Though it’s only been half of a season, Cardinals pitcher Michael McGreevy is quietly putting together one of the better rookie seasons by a starter in recent years.
McGreevy and the Cardinals embark on their final road trip, which begins Monday at 8:45 p.m. (St. Louis time) in San Francisco vs. the Giants.
The right-hander McGreevy (7-3, 4.08 ERA) has made 14 starts thus far and could make two more, one Monday and one more in the season finale Sunday in Chicago.
Half of them have qualified as quality starts, the best rate among Cardinals starters. A quality start is defined as six or more innings and three or fewer runs allowed.
McGreevy is also on pace to become the first Cardinals rookie to start at least 15 games and finish with a better-than-average ERA, using the ballpark-adjusted ERA+ metric, since 2019. Only five Cardinals have done so since 2000, most recently Dakota Hudson (2019) and Jack Flaherty (2018).
McGreevy’s sinker, with far more vertical movement than most, is among baseball’s most effective.
Last time out, McGreevy walked a career-high three batters in going seven innings and not allowing a run vs. the Reds. But those walks were purposeful, McGreevy said, as he learns to work around batters who can inflict the most damage. His walk rate remains in the top 3% of baseball.
The Giants will start 42-year-old right-hander Justin Verlander (3-10, 3.75 ERA). The nine-time All-Star didn’t allow a run in six innings vs. the Cardinals earlier this month at Busch.
The Cardinals are 76-80 and need to go 5-1 in this final week to avoid a losing season.
The Giants are 77-79 and 3-8 in their last 11, effectively ending their playoff hopes.
How to watch Cardinals at Giants
When: 8:45 p.m. Monday
Where: Oracle Park in San Francisco
TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (live stream link); KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the Cardinals Radio Network as well as MLB.tv.
Your options to watch: Input your ZIP code and see your choices for watching Cardinals games.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Brendan Donovan, 2B
2. Iván Herrera, DH
3. Alec Burleson, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Lars Nootbaar, LF
6. Thomas Saggese, SS
7. Pedro Pagés, C
8. Jordan Walker, RF
9. Victor Scott II, CF
P: Michael McGreevy, RHP
GIANTS
1. Heliot Ramos, LF
2. Rafael Devers, 1B
3. Willy Adames, SS
4. Matt Chapman, 3B
5. Bryce Eldridge, DH
6. Casey Schmitt, 2B
7. Patrick Bailey, C
8. Jerar Encarnacion, RF
9. Drew Gilbert, CF
P: Justin Verlander, RHP
Injury report
Willson Contreras, 1B (right bicep tightness): Contreras, who had been dealing with pain in his biceps for more than a week, went on the 10-day injured list on Sept. 17. The move ends his season, though he’s expected to be with the team at Wrigley Field for the final regular-season series. The biceps tightened up during an at-bat Monday, forcing him to leave the game early. He’s been prescribed rest to avoid a more significant tear or shoulder injury. Updated Sept. 22
Ivan Herrera, DH/C (right elbow): Herrera is expected undergo surgery on his right elbow this offseason, manager Oliver Marmol confirmed before Sunday’s home season finale. The procedure will remove loose bodies in the joint. Herrera will then go through an offseason program emphasizing improving his throwing arm and calling games. He appeared in 14 games at catcher this season but has been used primarily as a designated hitter after two stints on the injured list because of a bone bruise in his left knee and a left hamstring strain. It is unclear if elbow surgery will alter Herrera’s offseason throwing program. Updated Sept. 21
Zack Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain): Lefty starter remains on a throwing program in Jupiter, trying to overcome some setbacks as he increased the intensity of his throws through the course of the season. He’s visited St. Louis for evaluation to monitor if the injury worsens. Thompson has been sidelined since the start of March and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in early April. There is no timetable for his return to the mound. Updated Aug. 6
Masyn Winn, SS (right meniscus tear): The shortstop will have surgery in the near future to repair slight damage to his meniscus that caused him pain for the closing months of the season. The recovery for the arthroscopic surgery is not expected to intrude on his preparation for the 2026 season. Winn planned to schedule the surgery after getting a second opinion. The Cardinals put Winn on the injured list on Sept. 13, ending his season. Updated Sept. 22
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