Cardinals on My Time

From going undrafted out of college and a whirlwind 15-day stint in independent ball to carving hitters up in Double-A Springfield and the Arizona Fall League, St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher prospect Michael Watson joins the show!In this episode, Scott Plaza and prospect guru Kareem sit down with Michael to break down his incredible baseball journey. Michael shares the reality of adjusting to professional routines, how he unlocked a massive velocity jump, what it's like to share a clubhouse with some of the organization's brightest young stars, and why the winning culture in the Cardinals' minor league system...

The MLB offseason is officially here, and Scott Plaza is kicking off the brand-new Cardinals on My Time: MLB Edition with a heavy-hitting debut! In this very first live interview on the Millions platform, Scott is joined by MLB media star Jessica Kleinschmidt (NBC Sports, A's coverage, Short and to the Point podcast) for a deep dive into everything happening across the league.

From breaking down the upcoming CBA negotiations, salary caps, and the Rule 5 draft to analyzing the front-office shakeups (including the A's new hire Taylor Smith), this episode covers it all. Plus, Scott and Jessica...

After yet another late-inning bullpen meltdown, postseason baseball is officially off the table for the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals. Scott Plaza, Matt Blaker, and Tanner Larkins (lead singer of Bayview Lane) sit down for a real, unfiltered conversation about where this franchise stands. We break down the emergence of young core pieces like Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker, and Leo Bernal, discuss whether Chaim Bloom intentionally punted on the bullpen, and evaluate what needs to happen at third base and center field heading into the 2027 offseason.Plus, Tanner shares what it’s like growing up a die-hard Cardinals fan in Chicago te...

The St. Louis Cardinals are coming out of the All-Star Break with more momentum than anyone in baseball! Between Jordan Walker’s historic, ice-water-in-the-veins Home Run Derby performance and rookie phenom JJ Wetherholt signing a historic eight-year, $112.5 million contract extension, the "rebuild" narrative is officially dead.

On this episode of Cardinals on My Time, host Scott Plaza is joined by Daniel Shoptaw (@C70 / Meet Me at Musial) and Ethan Hannaford (STL Sports Central) to break down if the Cardinals are ready to make a serious postseason push. We look at the "Core Four" of St. Louis' future, an...

When is the future arriving in St. Louis? With the MLB Trade Deadline looming and the Draft just days away, we are executing a full audit of the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league system.

Host Scott Plaza is joined by Thomas Gauvain (Redbird Rants) and Tyler (Redbird Farmhands) to discuss the standout prospects forcing management's hand and who might be used as prime trade chips.

On this episode, we discuss:

Joshua Baez’s Historic June: 10 home runs and a ticket to the big leagues by September?

The Pitching Pipeline: Luis Gastelum's ab...

Should the St. Louis Cardinals buy or sell at the 2026 MLB trade deadline? Porque no los dos? On this episode of Cardinals on My Time, host Scott Plaza is joined by Caleb Noble (Hard Nine Podcast), AJ Stone (Just Baseball Media), and Matthew Blaker to tackle the messiest trade deadline in recent memory.

The guys dive deep into the recent front-office transition to Bill DeWitt III, Chaim Bloom's telling press conference comments, and whether "just getting into the postseason" is enough for this young core. Then, they play a high-stakes game of "Confidence Out of 10" on which...

The St. Louis Cardinals are officially entering the 100-game countdown, and the vibes around Busch Stadium are shifting fast!

In this episode of Cardinals on My Time, Scott Plaza is joined by the undisputed king of Cardinals Twitter vibes, Jandy (@JandySTL). We break down the electric 10-run comeback against the Cincinnati Reds, the massive return of Lars Nootbaar ("Unk") to the lineup, and whether his presence transforms the clubhouse culture.

Plus, we tackle the upcoming MLB Trade Deadline: Should Chaim Bloom stand pat, buy bullpen depth, or pull off...

The Cubs and Cardinals face off for the first time this year and both teams have something to prove. Scott is joined by Jim to break down the St. Louis side of the series and welcomes in Paul "Crawly" Dzien and Jared Wyllys to discuss from the Cubs side.We will talk about the seasons thus far, preview the series, and then look at the best and worst moments of an all-time sports rivalry.

Welcome back to the Redbird Rundown! 

Jonathan and Scott are joined by the one and only Bernie Miklasz to ask an important big-picture question: have the Cardinals actually changed expectations for what this season can be? 

And as we look ahead to the upcoming stretch of games, what will it really tell us about where this team stands in the NL Central?

We’re digging into performance, perception, and reality—and trying to separate what’s sustainable from what still needs to prove itself.

The Cardinals farm system is starting to heat up, and we’re breaking down the biggest early-season risers, fallers, and future call-up candidates in the organization.

This week on Redbird Rundown, Scott and Matt are joined by Kyle Reis from Wednesdays with Walton and Reis and Birds on the Black to talk about which prospects are turning heads across the Cardinals minor league system — and which names may be losing momentum early in the season.

We also dive into the “Next Man Up” conversation and debate which players could realistically help the big league club soon, in...

The first quarter of the season is officially in the books, and it’s time to hand out grades.

This week on Redbird Rundown, we’re joined by Joe Roderick from STL Sports Central to break down the St. Louis Cardinals through the first quarter of the 2026 season. Which parts of this team are exceeding expectations? Which units are holding them back? And are the Cardinals actually building something sustainable?

We grade every aspect of the club:

From breakout performers to frustrating weaknesses, we cover what’s real, what’s concerni...

Welcome back to the Redbird Rundown! 

Matt and Jonathan are joined by Kaden Joggerst for a fun round of “Buy or Sell” as we break down performances across the Cardinals roster.

From hot starts to frustrating slumps, we’re discussing which players we’re truly buying into—and which ones we’re selling moving forward. Who has earned our confidence? 

Who still has something to prove? And which performances could have the biggest impact on the Cardinals season?

We’re putting our t...

This week, we are joined by the one and only Katie Woo of The Athletic to preview the highly anticipated Cardinals vs. Dodgers series.

After five years on the St. Louis beat, Katie made the jump to Los Angeles, and she joins the crew to break down the massive contrast between these two historic franchises. We dive deep into the "Dynasty vs. Rebuild" debate: Can the Cardinals' new identity of "gritty, exhausting baseball" actually compete with the $700 million "glitz and glams" of the Dodgers?

In this episode, we discuss:

The "Hollywood" Life: Katie...

Welcome back to the Redbird Rundown!

Jonathan and Matt are joined by Benjamin Hochman to break down the Cardinals’ rotation in a way you’ve probably never seen before—The Pitching Trust Pie.

Each of us gets 100% of a pie and has to divide it among the Cardinals starters based on one thing: who we trust the most for the rest of the season. Not who’s been the best. Not who has the best stats. Just… who do you believe in?

With another round of s...

2020 was a season most fans want to forget, but Brad Miller’s performance is one worth remembering.

This week, Jim Plaza spotlights the ultimate utility man who stepped into the void left by a global pandemic and the Universal DH. Despite playing only 48 games in the Birds on the Bat, Miller tied for the team lead in home runs and provided a masterclass in "old school" hitting—all without a pair of batting gloves in sight.

Inside the episode:

The $2M Bargain: How the Cardinals found elite production in a 26th-man roster spot.

Scott, Matt, and Jonathan are joined by special guest Thomas Gauvain (Redbird Rants) for a deep dive into the state of the Cardinals’ outfield.

Is Jordan Walker’s breakout season masking a bigger issue? The crew takes a hard look at what’s really going on beyond the headlines, breaking down performances, concerns, and whether this group stacks up as one of the weakest outfields in the National League.

Tune in as we unpack the numbers, the eye test, and what it all means moving forward for St. Louis.

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How does a player go from being released by a last-place team to hitting .385 for the St. Louis Cardinals in the span of a single week?

In this installment of Random Cardinal of the Week, Jim Plaza dives into the fascinating, "roller coaster" career of utility man Felipe Lopez. A former top-10 pick and Silver Slugger winner, Lopez hit rock bottom in 2008 with a negative WAR and a mid-season release from the Nationals. But when he landed in the St. Louis clubhouse, something clicked.

Under the mentorship of "The Secret Weapon" Jose Oquendo, Lopez didn't...

The mailbag is loaded, and Josh Jacobs joins us to answer it all.

In this episode of the Redbird Rundown, we tackle a wide range of St. Louis Cardinals questions straight from fans — covering everything from Jordan Walker’s future to Masyn Winn’s offensive struggles and growing concerns around Ivan Herrera.

We also dig into bigger-picture topics like which players are truly untouchable, how soon JJ Wetherholt could get extended, and whether a potential salary cap is changing how teams approach young talent.

It’s a mix of serious analysis, honest debate, and a fe...

When you think of the legendary 2004 St. Louis Cardinals, names like Pujols, Edmonds, and Rolen immediately come to mind. You might even think of a young Adam Wainwright. But games aren't just won by the superstars; they’re won by the guys who come jogging out of the bullpen in the 7th inning to put out a fire.

This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Ray King, the durable, 250-pound left-handed specialist affectionately known as "Burger." Acquired in the blockbuster trade that brought Jason Marquis and Adam Wainwright to St. Louis, King became a workhorse for Dave...

In this episode of Cardinals On My Time, Scott Plaza is joined by Matt and Jonathan from Redbird Rundown and special guest Kevin Wheeler from KMOX to break down everything happening in Cardinal Nation.

We dive deep into Jordan Walker’s mechanical changes and why his "Aaron Judge bat speed" is finally turning into results. We also debate the "Oli-isms" of manager Oli Marmol, the defensive struggles of Ivan Herrera behind the plate, and whether Michael McGreevy’s success is sustainable or just a "luck-based" mirage.

In this episode, we discuss:

...

We’re putting our baseball knowledge to the test with a saber metric-style guessing game: Guess That Cardinal!

In this episode, we run through real stat lines from the early season—no names attached, just the numbers. The challenge: can we correctly identify which St. Louis Cardinals player is behind each stat line?

Some are obvious. Some are tricky. And a few might completely surprise you.

Along the way, we break down what these early stats actually mean, whether certain starts are real or just...

Imagine a world where Ryne Sandberg—the legendary Cubs icon and "Cardinal killer"—was manning second base at Busch Stadium. In the winter of 1996, that "what if" was remarkably close to becoming a reality. But when the Cardinals balked at a two-year deal for the aging Hall of Famer, they pivoted to a gamble: a speedster coming off a career-worst season and a negative WAR. That gamble was Delino DeShields.

In this episode, Jim Plaza explores the career of the Seaford, Delaware standout who chose the diamond over a basketball scholarship at Villanova. We trace his journey from...

Opening Weekend is in the books—and the overreactions are already in midseason form. We break down what actually matters after the first few games and what’s just noise. From hot starts to slow bats, we talk through the early trends, standout moments, and a lot of JJ Wetherholt! 

Download the Patreon app and search Redbird Rundown to join our gameday chats!

State Farm – Scott Owens (Mt. Vernon, IL)

📞 (618) 242-3770

Like a good neighbor State Farm is there.

All American T...

The 2026 St. Louis Cardinals season is officially underway, and if Game 1 is any indication, fans are in for a wild ride. Host Scott Plaza is joined by Jake Wood (Viva el Birdos) and Roman Rodriguez (Baseball Banter) to break down a thrilling, "nail-biter" Opening Day victory against the Tampa Bay Rays.

From a 425-foot bomb by rookie sensation JJ Wetherholt to an explosive eight-run 6th inning, the crew discusses whether "Devil Magic" has returned to Busch Stadium. They debate the fallout of the Matthew Liberatore/Randy Arozarena trade, analyze Oliver Marmol’s unconventional lineup choices (including Masyn Wi...

Who actually decides how the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals season goes?

In this episode, we’re joined by Aidan Gray from Redbirds on the Arch as each of us drafts five Cardinals players who will ultimately determine the success or failure of the season. These aren’t just the best players — these are the nexus points of the roster. If they hit, the Cardinals contend. If they don’t… things could go sideways fast.

We also define what a successful season even looks like for this team in 2026 — and how much hinges on a handful of key names.<...

When Jason Motte went down with Tommy John surgery in 2013, the Cardinals' championship aspirations were in jeopardy. Enter Edward "The Chief" Mujica—a journeyman reliever who went from a mid-season acquisition to an All-Star closer almost overnight.

This week on Random Cardinal of the Week, Jim Plaza breaks down the dominant, high-stakes, and occasionally sleepy tenure of one of the most efficient closers in St. Louis history.

Inside this episode:

The 2013 SOS: How Mujica stabilized a bullpen reeling from injuries and early-season struggles.

The Yadi Factor: The mechanical tw...

The Plazas vs. The Smiths. It’s the inaugural 2026 Cardinals fWAR Draft!

Scott and Jim Plaza welcome the founders of Redbird Rundown, Matt and Jonathan Smith, for a 2026 season preview like no other. We’re drafting nine-man rosters based on FanGraphs' Wins Above Replacement (fWAR). From Masyn Winn’s superstar upside to the "sneaky" value of Ramon Urias, we break down every corner of the Cardinals' roster.

Plus, we dive into our "NASCAR" bench rules, side bets on home runs and strikeouts, and why Nelson Velazquez might be the draft’s biggest boom-or...

The computer models are out, and Cardinals fans have thoughts. We’re joined by Jake Wood (Viva El Birdos) to break down the most controversial 2026 ZiPS Projections for the St. Louis Cardinals.

We put our reputations on the line with our "Locks" of the year and debate the over/under for:

Victor Scott II (36 Steals)

JJ Wetherholt (.338 OBP)

Nolan Gorman (21 HR)

Dustin May (8.06 K/9)

And more!

Is Jordan Walker being unfairly projected? Is Michael McGreevy the secret ace of the rotation? We di...

"Baseball is a global sport, but for Jason Simontacchi, it was a literal passport."This week on Random Cardinal of the Week, Jim Plaza dives into the incredible, globe-trotting career of right-hander Jason Simontacchi. Long before he was a fixture in the St. Louis rotation, Simontacchi was a 21st-round pick who nearly walked away from the game entirely.After being released by multiple organizations and spending his winters driving a tow truck in California, a chance phone call from a scout in Italy changed everything. From the professional leagues of Rimini to the 2000 Sydney Olympics, "Simo" reinvented himself on...

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The St. Louis Cardinals pitching rotation is taking shape, but it doesn't look like anyone expected. Scott Plaza is joined by Nate Schwartz (Pitcher List) and Thomas Gauvain (Redbird Rants) to break down a dominant spring performance from Matthew Liberatore. Is he ready to be the "face" of the rotation?In this episode:The "Libby" Leap: Analyzing Matthew Liberatore’s improved changeup and slider usage.Velocity Checks: Why Dustin May hitting 99 MPH matters (and why Michael McGreevy’s 91 MPH might not).The Final Spots: Who wins the battle between Kyle Leahy and Andre Pallante? What about Richard Fitts?Trade Bait...

The St. Louis Cardinals have extended manager Oli Marmol — but the real drama might be unfolding in Spring Training.

Join at patreon.com/redbirdrundown for free! You can also access our bonus tier there!

In this episode of Redbird Rundown, Scott, Matt, and Jonathan discuss the Cardinals’ decision to give Marmol a two-year extension with a 2029 team option and what it says about the organization’s direction.

Then the conversation shifts to Spring Training roster battles across the roster:

The crowded catching competition

Key infield battles that could shape the li...

Before Julio Rodriguez was a household name, there was another J-Rod patrolling the outfield in St. Louis.

In this week’s edition of Random Cardinal of the Week, Jim Plaza dives into the career of John Rodriguez. A classic "late bloomer," Rodriguez spent eight grueling years in the minor leagues and logged over 2,500 at-bats before finally getting his shot at age 27.

Discover how a "player to be named later" trade turned into a fairy-tale 2005 debut where Rodriguez found himself hitting second in a lineup featuring Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds, and Larry Walker. From a scorching .438 ba...

Our patreon is here! Find us at patreon.com/redbirdrundown. Going forward these episodes will be only for our premium patrons. Take advantage of our special launch deal to get a bonus episode each week for only $1 for the first month.

In this bonus episode we share something we're buying so far from spring training, something we're watching for, and a mild, medium, or hot take.

Matt pulled out an insanely hot take and backed it up with a crazy walkout song. Tune is for this free discussion!

The future of the St. Louis Cardinals is on the clock.

This week on Redbird Rundown, Jonathan, Matt, and Scott welcome Kareem from the Birds on the Farm for a full-on Cardinals prospect draft. Each of us built our own big board, drafted our favorite prospects.

We debate sleepers, upside plays, risky picks, and which young Redbirds could impact the big league club sooner than you think.

Plus, we share details about our new Patreon launch and how you can join the Redbird Rundown community.

• Cardinals prospect draft
• Kareem grades our...

The 1982 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals are often remembered for the backflips of Ozzie Smith and the genius of Whitey Herzog. But the engine that truly powered that team sat behind the infield dirt.

In this special Black History Month finale of Random Cardinal of the Week, Jim Plaza dives into the stories of three men who formed one of the most dynamic outfields in baseball history: Lonnie Smith, Willie McGee, and George Hendrick.

From Lonnie’s fearless intensity (and his legendary run-in with the Phillie Phanatic) to George Hendrick’s quiet, steady power, and Will...

SHHHH: https://www.patreon.com/posts/you-found-it-in-151595607

Spring Training is in full swing at the brand-new Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium! Scott Plaza is joined by Matt Smith and special guest JD Hafron from Locked On Cardinals to break down the early highs and lows from Jupiter.

We dive deep into the starting rotation's health—from Libby’s impressive splitter to the "batting practice ball" mysteries. But the real talk starts behind the plate: is Ivan Herrera giving off "Tommy Edman vibes" with his rehab? Matt and JD explain why a "catching freight train" of prospects like...

What will decide the 2026 season for the St. Louis Cardinals?
In this episode of the Redbird Rundown, Matt, Jonathan, and Scott break down the biggest make-or-break storylines that could define the year — from rotation health to roster surprises.

We’re also joined by special guest Daniel Shoptaw (C70 on Twitter) to hear what storylines he’s watching most closely.

Plus, Jonathan highlights a lesser-known Cardinals figure in honor of Black History Month — a story every Cards fan should know.

• Ranking the Top 3 Make-or-Break Storylines for 2026
• Rotation health, young player development & roster depth
• G...

In this special Black History Month edition of Random Cardinal of the Week, we look at the man who revitalized the Cardinals' outfield during one of the toughest decades in franchise history. Arnold Ray "Bake" McBride didn't even play high school baseball in his hometown of Fulton, Missouri—yet he became a 37th-round draft pick who took the National League by storm.

In this episode, we dive into:

The Pitcher Who Could Run: How a college pitcher from Westminster showed up to an open tryout at Busch Stadium and was converted to the outfield on th...

Could things actually be worse in St. Louis than they are on the South Side?

This week, Scott Plaza is joined by Sean Anderson (@Sean_W_Anderson) of CHGO White Sox (@CHGO_WhiteSox) to perform a "rebuild wellness check" on two of baseball's most storied (and currently struggling) franchises.

While Cardinals fans are bracing for a "reset," White Sox fans are finally seeing light at the end of a very dark, 121-loss tunnel.

In this episode, we dive into:

Major League Caliber?: Scott compares the Cardinals' young core...