Matthew Liberatore
Breakdown
Performance
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June 19, 2026
Crushed by KC
Liberatore (3-4) allowed seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and no walks while striking out two batters over 1.2 innings to take the loss against Kansas City on Thursday.
Analysis
Liberatore got an early lead when St. Louis scored twice in the top of the first inning, but he gave one run back in the bottom of the frame on a Bobby Witt (knee) solo homer. Things got much worse for Liberatore in the second, as the Royals swarmed him for six hits -- five of which were doubles -- en route to six runs. The left-hander ultimately gave way to a reliever after retiring only two batters in that disastrous frame. It was the shortest outing of the season for Liberatore, and he hasn't been providing much depth of late, completing fewer than five frames in three straight outings. He's had a few promising starts this season, but it's mostly been a struggle for the veteran pitcher, who now has an ugly 5.23 ERA and 1.56 WHIP along with a 67:27 K:BB through 72.1 innings spanning 15 appearances.
June 14, 2026
Squanders early lead
Liberatore didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 9-6 win over the Twins, giving up four runs on five hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out four.
Analysis
The Cardinals gave the southpaw an early 4-0 lead after two innings, but Liberatore served up a trio of long balls in the third and fourth frames to tie it up, eventually getting lifted in the fifth after 70 pitches (46 strikes). It's the first time since April 25 he's been taken deep multiple times in a start, but Liberatore's been shaky over the last month even when keeping the ball in the yard, stumbling to a 5.65 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB through 28.2 innings over his last six outings. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week in Kansas City.