The St. Louis Cardinals are beginning to confront a familiar problem in their pitching staff: while their rotation has shown flashes of competence, inconsistency and a lack of length from certain starters continue to put pressure on the bullpen. Aside from a few encouraging performances from arms like Michael McGreevy, Andre Pallante, and veteran acquisition Dustin May, the group as a whole has struggled to consistently pitch deep into games.
That issue was once again highlighted after a difficult outing from left-hander Matthew Liberatore, underscoring the Cardinals’ ongoing search for stability at the back end of their rotation. With starters often failing to complete five or six innings, St. Louis has leaned heavily on its bullpen, raising concerns about long-term sustainability over a full season.
One potential solution may already exist within the organization. Right-hander Hunter Dobbins, who has already made several appearances for the Cardinals this season—both as a starter and reliever—has quietly emerged as a flexible arm capable of filling multiple roles. His versatility has positioned him as a logical candidate to help stabilize innings when the rotation falters.
This idea aligns with a growing trend around the league, particularly the approach used by the Seattle Mariners, who have successfully implemented a “piggyback” system. Rather than relying on traditional five-man rotations to carry starters deep into games, the Mariners have experimented with pairing pitchers so that one starter begins the game and another follows shortly after, effectively splitting starts and maximizing matchup efficiency.
That strategy has drawn attention from rival organizations, including St. Louis, as it offers a way to manage workload, reduce pressure on struggling starters, and better utilize depth across the pitching staff. In the Cardinals’ case, pairing someone like Dobbins with Liberatore could help bridge the gap when early exits become likely, while also preserving bullpen arms for higher-leverage situations later in the game.
Beyond rotation management, Dobbins could also serve as a valuable long relief option, stepping in during games that unravel early and helping prevent further strain on the pitching staff. His ability to provide length in multiple scenarios gives the Cardinals an internal alternative as they evaluate whether external trades are necessary ahead of the deadline.
Adopting a hybrid or piggyback-style system would also allow St. Louis to better evaluate its existing pitching depth without rushing to make costly roster moves. With several young arms still developing, the organization could benefit from maximizing internal options rather than seeking immediate outside reinforcements.
Ultimately, the Cardinals are at a crossroads with their pitching strategy. While their rotation is not without talent, inconsistency remains a recurring issue that must be addressed. Whether through experimentation with roles, expanded use of depth arms like Dobbins, or a full adoption of a Mariners-style approach, St. Louis may need to rethink how it structures its pitching usage to remain competitive over the long season.
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