Cardinals lose 5-4 to Blue Jays after a bullpen collapse by Helsley & Maton. Can Miles Mikolas stop the skid in the June 10 matchup? Recap & preview.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
One minute, Busch Stadium was electric, celebrating an Iván Herrera three-run bomb that seemed to seal a comeback win. The next, a stunned silence. That was the story of Monday night's brutal 5-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, a game that exposed fresh cracks in the Cardinals' bullpen and left the team desperate for a stabilizing win tonight.
The Blue Jays now lead the all-time series against the Cardinals 15-14, adding another layer of historical stakes to tonight's game.
The loss was a tale of two relievers. First, closer Ryan Helsley, who has been nearly automatic, surrendered a game-tying solo shot to Jonatan Clase in the top of the ninth. Then, in the 10th, Phil Maton took the mound and couldn't escape, giving up a go-ahead double to Alejandro Kirk that scored the automatic runner. The loss dropped Maton's record to 0-2 and served as a harsh reminder of the bullpen's recent fragility, turning what should have been a celebratory night—sparked by Herrera's homer and a run-scoring single from Willson Contreras—into a demoralizing defeat.
All eyes turn to veteran Miles Mikolas (4-2, 3.96 ERA) to play the role of stopper tonight. He'll face a formidable opponent in Toronto's Chris Bassitt (6-3, 3.56 ERA). Both teams enter the contest with identical 36-30 records, making this a pivotal game in the three-game set. The Cardinals need a deep, effective start from Mikolas to not only secure a win but also to give their taxed bullpen a much-needed breather. With Contreras back in the lineup, the offense will look to build an early lead and rewrite the script from last night.
While the big-league club deals with its current struggles, the future continues to brew in the farm system. Recent reports highlight a wave of talent that could impact the team sooner rather than later. Infielders JJ Wetherholt and Thomas Saggese are knocking on the door, while on the pitching side, names like Quinn Mathews and Michael McGreevy could offer second-half contributions. Keep an especially close eye on Tekoah Roby, who has been lights-out in the minors after battling injuries in 2024. His arm could be a significant asset for a bullpen in need of reliable options.
Tonight is more than just another game in June. It's a test of resilience for a Cardinals team that just had its heart ripped out. A strong performance from Mikolas and a clean win would do wonders to calm the nerves surrounding the bullpen. A second straight loss, however, would amplify the concerns and put immense pressure on the series finale. The Birds need to prove that last night's collapse was a blip, not a trend.
