Road to Regression

In this episode of Talking About Birds, the hosts recap a tough week for the Cardinals, who placed Jordan Walker on the IL and called up Ryan Vilade, while also signing Tyler Matzek to a minor league deal. The pitching staff continues to struggle—Pallante’s arsenal lacks effectiveness, Leahy isn’t generating strikeouts, and Mikolas’s fastball ranks among the worst in MLB. Offensively, Nolan Arenado is slumping, raising questions about rest versus defensive value, while Masyn Winn and Alec Burleson help keep the team afloat. The episode also previews upcoming series against the Dodgers and Blue Jays, and covers league news including injuries to Corbin Burnes and AJ Smith-Shawver, the Royals promoting Jac Caglianone, and troubling reports about threats made against Lance McCullers.