Steven Matz is a professional baseball player who currently pitches for the St. Louis Cardinals. Matz has had an impressive career so far, playing for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) and even earning a World Series ring with the New York Mets in 2015.
However, in a recent game against the Colorado Rockies, Matz didn’t have the best outing. He took the loss after allowing six runs on nine hits and two walks over 5.2 innings.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what happened to Steven Matz in that game, as well as potential reasons for his performance and what it might mean for his future.
Background on Steven Matz
Steven Matz was born on May 29, 1991, in Stony Brook, New York. He was drafted by the New York Mets in the second round of the 2009 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with the team in 2015.
Matz spent his first six seasons in the majors with the Mets before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in January 2021. Later that same year, Matz signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Over the course of his career, Matz has been a solid starting pitcher for his teams. He has a career record of 44-41 with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.14 and 581 strikeouts. One of his most notable achievements was pitching in the 2015 World Series with the Mets.
Additionally, he was named National League Rookie of the Month in July 2015 and has received votes for the Cy Young Award.
Despite his success, Matz has also had some injury issues throughout his career. He has dealt with various injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2010 and 2017 and a shoulder injury in 2019.
Nonetheless, Matz has bounced back from these injuries and remained a reliable pitcher for his teams.
The Game Against Colorado
On Monday, April 10th, 2023, Steven Matz was the starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals in a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado.
The game did not go well for Matz or the Cardinals, as they ended up losing to the Rockies by a score of 8-3. Matz gave up six runs on nine hits and two walks over 5.2 innings pitched. He struck out four batters and gave up two home runs during the game.
Matz struggled in the first inning, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk. He settled down for a few innings after that but ran into trouble again in the fifth inning when he gave up two more runs, including a solo home run by Rockies outfielder Raimel Tapia.
After the game, Matz spoke to reporters about his performance, saying, “I didn’t execute well enough. I fell behind in counts and left some pitches over the plate, and they took advantage of it. It’s frustrating, but I’ll learn from it and move on.”
Overall, Matz’s performance was not up to his usual standards, and the Cardinals will be hoping to see him bounce back in his next start.
Possible Reasons for Matz’s Performance
There are several possible reasons why Steven Matz may have struggled in the game against the Colorado Rockies.
- First, the high altitude and thin air at Coors Field in Denver can be challenging for pitchers. The ballpark is known for being hitter-friendly, and the ball tends to carry farther in the thin air, making it easier for batters to hit home runs. This could have affected Matz’s performance, particularly as he gave up two home runs in the game.
- Another factor that may have contributed to Matz’s struggles was the Rockies’ lineup. Colorado has a number of talented hitters, including Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon, and C.J. Cron, who can be difficult for pitchers to face. Matz may have had difficulty executing his pitches and keeping these hitters off the bases.
- Additionally, it’s possible that Matz was dealing with some physical issues that affected his performance. While there have been no reports of any recent injuries, Matz has had a history of injury troubles throughout his career, and it’s possible that he was not feeling 100% during the game.
- Finally, it’s worth noting that even the best pitchers have bad days, and Matz’s struggles in this game may simply be a result of an off day. Regardless of the specific reasons for his performance, Matz and the Cardinals will be looking to bounce back in his next start and put this game behind them.
Steven Matz’s career statistics before and after signing with the St. Louis Cardinals:
| Statistic | Before signing with the Cardinals | After signing with the Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| ERA | 4.35 | 4.91 |
| Wins-Losses | 51-47 | 0-2 |
| Strikeouts per 9 innings | 8.4 | 6.0 |
| WHIP | 1.36 | 1.63 |
| Innings pitched | 800.2 | 11.2 |
| Home runs allowed per 9 innings | 1.1 | 2.3 |
This table shows that Steven Matz’s statistics have been somewhat worse since signing with the Cardinals, although it’s important to note that he has only had a few starts with the team so far. It will be interesting to see how his numbers evolve over the course of the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Steven Matz had success against the Rockies in the past?
It’s difficult to say for sure without examining his entire career statistics against the Rockies, but in this particular game, Matz struggled against the Rockies’ lineup.
How has Matz performed overall since signing with the Cardinals?
As of this moment, Matz has only had a few starts with the Cardinals, so it’s too early to say definitively. However, he has had a successful career so far and will likely be an important part of the Cardinals’ rotation.
Did Matz receive any criticism from the Cardinals’ coaching staff or management after the game?
There have been no reports of any public criticism from the Cardinals’ coaching staff or management after the game. It’s likely that they will work with Matz to identify areas where he can improve and help him bounce back in his next start.
Will Matz have to make any adjustments to his pitching style or approach after this game?
Again, it’s difficult to say for sure, but Matz may make some adjustments based on his performance in this game. For example, he may work on executing his pitches more effectively or adjust his approach based on the opposing team’s lineup.
Is Matz expected to start in the Cardinals’ next game?
That information is not currently available. The Cardinals’ coaching staff will likely make a decision on their starting pitcher based on a variety of factors, including the pitching schedule and the opposing team’s lineup.
To Recap
Steven Matz had a tough outing in a game against the Colorado Rockies on April 10th, 2023. He gave up six runs on nine hits and two walks over 5.2 innings pitched, leading to a loss for the St. Louis Cardinals.
While there are several possible factors that may have contributed to his performance, including the high altitude at Coors Field and the Rockies’ talented lineup, Matz and the Cardinals will be looking to move past this game and focus on his next start.
Matz has been a reliable pitcher throughout his career, and it’s likely that he will continue to be a valuable member of the Cardinals’ rotation moving forward.
