Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion
The Cardinals (53-40) dropped their first series of the second half of the season to the Diamondbacks in Busch Stadium over the weekend. The Cardinals still maintain a 6 game lead in the division as the Brewers struggled as well.
Things got off to a rocky start on Friday night, at least offensively, as the Cardinals would only push across one run, but that would be all they needed to win the game. Jack Flaherty went 6 innings striking out 10 and not allowing a run on 2 hits. The combination of A.J Puk, Michael King and Ryan Helsley would put the game away in the final three innings. The lone RBI was from Brendan Donovan who had 3 hits, hopefully breaking his slump.
Saturday and Sunday, pitching wasn't strong and the bats were quiet. On Saturday, Reid Detmers gave up 4 runs on 8 hits over 5 innings of work. The bullpen would only allow one run in the final 4 innings, but the offense never put anything together expect for Oswald Peraza's RBI double in the 8th. Sunday, Michael McGreevy was roughed up for the 2nd straight start. He left in the 4th inning giving up 6 runs on 10 hits. The bullpen would give up 2 more and the offense would put up just one run, as the Cardinals fell 8-1.
The Cardinals stay at home with a 3 game series against the Tigers starting Monday night. The Tigers who are in the wild card hunt, made a move to acquire JT Realmuto from the Giants in exchange for pitching prospects to bolster their lineup.
The Cardinals made their first big move of the trade season by acquiring SP Mike Soroka from the Nationals in exchange for SP Tink Hence, OF Nick Plummer, and RHP Mike Myers, whom the Cards drafted last season.
The Cardinals needed to find something to bolster their rotation after losing Jameson Taillon for the year due to a shoulder injury. Michael McGreevy was recalled from Memphis and made a great first start, but his last two starts have been ugly. McGreevy wasn't really expected to be the top option to fulfill a rotational void due to him missing most of last year at Memphis with a shoulder issue, but with Cooper Hjerpe injured, Jake Woodford not on the 40 man and Tink Hence struggling, he got the chance.
Mike Soroka signed a 3 year deal with the Nationals back in 2025, with this year being his final season, as part of the Nationals plan to rebuild. Well the rebuild is taking a bit longer than expected, so he became available once the calendar hit July and the Nationals found themselves distanced from the wild card chase. Soroka has had a great year despite his less than stellar 8-5 record, but his ERA is just over 3 with a WHIP just over 1. Over 80% of his starts this year have been quality starts.
For the Nationals they are getting RHP/SP Tink Hence whom the Cardinals had expected to crack the rotation by now, but he just couldn't stay consistent. He was demoted from Memphis to Double A Springfield in June and has struggled their with an ERA of 6.32 and a WHIP over 2. He posted similar numbers in Memphis. But he's 24 years old with control, so the Nats are hopeful a change of scenery will do wonders for him.
30 year old OF Nick Plummer is a reserve role player that can be productive as indicated by his .282 average with the Cardinals as he was the 4th outfielder on the roster. Plummer will give the Nationals some veteran depth to an outfield that is young throughout the organization.
RHP Mike Myers is a 19 year old bullpen arm that has dominating stuff. Myers pitched in 5 games for Springfield before the trade throwing 5.2 innings with 10 strikeouts, no walks, no runs allowed, and just 2 hits given up. He has a fastball, splitter, and slider combination that is overpowering and frustrating to hitters. He was a 3rd round pick for the Cardinals in the 2026 draft and was expected to quickly climb the ranks based on his performance.
Michael McGreevy was optioned back to Memphis to open up a spot in the rotation for Mike Soroka. Magnerius Sierra was recalled from Memphis to take the vacant roster spot left by Nick Plummer.
The Cardinals are likely not done this trade season as they look now to bolster their offense that has recently been trending downward. The loss of Nolan Arenado is really starting to sit in. Catcher, left field, and DH are spots the Cardinals could look to upgrade before the deadline.
Cardinals drop series to Diamondbacks to start 2nd half of season
The Cardinals (53-40) dropped their first series of the second half of the season to the Diamondbacks in Busch Stadium over the weekend. The Cardinals still maintain a 6 game lead in the division as the Brewers struggled as well.
Things got off to a rocky start on Friday night, at least offensively, as the Cardinals would only push across one run, but that would be all they needed to win the game. Jack Flaherty went 6 innings striking out 10 and not allowing a run on 2 hits. The combination of A.J Puk, Michael King and Ryan Helsley would put the game away in the final three innings. The lone RBI was from Brendan Donovan who had 3 hits, hopefully breaking his slump.
Saturday and Sunday, pitching wasn't strong and the bats were quiet. On Saturday, Reid Detmers gave up 4 runs on 8 hits over 5 innings of work. The bullpen would only allow one run in the final 4 innings, but the offense never put anything together expect for Oswald Peraza's RBI double in the 8th. Sunday, Michael McGreevy was roughed up for the 2nd straight start. He left in the 4th inning giving up 6 runs on 10 hits. The bullpen would give up 2 more and the offense would put up just one run, as the Cardinals fell 8-1.
The Cardinals stay at home with a 3 game series against the Tigers starting Monday night. The Tigers who are in the wild card hunt, made a move to acquire JT Realmuto from the Giants in exchange for pitching prospects to bolster their lineup.
Cardinals make first big trade acquiring Mike Soroka from the Nationals
The Cardinals made their first big move of the trade season by acquiring SP Mike Soroka from the Nationals in exchange for SP Tink Hence, OF Nick Plummer, and RHP Mike Myers, whom the Cards drafted last season.
The Cardinals needed to find something to bolster their rotation after losing Jameson Taillon for the year due to a shoulder injury. Michael McGreevy was recalled from Memphis and made a great first start, but his last two starts have been ugly. McGreevy wasn't really expected to be the top option to fulfill a rotational void due to him missing most of last year at Memphis with a shoulder issue, but with Cooper Hjerpe injured, Jake Woodford not on the 40 man and Tink Hence struggling, he got the chance.
Mike Soroka signed a 3 year deal with the Nationals back in 2025, with this year being his final season, as part of the Nationals plan to rebuild. Well the rebuild is taking a bit longer than expected, so he became available once the calendar hit July and the Nationals found themselves distanced from the wild card chase. Soroka has had a great year despite his less than stellar 8-5 record, but his ERA is just over 3 with a WHIP just over 1. Over 80% of his starts this year have been quality starts.
For the Nationals they are getting RHP/SP Tink Hence whom the Cardinals had expected to crack the rotation by now, but he just couldn't stay consistent. He was demoted from Memphis to Double A Springfield in June and has struggled their with an ERA of 6.32 and a WHIP over 2. He posted similar numbers in Memphis. But he's 24 years old with control, so the Nats are hopeful a change of scenery will do wonders for him.
30 year old OF Nick Plummer is a reserve role player that can be productive as indicated by his .282 average with the Cardinals as he was the 4th outfielder on the roster. Plummer will give the Nationals some veteran depth to an outfield that is young throughout the organization.
RHP Mike Myers is a 19 year old bullpen arm that has dominating stuff. Myers pitched in 5 games for Springfield before the trade throwing 5.2 innings with 10 strikeouts, no walks, no runs allowed, and just 2 hits given up. He has a fastball, splitter, and slider combination that is overpowering and frustrating to hitters. He was a 3rd round pick for the Cardinals in the 2026 draft and was expected to quickly climb the ranks based on his performance.
Michael McGreevy was optioned back to Memphis to open up a spot in the rotation for Mike Soroka. Magnerius Sierra was recalled from Memphis to take the vacant roster spot left by Nick Plummer.
The Cardinals are likely not done this trade season as they look now to bolster their offense that has recently been trending downward. The loss of Nolan Arenado is really starting to sit in. Catcher, left field, and DH are spots the Cardinals could look to upgrade before the deadline.
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