RADIO
Matthew Liberatore is a priority waiver wire pickup for fantasy baseball. He is a starting pitcher prospect sleeper for week 10.
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 34% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: Matthew Liberatore made the most of his season debut on May 17 for the Cardinals. He battled through five strong innings pitched while opposing former Cy Young winner, Corbin Burnes. Liberatore ended up getting the win in this outing with help from the improving Cardinals offense who have finished the past 10 days with a 7-3 record.
Liberatore mixed in his impressive curveball with his four-seam fastball that averaged 95 mph in this start and topped out at 97 mph. He allowed just six base runners while totaling six strikeouts on 95 pitches. He followed up his imposing season debut with a two-earned run appearance over one inning of work on Sunday versus the Dodgers. He allowed two base runners and struck out one.
Cardinals management, including manager Oliver Marmol, have made multiple questionable decisions so far this season regarding player development, so Liberatore’s bullpen appearance should surprise no one at this point. Fantasy managers will have to monitor Liberatore over the next few days to make sure he’s not used again out of the bullpen, which would allow him to make his second start of the season against the Guardians this weekend.
Liberatore’s strong season debut came at a perfect time for the club as they’ve struggled to find consistency from their starting rotation this season. They rank in the bottom half of the league with a team ERA of 4.34. Starting pitching has been a strength in the past for the organization as they’ve missed their Hall of Fame catcher, Yadier Molina’s presence behind the dish this season.
Liberatore has shown improvement this season in the minors as he has a remarkable 2.77 ERA through seven starts at Triple-A, posting a 51:15 K:BB in 39 IP. He ranked second in strikeouts at the time of his promotion behind only Andrew Abbott of the Reds in that department, who spent time at Double-A this season.
A starting rotation battle seems to be taking place between Liberatore and Steven Matz for the final spot. Fantasy managers should have faith that the former first-round pick can outlast the veteran Matz, for the final spot as the team has seen all that Matz has to offer at this point in his career. Liberatore hopes he can put the 5.97 ERA in seven starts last year to rest as he makes strides to distance himself in the starting rotation competition.
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