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

By Josh Jacobs

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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Steven Matz #22 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Minnesota Twins on September 18, 2021 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
Steven Matz #22 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Minnesota Twins on September 18, 2021 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

Steven Matz

2022 Projection: Record: 10-8, ERA: 4.37, Innings: 142, SO: 138, BB: 46, WHIP: 1.32

Verdict: Sell

After signing with the St. Louis Cardinals prior to the lockout, Steven Matz projects to be the only lefty in the Cardinals rotation, barring Matthew Liberatore cracking it with projected injuries. Oddly enough though, a move away from the AL East has not treated Matz kindly in Baseball Reference projections.

After posting a 3.82 ERA over 150 innings to a record of 14-7, a move to the NL Central in front of the league’s best infield defense should improve Matz’s numbers in 2022. Although the National League now has the DH, pitching against teams like the Brewers, Reds, Pirates, and Cubs consistently should favor Matz as opposed to the Rays, Yankees, Red Sox, and Orioles.

Expect a better record from Matz, and an ERA closer to the 3.60 range for the lefty.

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