Buy or Sell: 2022 Projections for St. Louis Cardinals Rotation

Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers the pitch in the second inning of game one of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 20, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers the pitch in the second inning of game one of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 20, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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St. Louis Cardinals
Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Busch Stadium on September 11, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Adam Wainwright

2022 Projection: Record: 13-8, ERA: 3.63, Innings: 181, SO: 154, BB: 55, WHIP: 1.21

Verdict: Buy

After an incredible age 39 season where Adam Wainwright went 17-7 with an ERA of 3.05 over 206 innings, some regression should be expected. Fortunately for the Cardinals, even these projected regressions still bode extremely well for a starting pitcher on the cusp of 40 years old.

Wainwright, when healthy, has always been an innings eater, which will be huge for a club that desperately needs stability. Wainwright will be the club’s opening day starter, and there is reason to believe that is probable last season will be another good one.

Jack Flaherty 

2022 Projection: Record: 9-5, ERA: 3.58, Innings: 108, SO: 119, BB: 36, WHIP: 1.12

Verdict: Buy

After already projecting to start the season on the IL, Jack Flaherty will need to remain healthy when he returns to hit his innings projection, but there is reason to believe he can put up those kinds of numbers in 2022.

Flaherty, when healthy, has some of the best stuff in all of baseball. It wasn’t long ago that Flaherty had one of the greatest second halves in MLB history, and both the Cardinals and their fans should be rooting for a resurgence. If he can return and pitch to the ability that Baseball Reference projects, that gives St. Louis a solid 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation.