Biggest surprise (to date) in 2025?

[sikeston bulldog2]

Oli going old school and letting starters earn their money instead of automatic pull after 5 innings and 65 pitches. He seems to be getting better in general as far as feel for the game/moment. I wonder if Brown/Descalso/Jay are offering better critiques and more bold feedback on his decisions/strategies. They don’t seem like yes-men type. Maybe he’s listening or just learned a lot from past mistakes and evolving. Something is different about him. They’re not just winning despite him, he’s contributing.

Good write.

[Goldfan]

Oli going old school and letting starters earn their money instead of automatic pull after 5 innings and 65 pitches. He seems to be getting better in general as far as feel for the game/moment. I wonder if Brown/Descalso/Jay are offering better critiques and more bold feedback on his decisions/strategies. They don’t seem like yes-men type. Maybe he’s listening or just learned a lot from past mistakes and evolving. Something is different about him. They’re not just winning despite him, he’s contributing.

This

[hullie]

I think it’s Oli. He’s continuously running the same lineup out there. Not many get away games in there. He’s letting the regulars play for the most part and it’s working.

[sikeston bulldog2]

I think the starters as a group should get a number.

[Talkin' Baseball]

1) The work of Brant Brown. It was obvious that there were big problems with the offense, but the amount of progress made in such a short time is astounding.
2) While there have been better performers, I am stunned by the improved effectiveness of Mikolas. My comment before the season was that if it were up to me, he wouldn't pitch one inning for the Cardinals this year. I was ready to release him if they couldn't trade him. He has not only been serviceable, he has been pretty good. He has a 3.77 ERA overall, and an ERA in the 2's if we could throw out the Boston game. Didn't see that coming.
3) The defense of Walker and Contreras.

[Futuregm2]

That Gray has our worst ERA through 9 turns in the rotation.

Libby’s breakout

VS2’s hitting

[thetank2]

1. No need to lose 100 games in a season for years in order to get good draft choices.

[BrockFloodMaris]

It's been an interesting Cardinal season so far. What has surprised you most this season with regards to YOUR 2025 St Louis Cardinals? I'll throw out some ideas, but maybe you have others...

1. The emergence of Libby as a starting pitcher?
2. Contreras defense at first base?
3. Walker's defense in RF?
4. Inability to trade Nado?
5. The ascension (offensively) of Herrera?
6. The work of Brant Brown?
7. The way Scott has seized the CF position?
8. The lackluster Busch III attendance?

I'm going with #1. I thought his future was as a starter, but right now I'm amazed at how good he's been and his overall command and presence on the mound.

You?

1-7 for sure. I think most of us saw a dip in home attendance coming. Who would have thought the Cards would be five or so games over .500 with not much offensive production from JW or NG?

[SamTheMan]

I gotta go Libby & Starting Pitching
VS II is a pleasant surprise as well

[Ike Hammett]

It's been an interesting Cardinal season so far. What has surprised you most this season with regards to YOUR 2025 St Louis Cardinals? I'll throw out some ideas, but maybe you have others...

1. The emergence of Libby as a starting pitcher?
2. Contreras defense at first base?
3. Walker's defense in RF?
4. Inability to trade Nado?
5. The ascension (offensively) of Herrera?
6. The work of Brant Brown?
7. The way Scott has seized the CF position?
8. The lackluster Busch III attendance?

I'm going with #1. I thought his future was as a starter, but right now I'm amazed at how good he's been and his overall command and presence on the mound.

You?

I vote for #8 on the list. Cardinals have a good team with exciting play and some big name players. An excellent record at home and maybe the best ballpark with facilities in the world with fair prices. For real baseball fans it's baseball heaven. Definitely my favorite place to be in the World!

[cardstatman]

1. The emergence of Libby as a #1 starting pitcher
2. The way Scott has seized the CF position
3. The effectiveness of Kyle Leahy in the bullpen
4. The effectiveness of Steven Matz in the bullpen
5. The rebound of Miles Mikolas
6. The work of Brant Brown
7. The ascension (offensively) of Herrera
8. Walker's defense in RF
9. The entire team's improvement in defense
10. Winning 12 of 13 while shorthanded on trustworthy relievers.
11. Marmol's discovery that using Matz, McGreevy, Graceffo as piggy back starters saves his short bullpen AND avoids using his worst relievers.
12. Contreras defense at first base
13. The lackluster Busch III attendance
14. That we have 4 catchers on the MLB roster; the emergence of Yohel Pozo
15. That Phil Maton $2,000,000 was an incredible free agent signing.

[MIDMOBIRDTWO]

1. The emergence of Libby as a #1 starting pitcher
2. The way Scott has seized the CF position
3. The effectiveness of Kyle Leahy in the bullpen
4. The effectiveness of Steven Matz in the bullpen
5. The rebound of Miles Mikolas
6. The work of Brant Brown
7. The ascension (offensively) of Herrera
8. Walker's defense in RF
9. The entire team's improvement in defense
10. Winning 12 of 13 while shorthanded on trustworthy relievers.
11. Marmol's discovery that using Matz, McGreevy, Graceffo as piggy back starters saves his short bullpen AND avoids using his worst relievers.
12. Contreras defense at first base
13. The lackluster Busch III attendance
14. That we have 4 catchers on the MLB roster; the emergence of Yohel Pozo
15. That Phil Maton $2,000,000 was an incredible free agent signing.

We don't have four catchers. See number 12 above. He is a first baseman.

[cardstatman]

1. The emergence of Libby as a #1 starting pitcher
2. The way Scott has seized the CF position
3. The effectiveness of Kyle Leahy in the bullpen
4. The effectiveness of Steven Matz in the bullpen
5. The rebound of Miles Mikolas
6. The work of Brant Brown
7. The ascension (offensively) of Herrera
8. Walker's defense in RF
9. The entire team's improvement in defense
10. Winning 12 of 13 while shorthanded on trustworthy relievers.
11. Marmol's discovery that using Matz, McGreevy, Graceffo as piggy back starters saves his short bullpen AND avoids using his worst relievers.
12. Contreras defense at first base
13. The lackluster Busch III attendance
14. That we have 4 catchers on the MLB roster; the emergence of Yohel Pozo
15. That Phil Maton $2,000,000 was an incredible free agent signing.

We don't have four catchers. See number 12 above. He is a first baseman.

You are correct.

Just thought of:
6.5. Cards are winning despite Walker and Gorman busting at the plate.
9.5. Cards have no pitcher injuries through the first 29% of the season (unless you count Zack Thompson) while the Memphis rotation is decimated. No injured position players at the moment.

[MIDMOBIRDTWO]

1. The emergence of Libby as a #1 starting pitcher
2. The way Scott has seized the CF position
3. The effectiveness of Kyle Leahy in the bullpen
4. The effectiveness of Steven Matz in the bullpen
5. The rebound of Miles Mikolas
6. The work of Brant Brown
7. The ascension (offensively) of Herrera
8. Walker's defense in RF
9. The entire team's improvement in defense
10. Winning 12 of 13 while shorthanded on trustworthy relievers.
11. Marmol's discovery that using Matz, McGreevy, Graceffo as piggy back starters saves his short bullpen AND avoids using his worst relievers.
12. Contreras defense at first base
13. The lackluster Busch III attendance
14. That we have 4 catchers on the MLB roster; the emergence of Yohel Pozo
15. That Phil Maton $2,000,000 was an incredible free agent signing.

We don't have four catchers. See number 12 above. He is a first baseman.

You are correct.

Just thought of:
6.5. Cards are winning despite Walker and Gorman busting at the plate.
9.5. Cards have no pitcher injuries through the first 29% of the season (unless you count Zack Thompson) while the Memphis rotation is decimated. No injured position players at the moment.

That is a tribute to the training staff. Most teams have a lot of injuries, you see them on the bottom line on the baseball network every day.