photo: Riley O’Brien (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
The St. Louis Cardinals went 3-5 for the week, but head into the break with a series win over Atlanta. Ivan Herrera and Riley O’Brien are All-Stars. Our history feature outlines former first round-drafted high school outfielders.
Cardinals draft 23 players
The 2026 version of the Major League Baseball Draft wrapped up on Sunday, with the Cardinals making their 23 player selections over the two-day period.
The team had the 13th pick in the first round and they selected Trevor Condon, an 18-year-old outfielder from Etowah High School in Woodstock, GA. The 5’11” left-handed batter is the first high school outfielder taken by the Cardinals in the first round since Dylan Carlson in 2016. (Jordan Walker, picked in the first round in 2020, was drafted as a third baseman).
The Cardinals made seven selections on Day 1, which included the first four rounds plus three compensation picks. The final six selections were RHP Tegan Kuhns from the University of Tennessee, SS Rocco Maniscalco from Oxford High School in Alabama, OF Andrew Williamson from University of Central Florida, RHP Dawson Montesa from University of West Virginia, OF Caden Ferraro from Texas Tech, and SS Dee Kennedy from Kansas State University.
Rounds 5-20 were conducted on Sunday. Those picks are: RHP Cal Randall (UCLA), SS Owen Henne (Seton Hill), RHP Derek Schaefer (Ariz St), LHP Luke Harrison (U of Texas), C Jayden Lobliner (U of San Diego), RHP Nick Bonn (Cal Poly), RHP Jacob Haley (S. Alabama), RHP Drew Horn (Middle Tenn St), OF Matthew Thomas (Cal St Northridge), RHP Jaden Alba (Ariz St), RHP Brian Garmon II (U of South AL), RHP Dallas Moran (Stetson U), 3B Jacob Johnson (St. Mary’s College), OF Gabe Camacho (UC San Diego), RHP Clayton Freshcorn (Texas A&M), and OF Kollin Ritchie (Oklahoma St).
Welcome to all the new Cardinals.
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Two Cardinals added to All-Star Game
As is typical for the All-Star Game, players who were not originally named are chosen to replace players who are unable to participate due to injury or other reasons, such as pitchers who are scheduled to pitch the Sunday before the break.
Two Cardinals players have been chosen as replacements to join outfielder Jordan Walker on the National League roster. They are RHP Riley O’Brien and C/DH Iván Herrera.
O’Brien was selected to replace Pirates RHP Paul Skenes, who is unable to participate because he made a start on Sunday. O’Brien has been the closer for the Cardinals this season and currently has 24 saves.
Herrera was more recently named as a replacement for Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani, who is unable to play due to knee inflammation.
They join teammate Jordan Walker and manager Oli Marmol, who was chosen by NL Manager Dave Roberts to be on his coaching staff for Tuesday’s contest from Philadelphia.
Game Recaps
Monday, July 6, 2026 – Cardinals 3, Brewers 4
The Cardinals were edged by the Milwaukee Brewers in the first of five games at Busch Stadium.
Starter Dustin May pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowed four hits and fanned seven.
Justin Bruihl relieved May and surrendered one run in 1 1/3 innings. Ryan Fernandez yielded three runs, two earned, without recording an out and took the loss. Ryne Stanek hurled a scoreless seventh. Gordon Graceffo tossed the final two scoreless innings.
The Cardinals went up 2-0 in the third inning. Pedro Pagés singled. JJ Wetherholt reached on a fielder’s choice. Jordan Walker walked. Nelson Velázquez grounded into a force out of Walker at second as Pagés came home. José Fermín singled to score Wetherholt.
St. Louis added a run in the sixth to increase the lead to 3-0. Velázquez doubled and scored on a single by Masyn Winn.
The Brewers put up four runs in the seventh to take the lead at 4-3 and they held it.
The Cardinals scored three runs on seven hits. Winn was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Fermín was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Nathan Church was caught stealing.
Church and Fernandez each made a fielding error.
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 – Cardinals 3, Brewers 4 (Game 1)
The Cardinals lost again to the Brewers by a 4-3 score in the first game of a twin bill on Tuesday. Starter Matt Svanson, appearing as an opener, pitched one scoreless inning with one strikeout.
Bruce Zimmermann followed Svanson, called up from Memphis for this one game. The left hander threw five innings, gave up three runs on six hits, walked one and struck out two.
The Cardinals again went up 2-0, this time in the first inning. JJ Wetherholt was hit by a pitch. Jordan Walker later hit a two-run home run.
The Brewers tied the game in the top of the second. St. Louis retook the lead with a run in the home second on a solo home run by Iván Herrera.
Milwaukee added single runs in the sixth and the seventh to take a 4-3 lead.
The Cardinals scored three runs on five hits. Herrera was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Walker had two RBI.
Pedro Pagés had a passed ball.
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 – Cardinals 2, Brewers 10 (game two)
The Cardinals were pounded by the Brewers in the second game of the twin bill. Starter Hunter Dobbins pitched five innings, gave up three runs on four hits, walked three and fanned four. Dobbins took the loss.
Called up for the game, Jared Shuster relieved Dobbins and surrendered seven runs in 1 1/3 innings. Gordon Graceffo threw 2/3 of a scoreless inning. Utilityman Bryan Torres tossed the final two scoreless innings.
The Brewers took a 1-0 lead in the third and added two runs in the fifth to lead 3-0.
The Cardinals scored twice in the sixth to cut the lead to 3-2. Jordan Walker singled. Nelson Velázquez followed with a two-run home run.
Milwaukee posted a seven-run seventh to blast ahead 10-2.
The Cardinals scored two runs on four hits. Walker was 2-for-4. Velázquez had two RBI.
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 – Cardinals 5, Brewers 1
On Wednesday, the Cardinals defeated the Brewers in Game 4 of the five-game series.
Starter Michael McGreevy pitched 6 1/3 innings, gave up one run on five hits, walked one and fanned six to earn his fourth win.
Luis Gastelum relieved McGreevy and threw 2/3 of a scoreless inning in his MLB debut. JoJo Romero hurled a scoreless eighth. Riley O’Brien tossed a scoreless ninth.
The Cardinals went ahead 2-0 in the first inning. Masyn Winn doubled and scored on a double by Jordan Walker. Walker came home on a double by Alec Burleson.
St. Louis added a run in the fourth on a solo home run by José Fermín. They made it 5-0 in the sixth on a two-run home run by Burleson.
The Brewers scored their only run in the seventh to cut the lead to 5-1.
The offense scored five runs on seven hits. Burleson was 2-for-4 with three RBI. Walker was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Walker stole his 12th base of the season.
Thursday, July 9, 2026 – Cardinals 4, Brewers 8
The Cardinals lost the final game of the series by the score of 8-4. Starter Andre Pallante pitched five innings, gave up six runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out two.
Luis Gastelum relieved Pallante and surrendered one run in the sixth. Gordon Graceffo followed with two scoreless innings of relief. Matt Svanson yielded one run in the ninth.
The Brewers took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. They added four runs in the third.
St. Louis cut the lead to 6-1 in the fourth. Alec Burleson doubled and scored on a single by Lars Nootbaar.
The Cardinals added three runs in the sixth to cut the lead to 6-4. JJ Wetherholt was hit by a pitch. Burleson walked. Jordan Walker blasted a three-run home run.
Milwaukee put up one run in the seventh and another in the ninth to win 8-4.
The Cardinals scored four runs on five hits. Wetherholt was 2-for-3. Walker had three RBI. Burleson scored two runs.
Friday, July 10, 2026 – Cardinals 2, Braves 1
The Cardinals beat the Braves by the score of 2-1 in the first of a three-game home series on Friday.
Starter Kyle Leahy pitched a rain delay-shortened three scoreless innings, allowed one hit and struck out two.
Following a three-hour rain delay, George Soriano relieved Leahy and surrendered one run in 1 1/3 innings. Justin Bruihl hurled 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Ryne Stanek, JoJo Romero, and Riley O’Brien each tossed a scoreless inning. Romero earned the win.
The Braves took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning. The Cardinals tied the game in the sixth. JJ Wetherholt walked. Iván Herrera singled. Jordan Walker singled to score Wetherholt.
St. Louis took the lead 2-1 in the eighth on a solo home run by Jimmy Crooks.
The Cardinals scored two runs on five hits. Herrera was 2-for-4.
Saturday, July 11, 2026 – Cardinals 4, Braves 1
The Cardinals were the winners over the Braves by a 4-1 score at Busch Stadium on Saturday.
Starter Matthew Liberatore pitched six scoreless innings, allowed four hits, walked one and fanned six to earn his fifth win.
Luis Gastelum relieved Liberatore and surrendered one run in the seventh. George Soriano hurled a scoreless eighth. Riley O’Brien tossed a scoreless ninth.
The Cardinals struck in the first inning on a three-run home run by Lars Nootbaar. They added a run in the fourth. Nootbaar walked, stole second base and scored on Blaze Jordan’s single.
The Braves plated their only run in the seventh to cut the lead to 4-1.
The Cardinals scored four runs on five hits. Nootbaar had three RBI and two runs scored.
Nootbaar stole his first base.
Sunday, July 12, 2026 – Cardinals 3, Braves 4
The Cardinals fell to the Braves in the final game of the weekend series by the score of 4-3.
Starter Dustin May pitched four innings, gave up two runs on two hits, walked four and fanned four.
Justin Bruihl relieved May and surrendered one run in 1 2/3 innings. Gordon Graceffo threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Ryne Stanek hurled a scoreless inning. JoJo Romero yielded one run in the ninth and took the loss.
The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Jordan Walker drew a walk and stole second base. Alec Burleson doubled to score Walker.
The Braves tied the game in the second and added a run in the fourth to take the lead.
In the top of the sixth, the Braves increased their lead to 3-1. St. Louis answered with two runs in the home sixth to tie the game. Walker singled. Lars Nootbaar walked. Masyn Winn singled. José Fermín singled to plate Walker and Nootbaar.
Atlanta broke the tie in the top of the ninth with a run to win 4-3.
The Cardinals scored three runs on four hits. Fermín had two RBI. Walker scored two runs.
Walker stole his 13th base.
Winn made a throwing error. Alec Burleson had a fielding miscue.
The Big Picture
The Cardinals finished the week at home with a record of 3-5. The lost four of five to the Brewers and won two of three from the Braves. They go into the break with a record of 50-45 and remain in third place in the NL Central, 8.5 games back of the Brewers. St. Louis is one game out of the third Wild Card spot.
The offense slowed down in comparison to previous weeks and needs to pick it back up. The top offensive performances by OPS for the week are Jimmy Crooks (1.042 in 6 at-bats) and Jordan Walker (.958). The next closest was Lars Nootbaar at .788.
At the bottom were Nathan Church (.096), Bryan Torres (.251), Pedro Pagés (.286), Masyn Winn (.392), JJ Wetherholt (.417) and Blaze Jordan (.467).
The rotation performed well for the most part except for Andre Pallante, who had an ERA for the week of 10.80 due to a poor start against the Brewers on Thursday. Dustin May appears to be laboring a bit following his complete game shutout of the Padres several weeks ago. Hunter Dobbins was brought up to pitch the second game of the doubleheader with the Brewers on Tuesday and was okay. Bruce Zimmermann, who was brought up to start the first game, was quickly designated for assignment afterward. The doubleheader did not go well for the Cardinals. In fact, the entire Brewers series did not go well for the Cardinals.
The bullpen was fine except for a spot appearance by the twice outrighted Jared Shuster, who was also brought up for the doubleheader and suffered the same fate a third time after he blew his chance by giving up seven runs in his 1 1/3 inning performance.
The bullpen received a new member in Luis Gastelum, who was added to roster during the Brewers series. He gave up a couple of home runs since making his debut, which is unusual for him, though it is the big leagues. He deserves some adjustment time.
The All-Star Break is here and will provide a well-deserved rest for the players who aren’t performing in the All-Star Game. Hopefully for the Cardinals, the rest will show up in the team’s performance after the break. They are falling behind the Cubs and Brewers and have the Pirates nipping at their heels. The performance of the team needs to improve.
The Cardinals return to play next weekend in Phoenix against the Diamondbacks.
Stay tuned as the season progresses.
NL Central Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB |
| Milwaukee | 59 | 37 | 0.615 | |
| Chicago | 54 | 42 | 0.563 | 5 |
| St. Louis | 50 | 45 | 0.526 | 8.5 |
| Pittsburgh | 50 | 47 | 0.515 | 9.5 |
| Cincinnati | 43 | 52 | 0.453 | 15.5 |
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.
Transactions
- 7/6 The Cardinals placed RHP Max Rajcic on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to July 4. Right elbow soreness.
- 7/6 The Cardinals recalled RHP Gordon Graceffo from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/7 The Cardinals optioned RHP Ryan Fernandez to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/7 The Cardinals recalled RHP Hunter Dobbins from the Memphis Redbirds (27th man for the doubleheader).
- 7/7 The Cardinals selected the contract of LHP Bruce Zimmermann from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/7 The Cardinals selected the contract of LHP Jared Shuster from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/7 The Cardinals designated LHP Bruce Zimmermann for assignment.
- 7/7 The Cardinals transferred RHP Max Rajcic from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
- 7/8 The Cardinals optioned RHP Hunter Dobbins to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/8 The Cardinals designated LHP Jared Shuster for assignment.
- 7/8 The Cardinals selected the contract of RHP Luis Gastelum from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/10 The Cardinals sent LHP Jared Shuster outright to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/12 The Cardinals sent LHP Bruce Zimmermann outright 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.
- RHP Max Rajcic (right elbow soreness) was placed on the 15-day injured list on July 6 and transferred to the 60-day injured list the next day, July 7. Rajcic is seeking a second opinion on his elbow.
Looking Ahead
Following the All-Star break, the Cardinals will resume play on the road in Phoenix for three games with the Diamondbacks.
The road trip ends in Los Angeles with a three-game series against the Angels.
The final homestand in July begins with a makeup game with the Diamondbacks on Thursday, July 23, which was originally scheduled to be played on Thursday, June 25 at Busch Stadium, but was postponed due to rain. Following the make-up game, the Cardinals have a weekend series against the Reds.
The final series of the homestand is four games with the Cubs.
A road trip begins on the final day of July to Toronto for a weekend series with the Blue Jays. The road trip concludes in New York for a three-game series against the Yankees.
Blast from the Past
The annual MLB Draft took place on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12. The 2026 edition is the 62nd annual.
The first draft took place on June 8-9, 1965 in New York City. The Cardinals selected RHP Joe DiFabio from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, in the first round. Though DiFabio had success in the Cardinals minor league system, he never pitched in the major leagues.
In this year’s draft, the Cardinals selected OF Trevor Condon from Etowah High School in Woodstock, GA. Condon is the first high school player taken by the Cardinals in the first round since Jordan Walker in the five-round 2020 draft.
Though Walker currently plays in the outfield, he was drafted as a third baseman. In the history of the MLB draft, the Cardinals have only taken seven high school outfielders in the first round prior to Condon.
Below is a list of all seven, starting with the most recent. The list contains the player’s name, the year he was drafted, and his high school. Only players who were drafted as outfielders are included.
- Dylan Carlson – Carlson was selected in the first round in 2016 from Elk Grove High School in CA. Carlson was pick #33 overall.
- Nick Plummer – Plummer was taken in the first round in 2015 from Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Plummer was pick #23. Though Plummer never made it to the major leagues for the Cardinals, he did play in 14 games with the 2022 Mets.
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Colby Rasmus (Getty Images) Colby Rasmus – Rasmus was drafted in the first round in 2005 from Russell County High School in Seale, AL. Rasmus was pick #28.
- Shaun Boyd – Boyd was selected in the first round in 2000 from Vista High School in Vista, CA. He was pick #13. Boyd never made it to the major leagues.
- Paul Coleman – Coleman was drafted in the first round in 1989 from Frankston High School in Frankston, TX. He was pick #6 overall. Coleman never made it to the major leagues.
- Andy Van Slyke – Van Slyke was chosen in the first round in 1979 from New Hartford High School in New Hartford, NY. He was pick #6.
- Butch Hairston – Hairston was taken in the first round in 1968 from Roth High School in Dayton, OH. He was pick #19. Hairston never reached the major leagues.
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