What the data shows
What are the St. Louis Cardinals’ plans for their bullpen as they approach the 2026 season? The team is expected to finalize its bullpen configuration before the season kicks off, indicating a strategic shift in how they manage their pitching staff.
In recent developments, the Cardinals have moved away from relying solely on Ryan Helsley, opting instead for a more matchup-based approach with their relievers. This change comes after JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien combined for an impressive 14 of the team’s 16 saves during the last two months of the previous season, showcasing their effectiveness in high-pressure situations.
Riley O’Brien is anticipated to take on the primary closer role, while Matt Svanson is set to fill a crucial firefighter position within the bullpen. Justin Bruihl is projected to serve as the Opening Day lefty, likely tasked with handling less critical innings. This strategic reorganization aims to enhance the overall performance of the bullpen, which has ranked 11th in baseball in fWAR over the last three seasons.
Despite these changes, the Cardinals have not made significant alterations to their broadcast team, even with shifts in television channels. The team will produce most of its games through Major League Baseball after ending its partnership with FanDuel Sports Network. Fans can still catch the action through various cable providers, including Charter/Spectrum and AT&T U-verse, with MLB.TV subscriptions available for $29.99 per month or $149.99 for the season for those outside the Cardinals’ television footprint.
Looking ahead, the Cardinals are projected to win around 75 games in the 2026 season, a figure that raises eyebrows given their recent struggles. The team has missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, leading to questions about their ability to improve. As one analyst noted, “This Cardinals team cannot be 10 games worse than they were last year, which PECOTA is projecting.” Such projections highlight the importance of instilling a winning mentality in a young team.
As the roster solidifies, uncertainties remain regarding the exact roles of the bullpen pitchers as the season approaches. The impact of the new pitching philosophy on the bullpen’s performance is also uncertain. For instance, the command of George Soriano has been a concern, but if he can significantly reduce his average walk rate in 2026, he could become a valuable asset for this iteration of the Cardinals.
With spring training underway, decisions about the final roster are imminent. If Nelson Velazquez continues to impress, he may secure a spot on the Opening Day roster, potentially leaving Matt Pushard as the odd man out. As these developments unfold, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Cardinals’ bullpen strategy plays out in the upcoming season.