St. Louis Cardinals Face Bullpen Challenges Amid Losing Streak
Apr 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Justin Bruihl (47) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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The St. Louis Cardinals have lost two consecutive games, falling 2.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central. The team's bullpen, particularly Justin Bruihl, has struggled, prompting calls for changes to improve performance.
- 01The Cardinals' bullpen has a 4.41 ERA, ranking as the third-worst in the National League.
- 02Justin Bruihl has a 5.56 ERA in 25 appearances this season, raising concerns about his reliability.
- 03Josh Jacobs from MLB.com suggests the Cardinals need to reconsider their bullpen strategy to remain competitive.
- 04Bruihl was acquired as a depth option but has not met expectations, leading to potential changes in the bullpen.
- 05There may be opportunities for the Cardinals to acquire new bullpen arms before the trade deadline.
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The St. Louis Cardinals are currently struggling, having lost back-to-back games and falling 2.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central. As all five teams in the division are performing above .500, the Cardinals face increasing pressure to improve, particularly within their bullpen, which has recorded a 4.41 ERA, the third-worst in the National League. Left-hander Justin Bruihl, acquired from the Cleveland Guardians, has been underperforming with a 5.56 ERA in 25 appearances, raising concerns about his role in the team's strategy. MLB.com’s Josh Jacobs highlighted the need for the Cardinals to reassess their bullpen approach, suggesting that relying on underperforming pitchers is unsustainable. With the trade deadline approaching, the Cardinals may need to consider acquiring additional bullpen depth to enhance their chances of remaining competitive in the division. The current state of their bullpen is not conducive to maintaining their early-season success, and changes may be necessary to bolster their performance moving forward.
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The Cardinals' bullpen struggles could jeopardize their season and affect fan support and attendance at games.
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