St. Louis Cardinals Roster
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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Michael Siani continued his strong offensive month in Monday's 6-3 win over the Orioles. Siani went 2-for-4 with a single, a three-run home run, four RBI, and a stolen base. The 24-year-old's season slash line leaves a lot to be desired, but he is now hitting .341 with five RBI and three stolen bases in 41 May at-bats. Siani is likely widely available in fantasy leagues, and while his batting average and stolen bases may be helpful in deeper roto leagues, the Cardinals' overall offensive struggles and his spot in the bottom of the lineup may not allow for many opportunities for additional counting stats.
St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley continued his stellar start to the season in Monday's 6-3 win over the Orioles, earning his 14th save. Helsley came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first two outs on a pop-out and a groundout, allowed a walk, and ended the game with a fly-out. The 29-year-old has been rock solid for his team and fantasy managers, converting all but one save opportunity with a 1.29 ERA, a 9.86 K/9 rate, and a 1.29 BB/9 rate. Despite the Cardinals' disappointing season, he is now tied for the most saves in the league with Emmanuel Clase. Helsley should continue to be a high-end fantasy option, especially if he can continue to limit his walks.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray improved to 6-2 in Monday's 6-3 win over the Orioles. Gray pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits (including a three-run home run) and two walks with six strikeouts. He cruised through the first five innings but labored in the six, throwing over 30 pitches before motioning to manager Oli Marmol to be removed. Gray elaborated after the game, explaining that he was simply tired after getting so deep into the inning. The 34-year-old has been a fantasy stud with his new team and now owns a 2.87 ERA and 11.30 K/9 rate in eight starts and 47 IP. He will look to keep things rolling in his next projected start, which will be a decent matchup against the Cubs.
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn and second baseman Nolan Gorman are both getting a breather on Sunday against the visiting Boston Red Sox. Winn will take a seat while currently riding an eight-game hitting streak that has seen him raise his season slash line to a strong. 281/.340/.383 with a homer, 11 RBI, seven stolen bases and 13 runs scored in his first year as the full-time starter at shortstop. Brandon Crawford will play the 6 and bat sixth against Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta. Gorman has homers in each of his last two games but is still hitting only .201 (28-for-139) on the year with seven homers, 18 RBI and 55 strikeouts in 157 plate appearances in 2024. Brendan Donovan is starting at second on Sunday and is hitting sixth. Alec Burleson is in left field and hitting fifth, while Matt Carpenter is the designated hitter while batting leadoff against Pivetta.
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (forearm) arrived in the clubhouse ahead of Friday's game against the Boston Red Sox without a cast. Contreras is doing conditioning work, and he is hopeful that doctors will soon let him swing a bat with his right hand. It's a pretty remarkable turnaround for Contreras, who fractured his left forearm on May 7, and he noted that he's hopeful of returning to the Cardinals before the All-Star break in mid-July. In 31 games before going down, the 32-year-old star backstop was slashing .280/.398/.551 with six home runs, 11 doubles, 12 RBI, and two stolen bases across 128 plate appearances as St. Louis' primary backstop, and he should be stashed in the majority of fantasy leagues. Backup Ivan Herrera is worth a look in two-catcher settings for now, batting .448 (13-for-29) with five RBI during his current eight-game hitting streak.