Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals finalize their Opening Day pitching staff as fans wonder: can fresh faces power a playoff push? Matthew Liberatore, Michael McGreevy, and newcomer Dustin May headline the revamped rotation, with Andre Pallante seizing the fifth spot after a bounce-back spring. JD Hafron breaks down each pitcher’s spring stats and potential, spotlighting the competitive bullpen battle, including...

St. Louis Cardinals ride Matthew Liberatore's dominant final spring start as Opening Day excitement builds. Can Liberatore anchor the rotation and set the stage for a Redbirds resurgence? JD Hafron spotlights Liberatore’s electric five-inning outing against the New York Mets, breaking down his ace-level command and confidence on the mound. The episode covers Ivan Herrera’s power display behind the...

Nelson Velázquez stakes his claim as the St. Louis Cardinals’ breakout star of spring, powering the offense while fierce bullpen competition heats up with Opening Day looming. JD Hafron recaps the Cardinals’ double sweep of the Nationals—highlighting clutch performances from Alec Burleson, standout relief work by Riley O’Brien and George Soriano, and impressive showings in the Spring Breakout game...

St. Louis Cardinals name Matthew Liberatore as Opening Day starter, while sending shockwaves through the fanbase as Richard Fitts gets optioned to Memphis. JD Hafron breaks down the Cardinals’ latest pitching rotation decisions, Andre Pallante’s redemption bid, and Kyle Leahy’s impressive outing against the Houston Astros. Spotlighting Nathan Church’s defensive heroics, Tai Peete’s clutch homer, a...

St. Louis Cardinals struggle offensively as Dustin May shines on the mound in a 1-0 loss to the Washington Nationals. Can the Cardinals rebound from their lackluster bats before Opening Day, or will lineup concerns haunt this young squad all season? JD Hafron spotlights Dustin May’s dominant outing, the bullpen’s consistency with George Soriano, Justin Bruihl, and Scott Blewett, and the continued...

St. Louis Cardinals trim the spring roster, setting the stage for fierce bullpen battles and breakout performances. Can red-hot Nelson Velazquez force his way onto the Opening Day lineup after leading all hitters in home runs and RBIs this spring? 00:00 Roster Cuts & Bullpen 08:24 Nationals Game Recap 21:20 Ivan Herrera Update & 26-man Roster Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https:/...

Nolan Gorman finds his power surge right when the St. Louis Cardinals need it most—can this hitting transformation spark a new era at Busch Stadium? JD Hafron breaks down Gorman's recent hot streak, the changes behind his improved spring performance, and manager Oli Marmol’s candid reaction to the young infielder’s offseason adjustments. The episode also spotlights Jordan Walker’s ongoing struggle...

Has outfielder Nelson Velazquez done enough to earn a spot on the roster on Opening Day? Nolan Gorman continues to show signs of progression at the plate while Michael McGreevy is continues look like a reliable member of the pitching staff! Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-st-louis-cardinals/ Locked On MLB League-Wide: Every Team, Pros...

St. Louis Cardinals’ offense sputters as pitching shines—can emerging stars like Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman rise to meet high expectations this season? With Opening Day just around the corner, JD Hafron spotlights lineup concerns, analyzing Walker’s puzzling lack of power and Gorman’s encouraging strides despite low averages. Key roster battles heat up, especially in left field, with Nathan Ch...

St. Louis Cardinals shake up their spring training roster as Joshua Baez, the team's hottest hitter in camp, gets sent down despite leading the club in home runs and OPS. Why is Baez heading to AAA after outperforming veteran options, and could his absence impact Opening Day lineups? JD Hafron and Thomas Gauvain dissect the Cardinals' outfield battle, spotlighting Nelson Velasquez, Nathan Church,...

St. Louis Cardinals shake up their catching corps, favoring veteran Yohel Pozo while top prospect Jimmy Crooks heads to AAA. Is a youth movement being delayed, or is experience crucial with Opening Day on the horizon? JD Hafron examines the Cardinals' latest roster cuts, the crowded and deep catcher position, and which bats could ignite a sluggish spring offense. Highlights include standout pitchi...

St. Louis Cardinals’ pitching shines as Dustin May makes an electric spring debut, topping out at 99 mph, while top prospect Quinn Mathews flashes his potential with 7 strikeouts and no walks—could he be a future rotation anchor? JD Hafron breaks down standout performances, including JJ Wetherholt’s on-base dominance and Nolan Gorman’s long ball, raising big questions about the Opening Day lineup...

St. Louis Cardinals youth movement shines as Richard Fitts, Ivan Herrera, and Joshua Baez headline against Nicaragua, but offensive struggles spark big questions about the season ahead. Can Matthew Liberatore maintain his edge amidst rotation battles, and will top prospects power the next era at Busch Stadium? JD Hafron breaks down the Cardinals’ exhibition loss, spotlighting Fitt's electric arsen...

St. Louis Cardinals edge the Miami Marlins in a dramatic 3-2 pitcher’s duel, capped by Colton Ledbetter’s walk-off hit and rookie Joshua Baez’s savvy use of the ABS Challenge system. Can this infusion of youth and technology signal a turning point for the Cardinals’ season? JD Hafron unpacks the game’s pivotal moments, the latest spring training cuts, and ongoing fan backlash to the Oli Marmol con...

St. Louis Cardinals spark debate by extending manager Oli Marmol, despite recent disappointing seasons. Is trust the secret weapon for rebuilding a contender, or a recipe for mediocrity? JD Hafron explores why management and players rally behind Marmol, despite fan outrage and calls for change. Key points include the importance of continuity, Yadier Molina’s ongoing role, plus fan reactions rangin...

St. Louis Cardinals ignite their offense with four home runs in a commanding 9-4 win over the Houston Astros’ split squad. Alec Burleson smashes a three-run blast, Matthew Liberatore showcases ace potential with three solid innings, and catchers Yohel Pozo and Jimmy Crooks go deep, sparking questions about the Cardinals’ crowded backstop situation. Is Burleson underrated, and how will the team man...

Pitching steals the spotlight as the St. Louis Cardinals' young arms shine in spring training, igniting hope for a bounce-back season. JD Hafron breaks down standout performances from starters like Andre Pallante, Richard Fitts, and Packy Naughton, while celebrating Nolan Gorman’s opposite-field home run and Chase Davis’s breakout game at the plate. With the pitching staff delivering impressive st...

St. Louis Cardinals shake up expectations with aggressive base running and rising young talent. Can José Fermín’s versatility and JJ Wetherholt’s impact at the plate transform the team’s offensive outlook for 2026? JD Hafron spotlights the Cardinals’ spring training win over the Miami Marlins, dissecting key moments like late-inning rallies, Michael McGreevy’s pitching resilience, and the emergenc...

St. Louis Cardinals ignite spring optimism as Kyle Leahy impresses on the mound in a gritty 6-5 win over the Houston Astros. Can this pitching performance shake up the race for rotation spots? Prospect Rainiel Rodriguez flashes his bat and discipline in a standout debut, while Jordan Walker shows positive signs at the plate—could this be the breakout season Cardinals fans have been hoping for? JD...

Baseball is back, but the St. Louis Cardinals stumble out of the gate, dropping their spring training opener 6-2 to a split-squad Washington Nationals. JD Hafron spotlights standout performances from Matthew Liberatore on the mound, Nathan Church’s power surge, and Nolan Gorman’s encouraging contact rate. Are these early signs of a breakout season for the Cardinals’ young core? The episode tackles...

JJ Wetherholt’s meteoric rise puts St. Louis Cardinals fans on notice—could the top prospect be the answer to revitalizing a rebuilding franchise? JD Hafron examines Wetherholt’s spring training buzz, his impressive minor league stats, and national recognition as a potential NL Rookie of the Year. The conversation weighs the pros and cons of placing Wetherholt on the Opening Day roster, spotlighti...

St. Louis Cardinals face early roster uncertainty as Lars Nootbaar’s injury rehab and potential trade rumors overshadow spring training. Can the fan-favorite outfielder finally deliver a breakout season, or will young prospect Joshua Baez and in-house options seize the spotlight in left field? With top performers Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado, and Willson Contreras gone, the Cardinals’ youth move...

St. Louis Cardinals fans get early answers as JD Hafron and Thomas Gauvain forecast breakout stars and potential award-winners for the 2026 season. Can Masyn Winn seize team MVP honors and anchor the infield alongside rising talents like JJ Wetherholt? Will Victor Scott II’s blazing speed turn him into an elite Gold Glove center fielder, and which dark horse—Nolan Gorman or Jordan Walker—will emer...

Cardinals legends Ozzie Smith and Yadier Molina return to camp, igniting excitement and setting a new standard for hands-on leadership as St. Louis targets a culture reset for its young squad. Can their guidance and a flood of familiar faces like Adam Wainwright and David Freese accelerate the club’s return to postseason form? JD Hafron breaks down the latest transactions, including the re-signing...

St. Louis Cardinals embrace an underdog mentality as crushing league projections fuel a “why not us?” attitude heading into 2026. With critics doubting their chances after a wave of roster changes, JD explores how low expectations and youthful energy could spark a surprise run. Will this revamped Cardinals squad rally behind newcomers and rising talent to defy division rivals and skeptics? Key top...