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Cardinals: 3 replacements for Alex Reyes at closer

By Mark Powell

Mike Shildt, Alex Reyes, St. Louis Cardinals. (Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports)
Mike Shildt, Alex Reyes, St. Louis Cardinals. (Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports) /
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ST LOUIS, MO – AUGUST 03: Luis Garcia #66 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium on August 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – AUGUST 03: Luis Garcia #66 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium on August 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images) /

Cardinals should give Luis Garcia an opportunity

In just 20 innings pitched, Garcia has a 2.70 ERA. He’s been a revelation of sorts in the St. Louis bullpen, and while that sample size is slightly smaller than that of Gallegos, it’s enough to try him out in a larger role than he’s currently carved out for himself.

Shildt doesn’t have many options at the moment. Reyes was meant to be a full-proof plan down the stretch, but evidently, at least for now, he needs a break from high-stress situations. Pitching reliable arms like Garcia and Gallegos gives Reyes a chance to reset, and hopefully get to a point where the Cardinals can rely on him once again.

Cardinals: T.J. McFarland is a left-handed option for the ninth

Assuming the Cardinals are going with a by-committee approach, rather than just replacing Reyes with one man for now, McFarland should see time in the ninth inning against lefties.

McFarland has an ERA of 1.70 and is dynamite against left-handed hitters. It’s unlikely Shildt would feel comfortable pitching him against righties in high-leverage situations, but against a lefty in the ninth inning, he should be an automatic out.

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