The St. Louis Cardinals hit a rocky August mark at 11-14, swelling to 66-69 on the season as the deadline churned the roster toward a youth movement. Oli Marmol stays the course with Andre Pallante in the rotation, signaling a long-term bet despite 2025 struggles. The organizational shift continues as John Mozeliak nears his final chapters before passing the torch to Chaim Bloom, amid fading playoff chances and a Reds series on deck.

Pallante (26) has been a clear blemish in 2025 after a successful 2024 stretch in a full-time starting role. Through 26 starts he’s 6-12 with a 5.44 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, fanning 139 over 139 innings, with a recent nine-start span of 1-8 and an 8.27 ERA. Underlying metrics hint the stuff hasn’t changed from 2024, but hitters have adjusted. The club, and Marmol, believe he can adjust back as they push toward the future.

The Mozeliak-to-Bloom transition looms, with Bloom joining as the next voice in a rebuilding arc that reshapes fantasy upside across the roster. The Cardinals’ playoff odds are shrinking, but Pallante’s path remains a focal point for development and potential late-season value as the organization rebuilds around younger arms and regulated opportunities.