RADIO
Dustin May's Next Start Being Skipped Due to Back Tightness
The St. Louis Cardinals are skipping right-hander Dustin May's (back) next start on Saturday against the Miami Marlins after he dealt with some lower-back tightness in Kansas City following his complete game the start prior on June 15 against the San Diego Padres, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. Right-hander Andre Pallante will now take the hill on Saturday, with righty Kyle Leahy going in the series finale on Sunday. May will start the third game of the series next week against the Atlanta Braves. May struggled his last time out against the Royals, lasting just two innings while allowing six earned runs on six hits with one walk and two strikeouts. The 28-year-old's complete-game effort against the Padres appears to have taken a toll on him physically in the short term. Not only will May not start this weekend, but his next start will come against the first-place Braves. The former third-rounder by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 has been up and down in 2026 in his first year in St. Louis with a 4.30 ERA (3.32 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, and a still mediocre 22.5% strikeout rate in 83 2/3 innings pitched.
Source: Belleville News - Jeff Jones
Source: Belleville News - Jeff Jones
Dustin May a Must-Add Arm Ahead of Potential Breakout
Once considered a top prospect during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, current St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May has battled injuries and inconsistency throughout his career to this point. However, the 28-year-old looks like he may be putting it all together in 2026. Across 81 2/3 innings (14 starts) on the year, May has recorded a 5-6 record with a 3.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts. He's been particularly dominant of late, recording 15 strikeouts across 15 scoreless innings over two starts against the New York Mets and San Diego Padres. May's average fastball velocity is back up to 97 miles per hour after it dipped to 95.5 mph in 2025. He generates a ton of ground balls (46.2% ground ball rate) and limits home runs (0.55 HR/9). Particularly given his pitcher-friendly home environment in St. Louis, May profiles as a must-add starting pitcher on the waiver wire ahead of what could be a breakout season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Quinn Mathews Quickly Emerging as Priority Stash Target?
St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Quinn Mathews has begun to turn the corner at Triple-A and is quickly emerging as a top prospect to stash among pitchers. Mathews turned in a dominant debut season in the St. Louis system in 2024 but has yet to return to that level of play. In 2025, he logged only 99 innings and saw those troubles linger early in 2026. Through his first 35 2/3 innings this season, the southpaw posted a hefty 5.55 ERA with a 1.63 WHIP. During this stint, Mathews posted a rough 44:30 K:BB. However, over his last 21 innings of work (four starts), the former Stanford standout has held a stellar 1.71 ERA with a much-improved 28:9 K:BB. While he may need to show this success over a longer stretch, he has a clear path to the majors given St. Louis' weak rotation. He is a viable target in the 12+ team leagues ahead of Week 13, but can quickly enter priority stash range if he turns in a strong conclusion to June.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Dustin May a Top Pickup Ahead of Potential Post-Hype Breakout?
Across 81 2/3 innings (14 starts) in 2026, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May has recorded a 5-6 record with a 3.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts. The 28-year-old has been excellent in his last two times out, throwing 15 scoreless innings with 15 strikeouts while allowing just five hits across starts against the New York Mets and San Diego Padres. A former top prospect during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, May has largely struggled to live up to the hype throughout his MLB career to this point. However, the right-hander looks like he could finally be in the midst of a long-awaited breakout in 2026. May's average fastball velocity is back up to 97 miles per hour, and he owns a strong 16.4% K-BB rate. He's also logged a 46.2% ground ball rate and has been very difficult to take deep (0.55 HR/9). Given his recent success, May profiles as a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers in need of pitching.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dustin May Dominates Padres, Hurls Complete-Game Shutout
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Dustin May had all of his stuff working during his start at Busch Stadium on Monday night in the team's 3-0 victory. May threw a complete-game, nine-inning shutout with only one hit allowed, one walk, and nine strikeouts to win his fifth game of the year and lower his season ERA to 3.75. In his last two games, May has thrown 15 shutout innings with five hits allowed, two walks, and 15 strikeouts, so he's clearly been locked in the zone lately. The 28-year-old former third-rounder by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 had a perfect game going against San Diego through six innings before walking outfielder/second baseman Fernando Tatis Jr. to start the seventh frame. Third baseman Manny Machado broke up the no-hitter later that same inning. Since May 27, May has given up three earned runs or fewer in four straight starts, which has built his case as a waiver-wire pickup in fantasy baseball. May could have another stellar start this weekend on Sunday against the Kansas City Royals. Run to the waiver wire and grab him. He's only rostered in 53% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Quinn Mathews Finding His Footing at Triple-A, Worth Stashing Ahead of Debut?
St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews has started to turn it on over his last two starts with Triple-A Memphis, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out 15 across 12 scoreless innings. The 25-year-old's overall line for the season is less appealing, as he's pitched to a 4.01 ERA with a 15.8% walk rate across 51 2/3 innings (12 starts). Still, Mathews is considered to be one of the top pitching prospects in the Cardinals' system and could be proving that he's figured something out with his recent performance. With St. Louis in the thick of the National League playoff picture and searching for high-end starting pitching at the big-league level, it could be only a matter of time before Mathews is called up for his MLB debut. In deeper leagues, fantasy managers may want to consider stashing Mathews off the waiver wire.
Source: MLB Pipeline
Source: MLB Pipeline
Is Matthew Liberatore a Viable Deep-League Streamer?
Across 66 1/3 innings (13 starts) in 2026, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore has recorded a 3-3 record with a 4.48 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and 61 strikeouts. While Liberatore's top-line numbers don't leap off the page, he's been a bit better of late. Over his last four starts (19 1/3 innings), the 26-year-old owns a 31.4% strikeout rate. Liberatore's overall K-BB rate for the season remains an unimpressive 12.1%, and his xERA is 5.19, so his fantasy upside appears limited. Still, the left-hander is locked into a rotation spot in St. Louis and has begun to demonstrate some strikeout upside. In deeper leagues, Liberatore could be a worthy starting pitcher streamer to target on the waiver wire in the right matchups. Liberatore's next scheduled start is on Saturday in Minnesota against the Twins.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dustin May Has Another Solid Outing on Tuesday, Priority Target Off the Waiver Wire
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Dustin May continued his hot stretch on Tuesday, as he went six innings, allowing four hits, no runs, one walk, and struck out six. Over two starts in June, he has a 2.31 ERA, and has lowered his season ERA down to 4.21 with a 1.25 WHIP and 66 strikeouts in 72 2/3 innings pitched. The 4.21 ERA doesn't tell the whole story for May, as he allowed 13 earned runs in his first two starts of the season, and since then, has been rock solid, which is evident by his 3.63 xERA, which is closer aligned to his career ERA (3.93) compared to his surface line stats. May has been leaning on his four-seamer and cutter more this year and less on his sweeper and sinker, and it has generated strong results for him. His fastball velocity is up 1.3 mph on the season, and his walk rate is down compared to his career 8.0 percent mark (6.6 percent in 2026). Additionally, he is still generating a healthy groundball rate (45.5 percent). May is a much stronger candidate in points and quality start leagues, as he has demonstrated the ability to work deeper into games, while he is averaging under a strikeout per inning with an average WHIP. Regardless, May has put together a nice stretch over his past 11 starts, and fantasy managers should target him if he is available.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Dustin May Flirts With No-Hitter, Strikes Out Nine in Loss to Brewers
In a cruel twist of fate on Wednesday against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers on the road, St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Dustin May took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, but he and the Cards ultimately fell by a score of 2-1 on the road. May was outstanding, allowing two runs (one earned) on just two hits while walking none and striking out a season-high nine batters in seven innings pitched. Despite the valiant effort, the 28-year-old took his sixth loss of the season. Garrett Mitchell broke up the no-no in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead off the frame with a double to left-center field, and then he allowed a bunt single to Luis Rengifo. Both runners came around to score, and that's all it took. May has pitched much better over his last 53 2/3 innings, posting a 3.02 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 44:14 K:BB, but he hasn't won in his last six outings. His strong showing on Wednesday lowered his season ERA to 4.57. May is only rostered in 14% of Yahoo leagues, but after his near no-hitter, and with an upcoming matchup against the Texas Rangers, that number should be on the rise.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Matthew Liberatore Fans Career-High 10 Batters in a Loss on Monday
St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore took his third loss of the year on Monday night on the road against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers, but it was still a very strong effort on the mound. Liberatore allowed three earned runs on seven hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out a career-high 10 batters in five innings of work. The 26-year-old southpaw now has 19 strikeouts in his last two starts, but he also has failed to pitch into at least six full innings in five of his last six outings. He has allowed 11 earned runs in 13 2/3 innings in his last three starts as well, so it hasn't all been great recently. Liberatore still has a 4.76 ERA on the year despite his strong showing against the Brew Crew on Monday night, adding 53 strikeouts and 29 walks in 56 2/3 frames across 11 starts for the Red Birds. The strikeouts lately have been nice, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues should take this as an opportunity to try and sell high. Liberatore is only rostered in 11% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Cardinals to Promote Second-Round Pick Brycen Mautz for MLB Debut on Sunday
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Brycen Mautz will make his MLB debut against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. The Cardinals need an extra arm after a doubleheader on Saturday. They've decided to give Mautz the call after he posted solid numbers at Triple-A Memphis this season. Across nine starts, Mautz has a 2.90 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and a 43:24 K:BB ratio this season. Mautz is a second-round pick of the Cardinals from the 2022 Draft. The expectation is that he'll head back to Triple-A after this outing, but he could be an interesting streaming option for Sunday's slate.
Source: Derrick Goold
Source: Derrick Goold
