Helsley (2-0) was credited with the win in Saturday's 6-5 victory over the Diamondbacks, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.
The official scorer elected to give Helsley the win and not the save, despite the fact that he entered the game with the Cardinals ahead by a run, after both Kyle Leahy and Steven Matz were ineffective in the eighth trying to protect a 4-1 lead. Helsley hasn't been as sharp in 2025 as he was last season, and he sports a 3.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 19:11 K:BB through 18 innings while converting 10 of 12 save chances.
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Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Stingy in no-decision
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Liberatore came away with a no-decision Saturday, allowing one run on six hits over seven innings in a 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks. He struck out four without walking a batter.
The 25-year-old southpaw served up a solo shot to Randal Grichuk in the fifth inning but was otherwise very efficient as he fired 61 of his 88 pitches for strikes. The quality start was Liberatore's seventh in 10 outings this season, and he's given up two runs or fewer in eight straight trips to the mound, posting a 1.91 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 40:8 K:BB through 47 innings over that span. Liberatore will look to keep rolling in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend against the Rangers.
Contreras (back) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Arizona.
Contreras was a late scratch from Friday's lineup due to back spasms, and he'll need at least another day to recover. Alec Burleson will fill in for him at first base and bat fifth.
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Cardinals' Pedro Pages: Sitting down Saturday
Rotowire
Pages isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus Arizona.
After going 0-for-3 during Friday's series opener, Pages will grab a seat on the bench while Yohel Pozo catches for left-handed starter Matthew Liberatore.
Scott went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 4-3 win over Arizona.
Scott has put together a modest four-game hitting streak, submitting multiple knocks in two of those outings. The speedy outfielder has 10 multi-hit efforts this year, and he's batting .317 (20-for-63) with one home run, eight RBI, 13 runs scored and five stolen bases over his last 21 games. While Scott has plenty of upside in the speed department, his overall fantasy appeal will likely remain restricted as long as he's hitting near the bottom of the Cardinals' lineup.
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Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Holds on for 10th save
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Helsley registered the save in Friday's 4-3 win over Arizona after allowing two runs on two hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.
It wasn't easy for Helsley, who hung a curveball in the strike zone that left the yard via a two-run homer by Gabriel Moreno. The hard-throwing right-hander was still able to hold on and preserve the victory, successfully converting his 10th save in 12 opportunities on the campaign. Helsley's 1.47 WHIP is a bit concerning, but he does have a respectable 3.71 ERA and 17:10 K:BB over 17 frames and remains St. Louis' go-to weapon in the ninth inning.
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Cardinals' Miles Mikolas: Six strong innings in fourth win
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Mikolas (4-2) notched the win Friday against the Diamondbacks after allowing one run on four hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out four.
It was the third time this season that Mikolas hurled six innings, and he's given up one run or fewer in each of these instances. Additionally, the veteran right-hander has conceded greater than three runs on just one occasion in 2025, albeit during a nine-run implosion in his second start of the year that left a huge mark on his ratios. His lack of strikeout stuff will likely continue to limit his overall fantasy potential, but Mikolas still owns a quality 3.51 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 31:16 K:BB ahead of his next scheduled outing against the Orioles.
Cardinals' Willson Contreras: Scratched from Friday's lineup
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Contreras was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Diamondbacks due to back spasms, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
With Contreras removed from the Cardinals' lineup, Alec Burleson will shift over to first base, Brendan Donovan will move to left field and Nolan Gorman will start at second base. Contreras has slashed .299/.385/.493 with three home runs and 16 RBI across 78 plate appearances since the beginning of May.
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Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Re-evaluated after setback
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Thompson is back in St. Louis to be re-evaluated after suffering a setback with his injured left lat, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Thompson was diagnosed with a left lat strain in early March and shut down for about a month. It's not clear where he was at in his throwing program when he experienced a setback, but more information about his status should be available after he's looked at by doctors in St. Louis.
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Cardinals' Jordan Walker: Absent from Cardinals' lineup
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Walker is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Diamondbacks.
Walker has now been out of the lineup each of the last four times the Cardinals have faced a right-hander. Alec Burleson is handling right field, Ivan Herrera is at designated hitter and Pedro Pages is doing the catching.
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Cardinals' Matt Svanson: Rejoins big-league bullpen
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The Cardinals recalled Svanson from Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Svanson has pitched well during his time with the big club this season, permitting two runs with a 7:3 K:BB across 6.2 frames. He will operate in middle relief out of the St. Louis bullpen.
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Cardinals' Chris Roycroft: Optioned to Triple-A
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The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Roycroft has had two different stints in the majors this season and neither of them have been successful, as he's yielded a 10 runs (eight earned) with a 6:8 K:BB over 10 innings. His spot on the roster and in the bullpen will be absorbed by Matt Svanson.
Pallante (4-3) took the loss Wednesday against the Tigers, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks across 5.2 innings. He struck out three.
After going 14.1 innings without allowing a walk in his previous two starts, Pallante issued four free passes Wednesday, matching a season high. Through 10 starts (56 innings) this year, the right-hander has pitched to a 4.18 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP and 35:20 K:BB. Pallante is currently lined up to face the Orioles on the road in his next outing.
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Cardinals' John King: Relegated to low-leverage role
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King has been scored upon in seven of 16 appearances this season out of the Cardinals' bullpen.
King was a trusted reliever for manager Oliver Marmol the previous two seasons, collecting a 2.75 ERA across 75 appearances. The sinker baller is still inducing grounders at an elite 64.3 percent rate, but an ugly 4.91 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 8:6 K:BB over 14.2 frames has reduced the southpaw to low-leverage appearances in 2025, as King's lone hold this season came back on Opening Day.
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Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar: Rare day off Wednesday
Rotowire
Nootbaar is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.
Nootbaar will get his third day off of the season and will sit for the first time since April 18. The Cardinals will go with Brendan Donovan in left field and Nolan Gorman at second base in Wednesday's matinee.
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