All-Star in 2021, before missing parts of 2022 and 2023, returning in Aug. 2023 from Tommy John surgery. He held opponents to a 0.683 O-OPS (0.300 O-OBP% + 0.383 O-SLG%), and a 0.255 O-BA in his 14 games. ^[18]

On January 8, the Cardinals hired Chaim Bloom, 40, as an advisor to John Mozeliak. Bloom was the Boston Red Sox's chief baseball officer from 2019-2023. He will work under Mozeliak, advising on a variety of baseball operations areas. Mozeliak said in explaining the move, "I have known Chaim for a long time and feel that this is a great opportunity for the St. Louis Cardinals. It will be good to get an outside perspective of our organization from someone who is as well-respected as Chaim. Having a fresh set of eyes on all aspects of our baseball operations should be helpful." Before he became Boston's chief baseball officer, Bloom spent 15 years (2005–19) in the Tampa Bay Rays' baseball operations department, including the final three as the club's senior vice president of baseball operations. ^[19]

On January 19, former Cardinals' player (2011-2021) LH-hitting Matt Carpenter, 38, signed a one-year deal for $740,000 to be a DH. In 2023, he hit .176 over 76 games with San Diego, then Carpenter was traded to the Atlanta Braves on December 15 before being released three days later. He was an NL All-Star in 2013, 2014 and 2016. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, the Cardinals transferred RH-reliever James Naile to the KIA Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization for cash considerations. Carpenter will likely be in a battle with Alec Burleson and Luken Baker for the final spot on the 26-man roster. ^[20]

On January 22, the Cardinals avoided arbitration with CF Tommy Edman, with a two-year deal worth a reported $16.5 million. "Tommy's strong fundamental play, athleticism and versatility remain a valuable asset that we view as an important part of our team identity," said president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak. Edman can now shift his focus to fully recovering from the arthroscopic surgery he had on his ailing right wrist following the 2023 season. He hit .248 with 13 home runs and a team-high 27 stolen bases in 2023, while making starts at shortstop (46), second base (40), center field (37) and right field (six). His stellar defensive versatility in 2023 made him a Gold Glove finalist for the third straight season. His 89 stolen bases over the past three seasons are tied for the second most in the Majors with Trea Turner and Starling Marte, behind only Ronald Acuña Jr. (119). ^[21]

On February 3, the Cardinals signed free agent RH-reliever Keynan Middleton, 30, to a one-year reported $6 million contract, with a club option for 2025, for a possible $11 million total. The buyout for 2025 is $1 million. He struck out 17 batters in 14 1/3 innings and compiled a 1.88 ERA with the Yankees late last season. The Yankees acquired him from the Chicago White Sox just before the trade deadline last July. In his total of 51 games, he was 2-2 and a 3.38 ERA, with 64 strikeouts in 50.2 IP. His signing adds to the team's need for more swing-and-miss presence out of the bullpen. ^[22]

Spring Training

The Cardinals signed veteran shortstop, free agent LH Brandon Crawford, 37, on February 27, on a one-year deal. As insurance behind rookie Masyn Winn, who hit .172 in 2023. Crawford spent his entire 13-year career with the San Francisco Giants, a three-time All-Star, and four-time Gold Glove winner. He is a career .250 hitter. Crawford batted .194 with a .273 on-base percentage in 2023, in an injury-marred season in which he played just 94 games. Crawford said about backing-up Winn, "I'm here to help him out any way I can and obviously help the team any way I can, also. That's what was appealing." ^[23] The deal was worth a reported $2 million. To make room for Crawford on the 40-man roster, infielder Buddy Kennedy was designated for assignment. ^[24]

On March 14, Center Fielder Tommy Edman will start the season on the IL due to lingering inflammation and swelling in his right wrist, recovering from wrist surgery in Nov. 2023. He will soon be put on the 10-day IL. He is a former Gold Glove second baseman, was projected to be St. Louis' starting center fielder after playing 42 error-free games there late in the 2023 season. He had surgery on his right wrist in early October when the season ended, but he has yet to make much significant progress because of lingering inflammation and swelling. Edman, who recently got second and third opinions on the soundness of the wrist structurally, has yet to hit live pitching, and batting from the right side causes the most pain in his wrist. He signed a two-year extension in January. Dylan Carlson can stake his claim as St. Louis' Opening Day starter in center field. Rookie speedster Victor Scott II, who has gone from the No. 29 prospect in the Cardinals' system to No. 4, per MLB Pipeline could also compete for the position. Scott won a Gold Glove and stole 94 bases in the Minor Leagues in 2023. The Cardinals are already without Lars Nootbaar, the projected starting left fielder. He recently fractured two ribs on his left side while trying to make a twisting, turning catch in left field. His status for Opening Day remains unclear. ^[25]

On March 15, the Cardinals extended manager's Oliver Marmol, 37, contract from the end of this year through 2026. Marmol's original three-year deal signed in late-2021 after replacing fired manager Mike Shildt was set to expire at season's end. President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak said on why the sudden extension now, "We believe in them. To go into the season with a ... lame-duck manager just seemed to be the wrong strategy given the fact that with the roster we've assembled, we believe we're going to be competitive." ^[26]

On March 16, manager Oliver Marmol announced that RH-reliever Keynan Middleton, 30, will be shut down for 10 days and start the season on the 15-day IL from his right forearm strain. Middleton last pitched on March 7, with lingering pain in his right arm for several days. Middleton was one of the Cardinals' two primary additions to the bullpen this offseason. His injury opens opportunities for newcomers Riley O'Brien, Ryan Fernandez, or Nick Robertson to potentially make the Opening Day roster. Fernandez is a Rule 5 pick and must stay on the roster all season or be offered back to the Red Sox should he clear waivers. ^[27]

On March 17, manager Oliver Marmol announced that Sonny Gray will not make his scheduled Opening Day start on Thu. March 28, due to his right hamstring strain. Miles Mikolas will start against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Mikolas is 0-2 in his Opening Day starts. Gray signed a three-year contract in November 2023, felt his right hamstring "grab at him" on March 4 in the second inning of a 1-0 loss. Unlike in 2022, when he suffered two hamstring injuries and tried to push through the pain, Gray immediately stopped and motioned for catcher Willson Contreras to come to the mound. ^[28]

On March 23, the Cardinals re-assigned outfielder Victor Scott II and infielder Cesar Prieto to minor-league camp before their game on Saturday, their second-to-last in Spring Training. Dylan Carlson will be the starting Center Fielder, while Tommy Edman recovers from wrist surgery, and placed on the IL. The team optioned RH-reliever Nick Robertson, first baseman Luken Baker, infielder/outfielder Alfonso Rivas III, and infielder/outfielder Jared Young to Triple-A Memphis. LH-reliever Zack Thompson will be the temporary fifth starter until Sonny Gray recovers from his hamstring strain and placed on the IL. OF Lars Nootbaar (fractured ribs) will also begin the season on the injured list as will RH-reliever Keynan Middleton. LH-reliever Matthew Liberatore made the roster and will be in the bullpen. After these moves, the team has 29 active and 11 inactive on the 40-man roster, with three more cuts needed to get to the 26-active roster. The team's final ST game will be on Sunday March 24, before two exhibition games in Arizona against the Cubs Monday and Tuesday, before their season opener on Thursday March 28 at Los Angeles. ^[29]

While playing in center field in the second inning in the first of two games against the Cubs on March 25, Dylan Carlson sustained a left shoulder injury in a collision with right fielder Jordan Walker when both were chasing a fly ball. ^[30] Victor Scott II will be the Opening Day center fielder after the team learned that Carlson will miss several weeks with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder. An MRI exam on Monday (March 25) night revealed that Carlson sustained damage to his left shoulder after landing on the warning track after the collision. The team views the injury that will keep Carlson out for a few weeks and not months. ^[31]

The final spring training game on March 26, was a 7-2 win over the Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona to sweep their two-game set, and finish the spring at 13-12-5. Kyle Gibson blitzed through the Cubs on Tuesday before the Cardinals continued their journey west toward Los Angeles and opening day at Dodger Stadium. Gibson struck out nine and allowed one run on four hits in five innings against the Cubs. Through the first seven innings, Cardinals pitchers had 14 strikeouts. As if completing the dress rehearsal for the season, closer Ryan Helsley came in to get the final outs of spring training. The team finalized their bullpen by optioning lefty John King to AAA Memphis. Ryan Fernandez, the team's Rule 5 pick from Boston, makes the opening day roster and will be part of the right-handed relief group out of the bullpen. The Cardinals also optioned catcher Pedro Pages and infielder Thomas Saggese to AAA Memphis. Lefty Drew Rom will go on injured list to start year. The Cardinals will not finalize their active roster for opening day until making one more move with the 40-player roster to clear a spot. ^[32]

On March 27, OF Victor Scott II, 23, made the active roster, making the second-to-last move in the Cardinals' 26-player active roster. The team placed infielder Jared Young on outright waivers to clear the spot for Scott, who zooms from AA-Springfield to the starting center fielder. The team also optioned INF Jose Fermin to AAA-Memphis, to finalize the roster for Opening Day, Thursday, March 28, in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. ^[33]

Regular season

Opening Day

Opening Day starting lineup

No.	Player	Pos.
Batters
33	Brendan Donovan	LF
46	Paul Goldschmidt	1B
16	Nolan Gorman	2B
28	Nolan Arenado	3B
40	Willson Contreras	C
41	Alec Burleson	DH
18	Jordan Walker	RF
11	Victor Scott II	CF
0	Masyn Winn	SS
Starting pitcher
39	Miles Mikolas
References: [34]

Summary

April

The Cardinals started the season, 1–3, on March 28, after dropping the first two games against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, before winning the third game, but lost the fourth game.

Traveling to San Diego, they won the first two games, before dropping the third to be 3–4. Opening Day at Busch Stadium on April 4, at the 3:15pm start time, with 47,273 in attendance, duration of game 2:47 (start time weather: 49 °F (9 °C), wind 15 mph (24 km/h) out to right field, Overcast but no precipitation), winning 8–5 against the Miami Marlins. Again winning the first two games (April 4, 6), then dropping the third game to start the first 10 games with an even 5–5 split. Losing the first game to the Phillies on April 8, in 10-innings in a tough 3–5 loss. Reliever John King was sent to AAA, to activate ace starter Sonny Gray on April 9. He won the second game against the Phillies in his first start of the season, 3–0, while on a strict 65-pitch limit to build up his arm strength after delayed 12 days from starting the season's March 28 opener, and 36 days since he last pitched in Spring Training on March 4, because of a strained right hamstring. He pitched the minimum of five innings for the win, facing 18 batters, on 64 pitches (43 strikes), giving up only five singles, striking out five, no walks, with five groundouts (plus two double plays) and two flyouts. Gray's sweeper--one he considers a slider, and the pitch that limited hitters to a .097 average in 2023, gave him his last two strikeouts. ^[35] Closer Ryan Helsley earned his fourth save of the season after playing 12 games, with the win making the team returning to .500 at 6–6. ^[36]

The Cardinals dropped the final game against the Phillies on April 10, 3–4; Team record now 6–7 (.462) 5th place (50 Runs, 55 Runs Against), last in the NL Central, trailing the Pirates by 3.5 games. On April 11, LF'er Lars Nootbaar was activated on the off-day, out since March 2, after fracturing two left ribs. Pedro_Pagés was optioned to AAA. This comes before a six-game West Coast trip, starting April 12-14 against Arizona, and then the final three games in Oakland against the Athletics (1968-2024) before their 2025 move to playing in Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, for the 2025–2027 seasons, before their expected 2028 move to Las Vegas. ^{[37] [38]}

The team rallied late on April 12, at Arizona after blowing a 6–0 lead with Arizona tying it at Chase Field with a six-run fifth inning, but the Cardinals gave up no more for a 9–6 win. Nolan Arenado hit his first HR in 39 games stretching back to Aug. 19, 2023, a three-run homer in the first inning. His best friend, who hit together and surf together throughout the offseason, is fellow Southern California native Lars Nootbaar. He played in his first game after recovering from fractured ribs, who slugged a key two-run HR in the third inning to build-up that initial 6–0 lead. Paul Goldschmidt singled in the lead run in the seventh, followed by Masyn Winn tripling in a run in the eighth, followed by Victor Scott II's sacrifice fly for the final run. Ryan Helsley recorded his fifth save with a perfect ninth, striking out two. The team evened its record at 7–7, 5th place (59-61 Runs-Runs Against), three games behind NL Central leaders Milwaukee 9–3, and Pittsburgh 10–4. ^{[39] [40]}

Sonny Gray won his second consecutive game and his 100th career win, 3–1, in front of 5,508 paid on April 15, in his first home park (Oakland Coliseum, Jul. 10, 2013-Jul. 31, 2017), and the last time in Oakland. Now 11 years after his first start on Aug. 15, 2013, with the Athletics. Still pitching within the confines of a 75-pitch limit, Gray went six scoreless innings, striking out six while scattering four hits. He has yet to issue a walk in his 11 scoreless innings. He joins current rotation mates Lance Lynn (136) and Kyle Gibson (105) in the group of 13 active pitchers who have reached the century mark in wins. The A's recently agreed to a three-year deal to play in Sacramento until the team's planned relocation in 2028 to Las Vegas. ^[41]

Dorrel Norman Elvert Herzog, nicknamed 'Whitey' or 'The White Rat', manager from 1980-Jul. 6, 1990, died at 92 on April 15. He changed the direction of the Cardinals franchise in the early 1980s with an exciting style of play that would become known as "Whiteyball." He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the veterans' committee in December 2009, and inducted the next July. He also was elected to the Cardinals' Hall of Fame and had his No. 24 retired. ^[42] His record with the Cardinals was 822-728 (.530), and 21-16 (.538) in 37 post-season games. Won six divisional titles, three pennants (1982, 1985, and 1987), and the 1982 World Series win. ^{[43] [44]} Herzog had two 100-win seasons (1977 and 1985), won the 1982 MLB Mgr. of the Year Award, and the 1985 NL Mgr. of the Year Award, and ranks 39th all-time with 1,281 total wins. ^[45] Herzog was the second-oldest living Hall of Famer. Willie Mays, also 92, was born on May 6, 1931, six months before Herzog. Herzog's family is planning a private celebration of life service after a period of grieving, and ask that any donations be made to Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis. ^[46] Biography

On April 21, the Cardinals optioned OF speedster and elite CF defender Victor Scott II to AAA-Memphis, along with RH reliever Andre Pallante, 25. Scott needed work to improve his hitting, with his 5-for-59 (.085/.138/.136 and .274 OPS, -22 OPS+) with three Doubles, two Walks, 15 SO, six runs, six RBIs, and two Stolen Bases. They recalled RH reliever Nick Robertson, 25, and C Pedro Pagés. Palante in nine games had a 6.30 ERA. He threw three IP, giving up five hits and three runs (2 earned), walking one, striking out none, in the latest loss 5-12 on April 20, to the Brewers. The Cardinals are 9-12 (.429), losing their last three consecutive games, now five games behind the Brewers, scoring 76 Runs to 93 Runs Against (-17) in their 21 games. ^[47] The lack of HRs for the Cardinals (13) and the amount of them off St. Louis pitching (26), the sixth-worst in MLB, have been a big reason for the poor start, remaining in last place in the NL Central. Only the White Sox have hit fewer HRs (10) than the Cardinals who have not hit one in seven consecutive games. Miles Mikolas, 35 (1-3, 6.49 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 5 HRs allowed in 26.1 IP over 5G) took the loss, pulled after 4.2 inn. after having a 4-2 lead after the third inning of the April 20 game against the Brewers, but gave up two runs via a HR in the first, and then three runs via two HRs in the fourth. Mikolas has given up at least five earned runs in a start for the third time in 2024. ^[48] Batters have hit .311/.353/.538 (.891 O-OPS) against him, each of those (BA/OBP/SLG and O-OPS statistics are career worsts in his nine-year MLB career. ^[49]

Sonny Gray (2-1, 1.04 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, .226 O-BA), lost his no-runs-allowed streak, and no-losses season on April 21, after 6.1 innings, giving up two runs in the seventh after one out, for the only scoring of the day for either team. He had 17.1 IP in his three starts before the two runs scored, giving up 14 hits, one walk, and 23 strikeouts. In the game he gave up five hits and a walk, striking out a season-high 12. Back-to-back singles, a stolen base, and a third single accounted for the two runs. LH-reliever JoJo Romero relieved to finish the inning. The 0-2 loss dropped the Cardinals to 9-13 (.409), mired in last place, six games behind the NL Central leading Brewers, who swept the series. This was the team's second game shutout by opponents, getting only six hits, leaving 10 on-base, and just one extra-base hit, a double by Masyn Winn in the second inning. The team was 0-for-9 for runners in scoring position. The Brewers have led all of MLB with the best road winning percentage (9-2, .818) before the win. The Cardinals lost their sixth-consecutive series finale, averaging a small 3.62 runs per game. ^[50]

After an embarrassing 1-14 blowout loss to Arizona on April 23, with the team 10-14 (.417), Jordan Walker was demoted on April 24, to AAA-Memphis to again work on his swing and pitch-selection issues. He was the DH in the blowout loss game, going 0-for-3. He was hitting only .155 (9-for-58) and .239/.259 .498 OPS, with four doubles, a triple, 0 HRs, and four RBIs in 20 games played of the 24 the team played. He was receptive to the demotion. The issue was Walker’s inability to lift balls for homers and his rising whiff rate. In 2023, his ground-ball rate was 46.9%, now 50% in 2024. His line-drive rate decreased from 25.2% to 16.7%. INF Jose Fermin hitting .350 at AAA-Memphis, was recalled. LH-reliever Zach Thompson was also optioned, while LH-reliever John King was recalled for the second time this season. ^[51]

Game Log

Legend
Cardinals Win	Cardinals Loss	Game Postponed
Boldface text denotes a Cardinals pitcher

2024 St. Louis Cardinals Game Log: 13–14 (Home: 5–7; Away: 8–7) [52]
March/April: 13–14 (Home: 5–7 ; Away: 8–7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box / Streak 1 March 28 @ Dodgers 1–7 Glasnow (1–0) Mikolas (0–1) Yarbrough (1) 52,667 0–1 L1 2 March 29 @ Dodgers 3–6 Miller (1–0) Thompson (0–1) Phillips (2) 47,524 0–2 L2 3 March 30 @ Dodgers 6–5 (10) Helsley (1–0) Hurt (0–1) Gallegos (1) 45,019 1–2 W1 4 March 31 @ Dodgers 4–5 Crismatt (1–0) King (0–1) Hudson (1) 41,014 1–3 L1 5 April 1 @ Padres 6–2 Gibson (1–0) Waldron (0–1) — 37,566 2–3 W1 6 April 2 @ Padres 5–2 Mikolas (1–1) Darvish (0–1) Helsley (1) 43,076 3–3 W2 7 April 3 @ Padres 2–3 Musgrove (1–1) Thompson (0–2) Suárez (3) 38,835 3–4 L1 8 April 4 Marlins 8–5 Gallegos (1–0) Sánchez (0–1) Helsley (2) 47,273 4–4 W1 9 April 6 Marlins 3–1 Matz (1–0) Rogers (0–1) Helsley (3) 37,328 5–4 W2 10 April 7 Marlins 3–10 Meyer (1–0) Gibson (1–1) — 39,519 5–5 L1 11 April 8 Phillies 3–5 (10) Hoffman (1–0) Helsley (1–1) Soto (1) 32,321 5–6 L2 12 April 9 Phillies 3–0 Gray (1–0) Wheeler (0–2) Helsley (4) 31,972 6–6 W1 13 April 10 Phillies 3–4 Nola (2–1) Pallante (0–1) Hoffman (1) 33,104 6–7 L1 14 April 12 @ Diamondbacks 9–6 Gallegos (2–0) Mantiply (1–1) Helsley (5) 29,247 7–7 W1 15 April 13 @ Diamondbacks 2–4 Nelson (1–2) Gibson (1–2) Ginkel (3) 33,640 7–8 L1 16 April 14 @ Diamondbacks 0–5 Gallen (3–0) Mikolas (1–2) — 26,460 7–9 L2 17 April 15 @ Athletics 3–1 Gray (2–0) Stripling (0–4) Helsley (6) 5,508 8–9 W1 18 April 16 @ Athletics 3–2 Lynn (1–0) Jiménez (1–1) Helsley (7) 3,296 9–9 W2 19 April 17 @ Athletics 3–6 Blackburn (2–0) Matz (1–1) Miller (4) 9,551 9–10 L1 20 April 19 Brewers 1–2 (10) Payamps (1–1) Helsley (1–2) Milner (1) 40,147 9–11 L2 21 April 20 Brewers 5–12 Wilson (2–0) Mikolas (1–3) — 41,949 9–12 L3 22 April 21 Brewers 0–2 Hudson (1–0) Gray (2–1) Payamps (3) 40,715 9–13 L4 23 April 22 Diamondbacks 5–3 Helsley (2–2) Thompson (0–1) — 33,036 10–13 W1 24 April 23 Diamondbacks 1–14 Henry (1–1) Matz (1–2) Allen (1) 32,875 10–14 L1 25 April 24 Diamondbacks 5–1 Gibson (2–2) Montgomery (1–1) — 36,390 11–14 W1 26 April 26 @ Mets 4–2 Mikolas (2–3) Buttó (0–1) Helsley (8) 24,159 12–14 W2 27 April 27 @ Mets 7–4 Gray (3–1) Houser (0–3) Helsley (9) 32,332 13–14 W3 28 April 28 @ Mets – — – 29 April 29 @ Tigers – — – 30 April 30 @ Tigers – — –
May: 0–0 (Home: 0–0 ; Away: 0–0) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box / Streak 31 May 1 @ Tigers – — – 32 May 3 White Sox – — – 33 May 4 White Sox – — – 34 May 5 White Sox – — – 35 May 6 Mets – — – 36 May 7 Mets – — – 37 May 8 Mets – — – 38 May 9 @ Brewers – — – 39 May 10 @ Brewers – — – 40 May 11 @ Brewers – — – 41 May 12 @ Brewers – — – 42 May 13 @ Angels – — – 43 May 14 @ Angels – — – 44 May 15 @ Angels – — – 45 May 17 Red Sox – — – 46 May 18 Red Sox – — – 47 May 19 Red Sox – — – 48 May 20 Orioles – — – 49 May 21 Orioles – — – 50 May 22 Orioles – — – 51 May 24 Cubs – — – 52 May 25 Cubs – — – 53 May 26 Cubs – — – 54 May 27 @ Reds – — – 55 May 28 @ Reds – — – 56 May 29 @ Reds – — – 57 May 31 @ Phillies – — –
June: 0–0 (Home: 0–0 ; Away: 0–0) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box / Streak 58 June 1 @ Phillies – — – 59 June 2 @ Phillies – — – 60 June 3 @ Astros – — – 61 June 4 @ Astros – — – 62 June 5 @ Astros – — – 63 June 6 Rockies – — – 64 June 7 Rockies – — – 65 June 8 Rockies – — – 66 June 9 Rockies – — – 67 June 11 Pirates – — – 68 June 12 Pirates – — – 69 June 13 Pirates – — – 70 June 14 @ Cubs – — – 71 June 15 @ Cubs – — – 72 June 16 @ Cubs – — – 73 June 17 @ Marlins – — – 74 June 18 @ Marlins – — – 75 June 19 @ Marlins – — – 76 June 20* Giants – — – 77 June 22 Giants – — – 78 June 23 Giants – — – 79 June 24 Braves – — – 80 June 25 Braves – — – 81 June 26 Braves – — – 82 June 27 Reds – — – 83 June 28 Reds – — – 84 June 29 Reds – — – 85 June 30 Reds – — – *June 20 game played at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama
July: 0–0 (Home: 0–0 ; Away: 0–0) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box / Streak 86 July 2 @ Pirates – — – 87 July 3 @ Pirates – — – 88 July 4 @ Pirates – — – 89 July 5 @ Nationals – — – 90 July 6 @ Nationals – — – 91 July 7 @ Nationals – — – 92 July 8 @ Nationals – — – 93 July 9 Royals – — – 94 July 10 Royals – — – 95 July 12 Cubs – — – 96 July 13 Cubs – — – 97 July 14 Cubs – — – 94th All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas 98 July 19 @ Braves – — – 99 July 20 @ Braves – — – 100 July 21 @ Braves – — – 101 July 22 @ Pirates – — – 102 July 23 @ Pirates – — – 103 July 24 @ Pirates – — – 104 July 26 Nationals – — – 105 July 27 Nationals – — – 106 July 28 Nationals – — – 107 July 29 Rangers – — – 108 July 30 Rangers – — – 109 July 31 Rangers – — –
August: 0–0 (Home: 0–0 ; Away: 0–0) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box / Streak 110 August 1 @ Cubs – — – 111 August 2 @ Cubs – — – 112 August 3 @ Cubs – — – 113 August 4 @ Cubs – — – 114 August 6 Rays – — – 115 August 7 Rays – — – 116 August 8 Rays – — – 117 August 9 @ Royals – — – 118 August 10 @ Royals – — – 119 August 12 @ Reds – — – 120 August 13 @ Reds – — – 121 August 14 @ Reds – — – 122 August 16 Dodgers – — – 123 August 17 Dodgers – — – 124 August 18 Dodgers – — – 125 August 20 Brewers – — – 126 August 21 Brewers – — – 127 August 22 Brewers – — – 128 August 23 @ Twins – — – 129 August 24 @ Twins – — – 130 August 25 @ Twins – — – 131 August 26 Padres – — – 132 August 27 Padres – — – 133 August 28 Padres – — – 134 August 29 Padres – — – 135 August 30 @ Yankees – — – 136 August 31 @ Yankees – — –
September: 0–0 (Home: 0–0 ; Away: 0–0) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box / Streak 137 September 1 @ Yankees – — – 138 September 2 @ Brewers – — – 139 September 3 @ Brewers – — – 140 September 4 @ Brewers – — – 141 September 6 Mariners – — – 142 September 7 Mariners – — – 143 September 8 Mariners – — – 144 September 10 Reds – — – 145 September 11 Reds – — – 146 September 12 Reds – — – 147 September 13 @ Blue Jays – — – 148 September 14 @ Blue Jays – — – 149 September 15 @ Blue Jays – — – 150 September 16 Pirates – — – 151 September 17 Pirates – — – 152 September 18 Pirates – — – 153 September 19 Pirates – — – 154 September 20 Guardians – — – 155 September 21 Guardians – — – 156 September 22 Guardians – — – 157 September 24 @ Rockies – — – 158 September 25 @ Rockies – — – 159 September 26 @ Rockies – — – 160 September 27 @ Giants – — – 161 September 28 @ Giants – — – 162 September 29 @ Giants – — –

Roster

St. Louis Cardinals roster v t e
Active roster				Inactive roster		Coaches/Other
Pitchers Starting rotation 44 Kyle Gibson 54 Sonny Gray 31 Lance Lynn 32 Steven Matz 39 Miles Mikolas Bullpen 64 Ryan Fernandez 65 Giovanny Gallegos 47 John King 27 Andrew Kittredge 52 Matthew Liberatore 29 Nick Robertson 59 JoJo Romero Closer(s) 56 Ryan Helsley		Catchers 40 Willson Contreras 48 Iván Herrera Infielders 28 Nolan Arenado 35 Brandon Crawford 15 José Fermín 46 Paul Goldschmidt 16 Nolan Gorman 43 Pedro Pagés  0 Masyn Winn Outfielders 41 Alec Burleson 33 Brendan Donovan 21 Lars Nootbaar 63 Michael Siani		Pitchers 66 Adam Kloffenstein 93 Keynan Middleton 55 Riley O'Brien 53 Andre Pallante 61 Sem Robberse 38 Drew Rom 57 Zack Thompson Infielders 26 Luken Baker 19 Tommy Edman 22 Alfonso Rivas III Outfielders  3 Dylan Carlson 11 Victor Scott II 18 Jordan Walker Designated hitters 13 Matt Carpenter		Manager 37 Oliver Marmol Coaches 87 Brandon Allen (assistant hitting) 90 Dusty Blake (pitching) 82 Stubby Clapp (first base) 34 Daniel Descalso (bench) 88 Packy Elkins (game planning) 89 Dean Kiekhefer (assistant pitching) 51 Willie McGee (assistant coach) 94 Jamie Pogue (assistant coach/bullpen) 74 Julio Rangel (assistant pitching/bullpen) 76 Kleininger Teran (bullpen catcher) 49 Turner Ward (hitting) 75 Ron 'Pop' Warner (third base) 26 active, 14 inactive 7-, 10-, or 15-day injured list # Personal leave Roster and coaches updated April 24, 2024 Transactions • Depth chart → All MLB rosters

Minor league system and first-year player draft

Teams

See also: List of St. Louis Cardinals minor league affiliates, St. Louis Cardinals minor league players, and Minor League Baseball

Level	Team	League	Division	Manager	W–L/Stats	Standing	Refs
Triple-A	Memphis Redbirds	International League	West	Ben Johnson			[53]
Double-A	Springfield Cardinals	Texas League	North	José Leger
High-A	Peoria Chiefs	Midwest League	West	Patrick Anderson
Single-A	Palm Beach Cardinals	Florida State League	East	Gary Kendall
Rookie	FCL Cardinals	Florida Complex League	East	Roberto Espinoza
Foreign Rookie	DSL Cardinals	Dominican Summer League	Boca Chica South	Fray Peniche

Major League Baseball draft

Main article: 2024 Major League Baseball draft

The 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) First-Year Player Draft will be held in Fort Worth, Texas on Sunday, July 14, and will end on Tuesday, July 16, after the 2024 MLB Draft Lottery took place on December 5, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee during the Winter Meetings. The draft assigns amateur baseball players to MLB teams.

The Cardinals in the second annual draft lottery for the 2024 Major League Baseball draft, will get the #7 draft pick that initially projected them with the #5 pick. The Minnesota Twins will have a pick (#33) immediately following the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) picks as compensation for losing Sonny Gray, who signed with the Cardinals after rejecting his qualifying offer from Minnesota. The Cardinals will lose their second-highest draft pick in exchange for signing Gray. The Draft will remain at 20 rounds, and after the first round, the non-postseason teams will choose in reverse order of winning percentage. In all 20 rounds, the playoff clubs will choose in reverse order of their postseason finish (Wild Card losers, Division Series losers, Championship Series losers, World Series loser, World Series winner). Within each of those playoff groups, teams are sorted by revenue-sharing status and then reverse order of winning percentage. ^[54] Draft experts pick the first 10 who they believe will be signed in July 2024 in Arlington, Texas. ^[55]

2024 Draft Order

2024 Draft Tracker (STL Cardinals)
Cardinals Draft Signings Tracker

References

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7. "Cardinals keep adding pitching, sign veteran Gibson". MLB.com. November 21, 2023.
8. "Cardinals sign P Kyle Gibson to 1-year, $12M deal, sources say". ESPN. November 21, 2023.
9. "Cardinals, Sonny Gray reportedly agree to 3-year, $75 million contract". Yahoo Sports. November 27, 2023.
10. Schaeffer, Brenden (November 27, 2023). "Cardinals make Sonny Gray signing official at press conference". KMOV.com.
11. "Yadier Molina is not joining Cardinals' coaching staff in a full-time role for 2024". redbirdrants.com. November 30, 2023.
12. "Guardians win Draft Lottery, securing next year's draft pick". MLB. December 5, 2023.
13. "2023 Rule 5 draft: Complete results, analysis". MLB. December 6, 2023.
14. "Ryan Fernandez". MLB. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
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16. "Cardinals acquire pitchers Robertson, Santos from Red Sox for O'Neill". MLB. December 8, 2023.
17. "Cardinals finalize manager Oliver Marmol's coaching staff with two new additions". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. December 11, 2023.
18. "Cards add bullpen depth by acquiring Kittredge from Rays". MLB. January 5, 2024.
19. "Cardinals hire Chaim Bloom as advisor to Mozeliak". MLB. January 8, 2024.
20. "Cards reunite with Carpenter on one-year deal". MLB. January 19, 2024.
21. "Cardinals sign Edman to 2-year deal to avoid arbitration". MLB. January 22, 2024.
22. "Cardinals boost bullpen depth in deal with Middleton". MLB. February 3, 2024.
23. "Cardinals, 3-time All-Star shortstop Crawford agree to 1-year deal". MLB. February 27, 2024.
24. "Cardinals ink All-Star shortstop to Brandon Crawford to 1-year deal; he gets right to work". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. February 27, 2024.
25. "Edman (wrist) ruled out for Opening Day". MLB. March 14, 2024.
26. "Marmol, Cards agree to extension through '26". MLB. March 15, 2024.
27. "Injuries and Moves: Middleton to start season on IL". MLB. March 16, 2024.
28. "Mikolas replacing Gray as Cards' Opening Day starter". MLB. March 17, 2024.
29. "Cardinals send Victor Scott II to minor-league camp as they prepare to host Nationals". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. March 23, 2024.
30. "Injuries & Moves Carlson (shoulder) exits after outfield collision". MLB. March 25, 2024.
31. "Carlson injury paves way for Scott to start in center on Opening Day". MLB. March 26, 2024.
32. "Cardinals sweep Cubs to finish spring, make cut to finalize bullpen. Next stop: Hollywood". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. March 26, 2024.
33. "Cardinals set roster for opening day, clear spot on MLB roster for Victor Scott II". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. March 27, 2024.
34. "St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score, March 28, 2024". Baseball-Reference.com . March 28, 2024.
35. "Gray proves he's the ace Cards need in sterling debut". MLB. April 9, 2024.
36. "Gameday (StL 3, Phil 0)". MLB. April 9, 2024.
37. "Injuries & Moves: Nootbaar activated; Pages optioned to Memphis". MLB. April 11, 2024.
38. Farkas, Brady (November 19, 2023). "An Interesting Nugget About the Oakland Athletics' Relocation to Las Vegas". Fastball. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
39. "Nootbaar, Arenado buddy up with big homers". MLB. April 13, 2024.
40. "Gameday (StL 9, AZ 6)". MLB. April 12, 2024.
41. "Nostalgic Gray records 100th career win at former home park". MLB. April 16, 2024.
42. "Whitey Herzog, innovative manager, Cardinals champion and creator of 'Whiteyball', dies at 92". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. April 16, 2024.
43. "Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog passes away at 92". MLB. April 16, 2024.
44. "Whitey Herzog (manager record)". Baseball-Reference . Retrieved April 16, 2024.
45. "Whitey Herzog leaves legacy of fun, savvy baseball that 'forever changed' Cardinals". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. April 17, 2024.
46. "Whitey Herzog - 1931-2024". MLB. April 16, 2024.
47. "Injuries & Moves: Scott, Pallante optioned; Pages, Robertson recalled". MLB. April 21, 2024.
48. "Mikolas finally gets run support, but can't cash in". MLB. April 20, 2024.
49. "Miles Mikolas ('Summary'/'Career Stats')". MLB. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
50. "Cardinals shut out by Brewers 2-0, lose 4th straight despite Sonny Gray's strong start". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. April 21, 2024.
51. Jordan Walker demoted amid early struggles, MLB, April 24, 2024
52. "2024 St. Louis Cardinals sortable schedule". St. Louis Cardinals.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
53. "St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball Reference. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
54. "Guardians win Draft Lottery, securing next year's draft pick". MLB. December 5, 2023.
55. "Draft experts make the first 10 picks of 2024". MLB. December 5, 2023.

External links

• St. Louis Cardinals 2024 schedule at MLB.com
• at ESPN
• 2024 St. Louis Cardinals season at Baseball Reference