What would the Cardinals rotation look like right now?

For St. Louis Cardinals fans looking past the lockout and forward to the 2022 season, here is what the starting rotation looks like.

The MLB lockout is still in effect after over a month, with no end in sight. There is even the possibility that this could extend into Spring Training. It will be a lengthy process that we will continue to keep you updated on.

Prior to the lockout taking effect, the St. Louis Cardinals did manage to get one of the top pitchers in free agency in Steven Matz, signing him to a four-year, $44 million contract. With Matz added to the roster, just how does the starting rotation look heading into the 2022 season.

Cardinals starting rotation for 2022 season

Here is how the Cardinals starting pitching depth chart looks heading into the 2022 season, via the Cardinals’ official website:

• Adam Wainwright
• Jack Flaherty
• Steven Matz
• Dakota Hudson
• Miles Mikolas
• Jake Woodford

Wainwright is coming off an impressive 2021 season where he held a 3.07 ERA and a 17-7 record through 32 starts. Not to mention, he threw three complete games, tied with German Marquez and Zack Wheeler for the most in the league. Wainwright signed a contract extension that runs through the 2022 campaign.

Flaherty dealt with injuries in 2021, including an oblique strain and a right shoulder strain, limiting him to 17 games (15 starts). In those appearances, Flaherty recorded a 3.22 ERA, a 1.060 WHIP and 85 strikeouts over 78.1 innings.

Matz had a bounce-back campaign after holding a 9.68 ERA through nine games with the New York Mets in the 2020 truncated season. He picked up a 3.82 ERA and 14-7 record in his lone season with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The backend of the rotation will feature a combination of Hudson, Mikolas and Woodford.

There you go, Cardinals fans. Your starting rotation for the 2022 season. Now, MLB fans wait for the end of the lockout.