photo: Dustin May (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
The sluggish offense limited the St. Louis Cardinals to a second straight 2-5 week. As the trade deadline looms, Dustin May pitched a gem in what may be his final outing with the team. Our history feature recounts recent deadline trades by the Cardinals.
Game Recaps
Monday, July 27, 2026 – Cardinals 3, Cubs 7
The St. Louis Cardinals fell to the Chicago Cubs by a 7-3 score at Busch Stadium on Monday.
Starter Matthew Liberatore pitched 3 2/3 innings, gave up three runs on eight hits, walked two and fanned five. Liberatore took the loss.
Hunter Dobbins relieved Liberatore and surrendered four runs in 5 1/3 innings of relief.
The Cubs scored single runs in the first and second innings to lead 2-0.
The Cardinals scored one run in the home half of the second on a solo home run by José Fermín.
Chicago made it 3-1 in the third and 5-1 in the fifth.
St. Louis put up two runs in the sixth to shrink the lead to 5-3. Jordan Walker drew a walk and later scored on a single by Masyn Winn. Bryan Torres plated Winn on a ground-rule double.
The Cubs posted a two-run ninth to win the game 7-3.
The Cardinals scored three runs on seven hits. Winn was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Wetherholt stole his 11th base. Liberatore picked a runner off first.
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 – Cardinals 2, Cubs 10
The Cubs routed the Cardinals by a 10-2 score on Tuesday. Starter Michael McGreevy pitched 1 2/3 innings, gave up seven runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out two. McGreevy took the loss.
Gordon Graceffo relieved McGreevy and surrendered one run in 2 1/3 innings. Justin Bruihl threw two scoreless innings. Peter Strzelecki yielded one run in two innings. Matt Svanson relinquished one run in the ninth.
The Cubs got on top quickly with two in the first and five runs in the second to lead 7-0.
The Cardinals scored a run in the fourth. Alec Burleson walked. Lars Nootbaar and Masyn Winn singled. Burleson came home on a sac fly by Nathan Church.
Chicago added single runs in the fifth, eighth and ninth to make it 10-1.
St. Louis put up one more run in the home ninth for the final score of 10-2.
The Cardinals scored two runs on seven hits. Winn was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 – Cardinals 3, Cubs 2 (10 innings)
The Cardinals edged the Cubs to win the third game of the series in extra innings on Wednesday.
In what may have been his last outing as a Cardinal, starter Dustin May pitched five scoreless innings, allowed one hit, walked two and struck out three.
Justin Bruihl, Ryne Stanek, George Soriano and Riley O’Brien each tossed a scoreless inning. Luis Gastelum surrendered two runs, one earned, in the 10th, but still received the win.
The game was scoreless until the top of the 10th, when the Cubs scored two runs.
The Cardinals answered in the bottom of the inning with three runs to win the game in a walk off. Nathan Church was the tiebreaker runner. Lars Nootbaar singled. JJ Wetherholt walked. Jordan Walker grounded into a force out and Church scored. Nootbaar was out at third. Iván Herrera doubled to plate Wetherholt and Walker.
The Cardinals scored three runs on seven hits. Herrera was 3-for-5 with two RBI.
O’Brien made an error on a pickoff attempt.
Thursday, July 30, 2026 – Cardinals 2, Cubs 4 (10 innings)
The Cardinals lost the final game and the series with the Cubs by a 4-2 score in extra innings on Thursday.
Starter Andre Pallante pitched 6 1/3 innings, gave up two runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out three but received a no-decision.
George Soriano relieved Pallante and collected the final two outs of the seventh. Ryne Stanek and Riley 0’Brien each tossed a scoreless inning. Luis Gastelum surrendered two runs, one earned, in the 10th and took the loss this time.
The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Lars Nootbaar and Masyn Winn walked. Bryan Torres singled to score Nootbaar.
The Cubs scored single runs in the fourth and seventh to take a 2-1 lead.
St. Louis re-tied the score with a run in the home seventh.
The 2-2 score remained through regulation. In the 10th, the Cubs plated their tiebreaker runner and another runner to go ahead 4-2. The Cardinals did not answer.
The offense scored two runs on 10 hits. JJ Wetherholt was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Torres was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Wetherholt stole his 12th base. Nootbaar made a throwing error.
Friday, July 31, 2026 – Cardinals 1 at Blue Jays 3
The Cardinals were beaten by the Blue Jays by a 3-1 score in the first of a three-game series in Toronto.
Starter Kyle Leahy pitched six innings, gave up one run on six hits, walked one and struck out three.
Justin Bruihl relieved Leahy and collected one out. Newcomer Peter Strzelecki surrendered two runs in one inning and took the loss. Gordon Graceffo tossed the final 2/3 of a scoreless inning.
The game was scoreless until the fifth, when the Cardinals plated one run. Nathan Church singled and stole second base. JJ Wetherholt walked. Jordan Walker singled to score Church.
The Blue Jays tied the game in the sixth and added two runs in the eighth to win 3-1.
The Cardinals scored one run on five hits. Church was 2-for-4 and stole his sixth base.
Saturday, August 1, 2026 – Cardinals 1 at Blue Jays 5
The Cardinals were again held to one run as they were defeated by the Blue Jays by the score of 5-1 on Saturday.
In his MLB debut, starter Quinn Mathews pitched five innings, gave up two runs on six hits, walked three and struck out three. Mathews took the loss.
Luis Gastelum relieved Mathews and surrendered three runs in 1 1/3 innings. Peter Strzelecki tossed the final 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Toronto scored single runs in the third and fourth to go up 2-0.
St. Louis scored their only run of the game in the sixth. Iván Herrera doubled and came home on a double by Masyn Winn.
The Blue Jays padded their lead to 5-1 with a three-run seventh inning.
The Cardinals scored one run on 11 hits. Jordan Walker was 2-for-5. Alec Burleson and Blaze Jordan were 2-for-4.
JJ Wetherholt was caught stealing.
Sunday, August 2, 2026 – Cardinals 5 at Blue Jays 1
On Sunday, the Cardinals avoided the sweep by the Blue Jays by winning the final game of the series.
Starter Matthew Liberatore pitched six scoreless innings, allowed one run, walked one and fanned seven.
Ryne Stanek relieved Liberatore and threw a scoreless seventh. George Soriano surrendered the tying run in the eighth but received the win. In a non-save situation, Riley O’Brien tossed a scoreless ninth.
The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Nathan Church walked and scored on a double by Lars Nootbaar.
The 1-0 lead held until the eighth when the Blue Jays tied the game. In the top of the ninth, the Cardinals rallied for four runs. Masyn Winn walked. Bryan Torres singled. José Fermín singled to score Winn. Blaze Jordan grounded into a force out, eliminating Fermín. Nootbaar reached on a throwing error and Torres scored. Jordan Walker plated Jordan and Nootbaar on single.
The Cardinals scored five runs on eight hits. Walker was 2-for-5 with two RBI.
Church made a fielding error.
The Big Picture
The Cardinals eked out a 2-5 record for the week, winning one game in each of the Cubs and Blue Jays series. The offense continues to struggle while the bullpen performance is more of the same.
The team remains in fourth place in the NL Central, having fallen below .500 with a record of 55-57. They are just 1.5 games out of a share of the division cellar, in part due to a 5-12 record since the All-Star Break. This poor stretch affirmed the club’s role as a seller at the trade deadline.
The Cardinals scored three or fewer runs in the first six games of the week. That includes only one run in the first two games against Toronto. Only one Cardinal had an OPS for the week above .900, reserve Bryan Torres (.917). Still, fewer players were below. 500 than the week prior. The bottom dwellers are José Fermín (.468), Pedro Pagés (.333) and Jimmy Crooks (.182).
Crooks suffers from the Cardinals carrying too many catchers on the roster. Whether he could improve his offense if more playing time was offered is uncertain. Even on the days he does catch he is almost always not allowed to play the entire game, as he has been pinch hit for on a regular basis. He also rarely hits against lefties.
Pedro Pagés receives even fewer ABs, which begs the question of why he remains on the roster. Perhaps the trade rumors will come to pass on Monday.
Iván Herrera has received the overwhelming majority of the at bats but his OPS was only .517 for the week. The upcoming trade deadline may or may not resolve the situation. Even if one of the catchers is traded, Leo Bernal is waiting in the wings and the three-catcher situation could remain. The reasoning for the need for three catchers has never been clear.
The starting pitching has been fine except for one major hiccup from Michael McGreevy. It happens every so often, so if it isn’t repeated with any frequency, it is not an issue.
Dustin May is likely to be traded before his next start on Monday. Quinn Mathews was brought up to start on Saturday, and he pitched adequately for a major league debut. Matthew Liberatore pitched his once every so often good start, just in time to perhaps avoid being moved to the bullpen. Andre Pallante and Kyle Leahy both pitched well.
The bullpen has not improved and likely never will in its present form. Matt Svanson was optioned to Memphis to make room for Quinn Mathews, who remains on the roster for now. One or more of the current relievers may be traded at the deadline, so replacements could be on the way, though the pitchers available in Memphis for that role are not particularly inspiring.
The Cardinals are in New York to play the Yankees to begin the week. They end the week at home against the Rockies.
Stay tuned as the season progresses.
NL Central Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB |
| Milwaukee | 69 | 42 | 0.622 | |
| Chicago | 63 | 49 | 0.562 | 6.5 |
| Pittsburgh | 56 | 57 | 0.496 | 14 |
| St. Louis | 55 | 57 | 0.491 | 14.5 |
| Cincinnati | 53 | 58 | 0.477 | 16 |
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
- Chandler Rome, The Athletic Houston beat writer, reported that the Astros have interest in acquiring OF Lars Nootbaar. The Astros have been on the lookout for a lefty hitting outfielder for some time. Rome states that the Cardinals’ asking price for Nootbaar is high, but that could change as the 5 p.m. CT Monday trade deadline approaches.
- Jeff Passan of ESPN writes that in addition to the usual suspects Dustin May, Lars Nootbaar, JoJo Romero and Ryne Stanek, the Cardinals are also open to offers for first baseman Alec Burleson.
- Ken Rosenthal, Katie Woo, and Will Sammon indicate in their most recent Athletic piece that though the Cardinals don’t believe Iván Herrera’s long-term future is at catcher, they are not inclined to move him because they like his bat. On the other hand, citing information obtained from “rival executives”, Jimmy Crooks may be the likeliest of their catchers to be dealt. On the other hand, Derrick Goold of the Post Dispatch reported earlier in the week that the Cardinals are listening to offers on C Pedro Pagés.
- In the same article cited above, Goold also lists closer Riley O’Brien as a potential trade candidate.
Transactions
- 7/28 The Cardinals selected the contract of RHP Peter Strzelecki from the Palm Beach Cardinals.
- 7/28 The Cardinals optioned RHP Hunter Dobbins to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 8/1 The Cardinals designated RHP Tink Hence for assignment.
- 8/1 The Cardinals selected the contract of LHP Quinn Mathews from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 8/1 The Cardinals optioned RHP Matt Svanson to the Memphis Redbirds.
Injury Report
- 3B Ramón Urías was placed on the 60-day injured list on June 12. He has elbow lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) in both elbows. Urías was hit by a pitch on the left elbow in a rehab game. His rehab has been paused but there is hope he can return to rehab game action this coming week.
- RHP Max Rajcic had right UCL reconstruction surgery (Tommy John) on July 23. Rajcic will miss the remainder of the 2026 season and likely all of 2027.
- LHP JoJo Romero (appendicitis) remains on the 15-day injured list, effective July 14. Romero had an emergency appendectomy on July 16. Romero played catch on July 30 as part of his process to ramp back up. There still is no timeline announced for his return. Same as with Urias, this likely limits the trade market for the impending free agent.
Looking Ahead
The current road trip ends in New York for three games against the Yankees. Michael McGreevy is scheduled to make the Monday start. The pitchers for the final two games are not named.
Following an off-day Thursday, August 6, the Cardinals return to Busch Stadium for a weekend series with the Rockies.
The homestand ends with three versus the Phillies.
After a travel day on Thursday, August 13, the Cardinals head to Wrigley Field for a weekend series with the Cubs. The road trip continues with a four-game set against the Reds at Great American Ballpark.
The road trip concludes in Philadelphia’s Citizen’s Bank Park for a weekend series facing the Phillies.
Blast from the Past
As the trade deadline looms on Monday, August 3 at 5pm CT, this week’s Blast from the Past looks at trade deadlines past for the Cardinals.
The deadline is a moving target in recent years, as the soon to be expiring CBA gave the Commissioner authority to set the deadline every year for a date between July 28 and August 3.
Every year from 1923 until 1985, the trade deadline was on June 15. In 1986, the trade deadline was moved to July 31, where it remained until the current CBA went into effect in 2022.
Listed below are trades made between July 27 and August 2 by the Cardinals in past seasons. The date of the trade and the players involved are detailed.
- July 27, 2011 – The Cardinals traded Colby Rasmus, Trever Miller, Brian Tallet, and P.J Walters to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitchers Edwin Jackson, Octavio Dotel, Marc Rzepczynski, and OF Corey Patterson. St. Louis went on to win the World Series.
- July 27, 2018 – The Cardinals traded pitcher Sam Tuivailala to the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Seth Elledge.
- July 27, 2025 – In a dump trade, the Cardinals dealt pitcher Erick Fedde to the Atlanta Braves for cash.
- July 29, 2024 – The Cardinals dealt infielder Tommy Edman to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-team trade with the Chicago White Sox. The Cardinals received pitcher Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham from the White Sox.
- July 29, 2018 – The Cardinals traded first baseman Luke Voit to the New York Yankees for pitchers Giovanny Gallegos and Chasen Shreve.
Scott Rolen (Getty Images) - July 29, 2002 – In arguably their best deadline deal during this period, the Cardinals traded infielder Placido Polanco, and pitchers Bud Smith and Mike Timlin to the Phillies for future Hall of Fame third baseman Scott Rolen and pitcher Doug Nickle.
- July 30, 2023 – The Cardinals traded pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton to the Texas Rangers for infielder Thomas Saggese, and pitchers John King and Tekoah Roby.
- July 30, 2021 – The Cardinals traded pitchers John Gant and Evan Sisk to the Twins for pitcher J.A. Happ.
- July 30, 2021 – The Cardinals traded outfielder Lane Thomas to the Washington Nationals for pitcher Jon Lester.
- July 31, 2025 – The Cardinals traded pitcher Steven Matz to the Red Sox for infielder Blaze Jordan.
- July 31, 2018 – The Cardinals traded outfielder Tommy Pham to the Tampa Bay Rays for pitchers Genesis Cabrera and Roel Ramirez and outfielder Justin Williams.
Mark McGwire (Getty Images) - July 31, 2010 – The Cardinals traded outfielder Ryan Ludwick to the Padres in a three-team trade with the Cleveland Indians. The Cardinals received pitcher Nick Greenwood from the Padres and pitcher Jake Westbrook from the Indians.
- July 31, 1997 – The Cardinals traded pitchers Eric Ludwick, TJ Mathews, and Blake Stein to the Athletics for first baseman Mark McGwire. The rest is history.
- August 1, 2023 – The Cardinals traded SS Paul DeJong to the Blue Jays for pitcher Matt Svanson.
- August 2, 2022 – The Cardinals traded outfielder Harrison Bader to the Yankees for pitcher Jordan Montgomery. Bader, now with the Giants, is back in the news for the wrong reason.
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