On Sunday, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny and general manager John Mozaliek announced who would be the new starter in the fifth spot of the pitching rotation.
It will be left-handed pitcher Tyler Lyons.
This will not be a major league debut for Lyons like it was for the Tim Cooney last week, who was taken out after two and one-third innings in a win against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 30th.
Lyons, 27, made his official MLB debut on May 22, 2013, in a road match-up against the San Diego Padres.
St. Louis would win the game 5-3, as Lyons had a quality start, allowing one run over seven innings of work, as well as allowing just four hits. He would continue that success by winning his next start, but then, after a series of struggling starts, Lyons was sent back down to the Memphis Redbirds (the Cardinals AAA minor league affiliate).
His ERA had skyrocketed to 5.51 over those struggling starts.
During the 2014 season, Lyons struggled as well, with a record of 0-4 in 11 total appearances (with four starts), as his ERA was at 4.42. One positive note was that he has struck out 36 batters, but he was still sent back down to Memphis.
In 12 career starts with the St. Louis Cardinals, Lyons has a career ERA of 5.89, a record of 2-7, and he has pitched 65 2/3 innings. This season with the Memphis Redbirds, Lyons has had a successful start, going 2-1 with a 2.91 ERA and, in 21 2/3 innings, has 26 strikeouts along with six walks.
The St. Louis Cardinals enter Sunday’s game with a record of 17-6, which is their best start since the 1944 season.
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