PITTSBURGH — The Cardinals are making a habit of this. St. Louis rolled into PNC Park and beat up on the Pirates again, taking a 5-1 decision behind another sharp outing from Matthew Liberatore and a multi-faceted offensive night from JJ Wetherholt.
This was the second meeting between these two clubs in as many days, and the results have been split right down the middle in dramatic fashion. The Pirates took Tuesday's game 2-0, riding a strong pitching effort to shut the Cardinals out. But Wednesday belonged entirely to St. Louis, which flipped the script and then some, doubling up Pittsburgh's run total and then some in a five-run outing that never felt in doubt.
Liberatore was the story from the jump. The right-hander turned in a game worth 34.2 fantasy points, tops among anyone on either roster, and it was the kind of start that changes the entire tenor of a game. He worked ahead in counts, missed enough bats to keep the Pirates lineup off balance, and gave his offense every chance to build a cushion. When your starter is dealing like that, the middle innings turn into formality, and that's exactly what happened here.
He didn't have to do it alone. Wetherholt continues to look like one of the more dangerous everyday pieces in this Cardinals lineup, posting 24.5 fantasy points in a night where he seemed to be involved in everything good St. Louis did. The second baseman has been a load for opposing pitching staffs, and Wednesday was another example of why. Masyn Winn chipped in 13.0 fantasy points from the shortstop spot, and José Fermín matched him with 13.0 points of his own out of left field, giving the Cardinals production up and down the order rather than relying on one or two hitters to carry the load.
Jordan Walker added 12.5 fantasy points in right field, continuing to make his case as a name Cardinals fans should be watching closely this season. Alec Burleson kicked in 10.5 points at first base, and reliever George Soriano was effective enough late to add 10.0 points of his own, helping close the door once St. Louis had built its cushion.
For Pittsburgh, there were flashes worth noting even in a lopsided loss. Brandon Lowe was the offensive bright spot, turning in 30.5 fantasy points at second base in a night where almost nothing else went right for the Pirates. That's an eye-popping number in a losing effort, and it's a sign Lowe was doing damage even as his team fell behind. Ryan O'Hearn added 16.0 fantasy points from the right field spot, giving Pittsburgh at least two hitters who showed up ready to compete.
On the mound, Antwone Kelly started for the Pirates and finished with 15.5 fantasy points, a respectable number that speaks to some quality innings even in a losing decision. Lake Bachar was effective in relief, posting 11.7 fantasy points, and Khristian Curtis added 10.6 points of his own work. The pitching wasn't the disaster the final score might suggest — this one was more about the Cardinals doing just enough damage at the plate to make Liberatore's night stand up, and Pittsburgh simply couldn't match the balance St. Louis brought to the lineup card.
The split series is a reminder of just how early we are in this season. Both of these teams have shown they can beat the other on a given night — Pittsburgh's win streak coming in featured victories over St. Louis and Kansas City. Neither team looks fully settled yet, and that's normal for this point on the calendar. What Wednesday did show is that when Liberatore is on and the Cardinals get contributions from Wetherholt, Winn, and Fermín all in the same game, this lineup can make quick work of most pitching staffs.
For Pittsburgh, the encouraging sign is Lowe's continued production. If he keeps hitting like this, the Pirates have a foundation piece even on nights when the final score doesn't cooperate. Both clubs will look to build on whatever version of themselves showed up Wednesday as the season moves forward.
Cardinals fans building their JockBroker lineups this week would do well to keep an eye on Liberatore and Wetherholt — both delivered exactly the kind of performance that makes for a strong lineup card.
