On the first episode of The Bernie Show for Sports Hub STL, Bernie Miklasz opens his discussion by analyzing the 2025 Opening Day roster of the St. Louis Cardinals, particularly the position players. He points out that despite an offseason filled with talk about a full reset, the team retained key players like Nolan Arenado, preventing a more extensive overhaul. However, the Cardinals have a notably young lineup, with five starters aged 24 or younger: Jordan Walker, Masyn Winn, Nolan Gorman, Victor Scott, and Ivan Herrera. Even when adding players like Alec Burleson and Lars Nootbaar, the core position players still average under 25 years old. Bernie emphasizes that while these players were already part of the roster, their youth will play a significant role in shaping the team’s offensive future.
Bernie then shifts focus to Victor Scott, praising the decision to name him the starting center fielder. However, he criticizes the team’s hesitancy in making this choice, arguing that Scott’s impressive spring training performance made the decision a no-brainer.
The discussion then moves to Michael Siani, who made the roster as the fourth outfielder. Bernie acknowledges his defensive prowess and speed but highlights his offensive limitations. He suggests that Siani’s presence on the roster mainly reflects the team’s concerns over Jordan Walker’s defensive struggles in right field.
Another unexpected roster decision was the absence of a traditional backup shortstop. Despite having viable candidates, the Cardinals chose not to carry a dedicated backup, meaning Brendan Donovan will serve as the primary substitute for Masyn Winn. Bernie notes that while several MLB teams play their shortstops extensively, Winn’s late-season fatigue in 2024 raises concerns about his durability over a full season. While the move aligns with broader MLB trends, Bernie questions whether Winn will be able to sustain his performance without adequate rest.
Turning to the pitching staff, Bernie evaluates the bullpen, which largely retains its 2024 core. He highlights the importance of relievers like Ryan Helsley, Ryan Fernandez, Phil Maton, Chris Roycroft, and Kyle Leahy. He particularly praises Roycroft’s potential and Leahy’s underrated value as a multi-inning reliever, helping to manage the workload of the high-leverage arms.
The biggest surprise in the rotation was Matthew Liberatore being named the fifth starter. While Bernie had been skeptical about the team’s intentions, he welcomes the decision, believing Liberatore deserves an extended chance to prove himself as a starter.
Bernie also expresses disappointment that young right-hander Michael McGreevy was optioned to Triple-A Memphis. He believes McGreevy had earned a rotation spot but acknowledges that financial considerations and Miles Mikolas’ entrenched position made the decision inevitable. He suggests that McGreevy will still have opportunities later in the season due to potential injuries or trades.
Overall, Bernie acknowledges some positive steps while questioning whether the team’s decisions—especially regarding defensive alignments and backup depth—will hold up over a full season.