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41 articles
STL • Pitcher • #52
2 days ago
Liberatore left with a three-run lead, but that was blown in the eighth. It means he’s still winless in spite of a 3.67 ERA after five starts. Still, while he’s unfortunate to be winless, he’s probably lucky to have that ERA; he has a 16/10 K/BB with five homers allowed in 27 innings, which makes for a 5.46 FIP. Liberatore will take on the Mariners next time out.
STL • Pitcher • #52
8 days ago
It’s back-to-back starts where Liberatore has allowed four runs while working only five innings, and that’s not the kind of consistency fantasy managers are looking for. He allowed six hits and three walks, and traffic — and the ability to keep that traffic from scoring — has been an issue over these last two outings. Liberatore has a tough task against a hot-hitting Houston lineup over the weekend. It’s probably best to look elsewhere.
STL • Pitcher • #52
14 days ago
Liberatore gave up solo homers to Curtis Mead and James Wood in what was an unimpressive follow up to a solid start against the Mets on Wednesday. The left-hander did strike out six with a respectable 11 swings-and-misses, but considering the lineup, this was a disappointing outing. He’ll try and rebound against the Guardians on Monday.
STL • Pitcher • #52
20 days ago
Liberatore took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Mark Vientos laced a two-out double down the line. He put out that fire, but allowed Juan Soto to break the 0-0 tie the following inning with a solo home run. Still, Liberatore mixed his deep repertoire well to keep the Mets’ talented lineup off-balance all afternoon. He’s scheduled to face the Nationals next time out.
STL • Pitcher • #52
26 days ago
Liberatore also issued a pair of walks in the contest while striking out a pair. Despite the constant traffic on the basepaths against him, the 26-year-old hurler was able to limit the damage to just a solo home run off the bat of Jonathan Aranda in the fifth inning. He generated five swings and misses on 78 pitches on the afternoon, posting an underwhelming CSW of 18 percent. He’ll try again to get in the win column when he faces the Mets at home on Wednesday.
STL • Pitcher • #52
about 1 month ago
Liberatore didn’t give up a hit until his final inning. He walked one and struck out five while generating seven swings and misses before exiting. He finishes the Grapefruit League with a 1.80 ERA, and he whiffed 12 over his final two starts. The former top prospect will be the Opening Day hurler for St. Louis in 2026, and there’s at least a smidgen of fantasy upside in Liberatore’s left arm.
STL • Pitcher • #52
about 1 month ago
This was always the expected outcome. With Richard Fitts getting demoted, the Cardinals rotation appears set with Dustin May, Michael McGreevy, Andre Pallante and Kyle Leahy rounding things out. It’s definitely one of the league’s least exciting groups, but no one projects as an especially big liability and there are interesting arms on the way.
STL • Pitcher • #52
about 1 month ago
With a lot of lefties in the lineup for Baltimore, Liberatore went to his slider often, and the pitch had a 42 percent swinging strike rate and 63 percent CSW. He also continued to showcase his new changeup, which had just a 14 percent swinging strike rate but looked like a weapon against right-handed hitters. Liberatore also maintained his velocity gains on his cutter and threw 69 percent strikes in this one. Overall, it’s another encouraging effort from a young pitcher who looks poised to take a step forward this season.
STL • Pitcher • #52
about 2 months ago
Liberatore’s fastball velocity last time out was up one mph from last year. Today, it started in that range, but quickly dropped off, leaving him with a 93.4 mph average that was 0.5 mph under last year’s average. His spin rates were all a bit down as well. Let’s see how he bounces back next time out.
STL • Pitcher • #52
about 2 months ago
He struck out three and walked one. Liberatore averaged 94.9 mph with his fastball today, up exactly one mph from last year. He offers limited fantasy potential on a St. Louis team that isn’t trying to win, but the Cardinals would love to see him take another step forward in his second full season as a starter.
STL • Pitcher • #52
about 2 months ago
It was the road split squad, so Liberatore wasn’t facing any regulars today. Still, it’s a nice start to his spring. He’s probably the favorite to start on Opening Day for the Cardinals this year after going 8-12 with a 4.21 ERA in his first season as a full-time starter.
STL • Pitcher • #52
3 months ago
Liberatore qualified for arbitration as a Super Two player. The 26-year-old came in at 8-12 with a 4.21 ERA in his first full season as a starter last year, and the Cardinals should be happy if he’s about as effective this year. He needs to up his 19% strikeout rate if he going to fare much better.
STL • Pitcher • #52
7 months ago
The Cardinals are having Liberatore finish on a high note after he defeated the Brewers on Sunday. Kyle Leahy could get a start in game 162, though that will depend on if he’s needed out of the bullpen first. Liberatore finishes up his first full season as a starter 8-12 with a 4.21 ERA and a 122/40 K/BB in 151 2/3 innings. That he made such big gains in lefty-righty matchups is encouraging, but as a flyball pitcher with a below average strikeout rate, his ceiling still seems rather low.
Source: Katie Woo
STL • Pitcher • #52
7 months ago
Liberatore took advantage of a Brewers sitting several regulars today and struck out six for just his second win since the beginning of July. He’s 8-12 with a 4.21 ERA with one start remaining. That’ll come against the Cubs next weekend.
STL • Pitcher • #52
7 months ago
Liberatore allowed four hits, walked one and struck out six while getting through six innings for the first time in 12 starts. A little recovery here in the second half of September could be the difference in whether or not he’s guaranteed a rotation spot entering spring training. He didn’t factor into the decision tonight, so he stays 7-12 with a 4.30 ERA. He’ll likely face the Brewers on Sunday.
STL • Pitcher • #52
7 months ago
Liberatore tossed two scoreless innings, then gave up a three-run homer to Randy Arozarena in the third inning. Josh Naylor then took him deep for a solo shot in the fourth. Liberatore gave up one more run in the frame on a walk, two hits, and a sacrifice fly. His day would be done after four innings. He stuck out just one. The 25-year-old left-hander will take a 4.35 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and a 110/38 K/BB ratio across 140 2/3 innings into a start against the Reds in St. Louis on Monday.
STL • Pitcher • #52
8 months ago
This was a roller coaster of a start for Liberatore. The Reds jumped on him for two runs in the first inning which included a home run by Noelvi Marte that bounced off the facing of the second deck. Then, he kept them off the board for the next four innings before Spencer Steer took him deep to start the sixth and he was pulled soon thereafter. Liberatore’s swing-and-miss stuff has completely evaporated over the last month, his velocity is trending downward, and he has a 4.94 ERA since the All-Star break. He’s sadly not the same pitcher that seemed like they were breaking out through the first few months of the season and is scheduled to face the Athletics at home next time out.
STL • Pitcher • #52
8 months ago
Liberatore’s only other start against the team that drafted him was probably the best of his career; he shut out the Rays for eight innings on August 10, 2023. This time, there was no such magic, and he dropped to 0-5 with a 5.82 ERA in eight starts since the beginning of July. If the Cardinals choose to stick with him, he’ll face the Reds next weekend.
STL • Pitcher • #52
8 months ago
Libertatore struck out five and only issued one walk. It was a solid bounce-back effort after giving up five runs over 6 1/3 frames his last time out against the lowly Pirates. He doesn’t offer elite strikeout upside, but Liberatore has been a solid back-end rotation option for fantasy purposes this season with a 4.13 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 93/29 K/BB ratio across 122 innings (23 starts). He’ll face the Rays on Sunday to close out a two-start week.
STL • Pitcher • #52
8 months ago
Liberatore was outdueled by Kyle Freeland. In this case it was actually more compliment to Freeland than insult to Liberatore, but the latter certainly didn’t pitch terribly effectively with four hits allowed including a two-run homer by Hunter Goodman. Liberatore is just not an effective streamer at this stage, and there’s just as much risk as reward when he faces the Marlins next week.
STL • Pitcher • #52
9 months ago
This could have been a lot worse. With his fastball velocity down two mph from his season average, Liberatore generated just one strikeout and two missed swings in the 72-pitch outing. He gave up six hits, including a two-run homer to Shohei Ohtani. Liberatore hasn’t completed five innings in any of his last four starts, and he hasn’t won since June 29. The Cardinals might need to shift him back to the pen soon. However, he does have a bounce-back opportunity coming up at home next week against the Rockies.
STL • Pitcher • #52
9 months ago
Liberatore was far from perfect, but he deserved better. A costly error by Willson Contreras scored a run and kept the fifth inning alive to cause three unearned runs to score. That being said, he also struck out just one batter and issued two walks while allowing four hits, so it is not just on the defense. Liberatore should absolutely not be trusted for a variety of reasons next week for his scheduled start against the Dodgers.
STL • Pitcher • #52
9 months ago
It was Liberatore’s first start since July 11, and while he picked up the loss, that has more to do with lack of run support than ineffective pitching. A Victor Scott error that allowed a run to score didn’t help, either. Liberatore walked two and struck out three, and saw his ERA drop to 4.04 while throwing 49-of-77 pitches for strikes. He’s lineup to start again Friday in a rematch with the Padres.
STL • Pitcher • #52
9 months ago
Liberatore will take the ball on Saturday night against San Diego for his first start since July 11. The 25-year-old righty had his first outing after the All-Star break skipped in an effort to manage his workload heading into the home stretch. He’s emerged as a full-fledged mid-rotation stabilizer this season, compiling a respectable 4.13 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 80/22 K/BB ratio across 100 1/3 innings (18 starts) after mostly pitching in relief the past two years.
Source: MLB.com
STL • Pitcher • #52
9 months ago
It’s a welcome development for fantasy managers as Liberatore will sidestep an awful matchup at Coors Field. However, it does eliminate a potential two-start week. The positive news here is that Liberatore is completely healthy. St. Louis is going to give him some extra rest in an effort to manage his workload since he’s already eclipsed his previous career-high mark for innings pitched in the big leagues with two months left in the season. It’ll be Michael McGreevy coming up to make a spot start on Monday against Colorado.
Source: Katie Woo
STL • Pitcher • #52
9 months ago
Liberatore gave up nine hits, walked one and struck out none. The 25-year-old left-hander had allowed six runs in his last four starts (24 innings) combined. Liberatore will take a 4.13 ERA and 80/22 K/BB ratio in 100 1/3 innings into the All-Star break.
STL • Pitcher • #52
10 months ago
Liberatore walked four, but he mostly got away with it, as just two of the 15 balls in play against him were hard-hit. One of those was a wind-aided homer from Michael Busch. Liberatore has allowed a total of six runs over his last four starts, lowering his ERA from 4.17 to 3.70. He’ll likely face the Braves on Friday.
STL • Pitcher • #52
10 months ago
Liberatore walked five today, but he was facing a team that just isn’t hitting at the moment. The Guardians had three hard-hit balls (all against Liberatore) today, two of which were routine flies from José Ramírez. JoJo Romero, Riley O’Brien and John King each pitched hitless innings afterwards to complete the shutout. Liberatore improved to 6-6 with a 3.70 ERA. He’ll pitch in Wrigley against the Cubs next weekend.
STL • Pitcher • #52
10 months ago
Liberatore threw just 85 pitches to get 21 outs. Interestingly, the spin rates on all his pitches tonight were 100-160 rpms better than his season averages. His fastball was up most of all, averaging 2,242 rpms versus a season mark of 2,083. Whatever he was doing differently, we hope it sticks. He’s due to face the Guardians on Sunday.
STL • Pitcher • #52
10 months ago
It snaps a three-start losing skid. Liberatore allowed five hits, walked none and struck out four, which sounds pretty good. Of course, he was facing a bottom-five offense, and his 86 pitches produced just four missed swings and 11 hard-hit balls. Liberatore should be avoided in mixed leagues for now. He’ll pitch at home against the Reds next.