--- title: "McGreevy’s six scoreless frames wasted without run support" description: "Cardinals righty delivers a pitching clinic but gets no help in 0-0 tie with Marlins." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/michael-mcgreevy-scoreless-start-wasted-c9e6a803 published: 2026-06-30T09:14:05.854+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T09:14:05.854+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # McGreevy’s six scoreless frames wasted without run support > Cardinals righty delivers a pitching clinic but gets no help in 0-0 tie with Marlins. Michael McGreevy authored a masterclass on the mound Friday, retiring the Marlins in order over six scoreless frames at Busch Stadium. The rookie right-hander permitted just five hits and issued one walk while fanning four, stifling a lineup that entered the game averaging 4.7 runs per contest. Yet the Cardinals’ offense mustered zero runs, and the bullpen coughed up the lead in the seventh, leaving McGreevy with a no-decision in the 0-0 final. The start marked the longest outing of McGreevy’s young career and the second time this month he’s worked at least six innings without allowing an earned run. His 2.25 ERA over 20 innings this season now ranks among the lowest among Cardinals starters, trailing only Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas. The efficiency was undeniable: McGreevy threw 63 of 94 pitches for strikes, inducing eight ground-ball outs and keeping Miami hitters off balance with a mid-90s fastball and a sharper-than-usual slider. Defensive lapses behind him didn’t help; a throwing error by third baseman Nolan Arenado in the third extended an inning that ultimately ended scoreless. Still, McGreevy responded by striking out the side in the fourth, silencing Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Bryan De La Cruz on nine pitches. By the sixth, he’d faced the minimum through five, but a two-out single by Luis Arraez broke up the perfecto before he escaped the frame. The Marlins’ lineup, one of the National League’s most aggressive in terms of swing rate, managed just one extra-base hit all night—a double by Arraez—highlighting McGreevy’s ability to suppress hard contact even when he wasn’t blowing fastballs past hitters. Statcast metrics underline the quality of the performance. McGreevy’s slider posted a 38% whiff rate, well above his season average, while his ground-ball percentage hovered near 55%, a figure that outpaces the league median for starters. The strike-to-ball ratio of 63‑31 (67% strikes) signals a command level that rarely wavers, a rare commodity for a 25‑year‑old still carving a niche in a rotation crowded with veterans. The broader picture is less rosy for St. Louis. The Cardinals have posted a meager 3.2 runs per game over their last ten contests, a drought that has turned several quality starts into no‑decisions. Coupled with a bullpen that ranks 12th in NL ERA (4.12) and a recent four‑game slide, the team’s fate hinges on aligning McGreevy’s dominance with timely offense and tighter late‑inning relief. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol praised McGreevy’s poise under pressure. “He attacked hitters, changed speeds, and executed when it mattered,” Marmol said. “That’s the kind of start that builds confidence for the rest of the rotation.” Marlins skipper Skip Schumaker echoed the sentiment, noting McGreevy’s ability to pitch around contact despite lacking his top velocity. The performance also drew attention from analytics circles, with Statcast data showing McGreevy’s slider generating a whiff rate of 38% on the night, well above his season average. What’s next: McGreevy is slated to face the Reds on Tuesday in Cincinnati, a matchup that could further cement his role in a crowded Cardinals rotation. With the team mired in a four-game slide, every quality start counts toward both individual momentum and the club’s push for a wild-card spot. The Cardinals’ offense, averaging just 3.2 runs per game over their last 10 contests, will need to provide more support if McGreevy is to avoid another no-decision despite his dominant outings. The Cardinals’ bullpen collapse in the seventh inning exposed another layer of vulnerability. After McGreevy exited with a lead, relievers Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos combined to allow two runs, including a go-ahead RBI single by Garrett Cooper. The blown save underscores how even elite starting performances can be neutralized by late-inning lapses, a recurring theme for a team that ranks 12th in bullpen ERA (4.12) among National League clubs. ## Why this matters For a 25‑year‑old pitcher fighting for every rotation turn, six scoreless innings is the ultimate credibility stamp. McGreevy’s outing proved he can succeed without blowing hitters away, a skill that separates durable big‑leaguers from flash‑in‑the‑pan prospects. In an era where young arms are discarded after one bad start, McGreevy’s command and composure buy him months of runway—and give the Cardinals a low‑risk asset down the stretch. The performance also highlights how run prevention alone isn’t enough when a lineup struggles to manufacture runs, a dynamic that could define the Cardinals’ playoff push if offensive woes persist. ## Frequently asked ### How many scoreless innings did Michael McGreevy throw against the Marlins? McGreevy retired the Marlins in order over six consecutive scoreless innings, allowing zero runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four. ### Did McGreevy get a win or loss in this game? No. The Cardinals and Marlins played to a 0-0 tie, so McGreevy received a no-decision despite his six-inning masterclass. ### What is McGreevy’s current ERA after this start? His ERA now sits at 2.25 over 20 innings pitched this season, ranking among the lowest among Cardinals starting pitchers. ### Who committed the error that prolonged McGreevy’s no-hit bid? Nolan Arenado made a throwing error in the third inning, extending an at-bat that ultimately ended without a run. ### When is McGreevy’s next start? He is scheduled to pitch Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds in the first game of a three-game series at Great American Ballpark. ### How did the Marlins’ offensive approach affect McGreevy’s performance? Despite being one of the league’s most aggressive lineups in swing rate, Miami managed just one extra-base hit all night—a double by Luis Arraez—showing McGreevy’s ability to suppress hard contact even without overpowering stuff. ## Sources & Citations - [Michael McGreevy: Scoreless start wasted](https://www.rotowire.com//baseball/player/michael-mcgreevy-17320) — ClearSports (2026-06-26) --- Cite: McGreevy’s six scoreless frames wasted without run support. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/michael-mcgreevy-scoreless-start-wasted-c9e6a803