5 relievers the St. Louis Cardinals need to acquire

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 02: Manager Oliver Marmol #37 of the St. Louis Cardinals removes T.J. McFarland #62 of the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 02, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Cardinals 7-5. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 02: Manager Oliver Marmol #37 of the St. Louis Cardinals removes T.J. McFarland #62 of the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 02, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Cardinals 7-5. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – JUNE 04: Jorge Lopez #48 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 4, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – JUNE 04: Jorge Lopez #48 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 4, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Jorge Lopez

Sometimes relievers finally have their stuff “click” on their 2nd or 3rd team, and in the case of Jorge Lopez, it has happened in a big way.

Lopez is sporting an ERA of 0.79 with 11 saves in 34.1 innings of work in 2022. Pitching in the AL East is a very difficult task, yet Lopez has made it look easy this year.

Adding an arm like Lopez to pair with the electrifying stuff of Helsley, Hicks, Cabrera, and Gallegos could put the Cardinals bullpen on the level of their division rival the Milwaukee Brewers. The pressure it would take off the rotation, especially come October, would be immense as games would be shortened for the club. The club would be wise to present a package to Baltimore soon.