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Matthew Liberatore Eyeing Opening Day Start
St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitcher Matthew Liberatore wants to be the team's Opening Day starter and hopes to "force their hand" in any way during spring training. Jim Hayes of the FanDuel Sports Network reported that the southpaw has added a new pitch that he plans to unveil during camp. After spending most of 2024 in the bullpen, Liberatore was able to log a career-high 151 2/3 innings with the Cardinals last season, operating as a full-time starter. During this stretch, Liberatore posted a 4.21 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP. He struck out 122 hitters but showed high-end command, allowing walks at a low 6.2% rate. Under the hood, he generated a modest 4.90 xERA, suggesting he could take a step back in the upcoming season. Liberatore figures to compete alongside Michael McGreevy, Dustin May, and Richard Fitts for the Opening Day nod.
Source: Jim Hayes
Source: Jim Hayes
