Leahy allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter over three scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Leahy started the bullpen game and had the most innings pitched of the five pitchers the Cardinals used in their season finale. This was a fine first career start, and the right-hander ended the season on a seven-inning scoreless streak. Overall, he pitched to a 3.07 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 80:28 K:BB across 88 innings across 62 appearances, adding a 4-2 record, one save, 18 holds and four blown saves as a multi-inning reliever. He could be a contender for the rotation in 2026, but Leahy hasn't regularly worked as a starter since 2022.

Leahy is lined up to start Sunday's game against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

As long as Leahy isn't needed to pitch in relief before then, he'll start a bullpen game Sunday in the final day of the regular season. Leahy has never started a game at the big-league level, but the Cardinals plan to stretch him out next season for a potential spot in the rotation. The 28-year-old hasn't gone more than two innings in any of his last 15 appearances, so his workload will be limited Sunday.

Leahy is an option to start the final game of the season Sunday against the Cubs, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

It would be a sneak peek at Leahy as a starting pitcher as the Cardinals consider moving him into the rotation next season. All 97 of Leahy's appearances at the big-league level to this point have come in relief, though he has often gone multiple innings in his outings this season. The righty might be capable of covering 3-to-4 innings Sunday, but it would essentially be a bullpen game for the Cardinals.

Leahy (4-2) allowed two runs (one earned) over 1.1 innings, taking a blown save and a loss Saturday in Milwaukee.

EDGE Analysis

Leahy was put into an impossible situation in the bottom of the ninth, taking over for an ineffective Riley O'Brien with runners on the corners, no one out and the Cardinals nursing a one-run lead. He did well to give up just one run that frame to send the game to the 10th. Leahy remained in the game after the Cardinals scored one in the top of the 10th, and he coughed up the tying and winning runs to get saddled with a loss. The 28-year-old Leahy will likely remain in the mix for high-leverage appearances for the Cardinals, though he is often used earlier in games for multiple innings.

Leahy earned the save in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Reds, allowing two hits over 1.1 innings. He did not record a walk or a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

With JoJo Romero deployed in a one-run game in the seventh inning, it was Leahy who relieved him with two outs in the eighth and retired four hitters to secure his first save of the season. The 28-year-old has now delivered back-to-back scoreless outings after allowing at least one run in his previous five appearances. In addition in Saturday's save, he's tallied 16 holds and owns a 2.97 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 66:25 K:BB across 72.2 innings this season.

The Cardinals are considering using Leahy as part of piggyback starts down the stretch with Andre Pallante and/or Matthew Liberatore, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals already have plans for Leahy to prepare this offseason to enter spring training as a starting pitcher, and the righty could get a jump-start on that preparation if the team opts to employ him in a piggyback role during the final two months of this season. Manager Oliver Marmol said there are currently no plans for piggyback starts, but it's being discussed as the club seeks to keep the workloads of Pallante and Liberatore in check. Leahy has been used exclusively as a reliever so far at the major-league level, but he'll often pitch multiple innings at a time and has past experience as a starter in the minors.

Leahy has generated "intrigue" as a potential option for the Cardinals' rotation, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

All 76 of Leahy's appearances in the majors have come from the bullpen, and he has been used almost exclusively as a reliever since 2023. However, he has lots of past experiences as a starter in the minors, and many of his relief appearances have spanned multiple frames, including his last time out Tuesday in Colorado when he struck out seven while yielding one run over 3.2 innings. It does not sound like a move to the Cardinals' rotation is imminent for Leahy, but it could be considered if they trade other members of the rotation at the deadline. Leahy has posted a 2.95 ERA and 48:19 K:BB over 55 frames in 2025.

Leahy has posted a 6.52 ERA and 6:5 K:BB over 9.2 innings covering his last nine appearances.

EDGE Analysis

Leahy still holds a 2.48 ERA for the season thanks to his great start, but a 3.73 FIP and 27:12 K:BB across 36.1 innings paint a less flattering picture. The 28-year-old collected 12 holds through his first 23 appearances but has zero across his last six outings.

Leahy is set to see more high-leverage relief appearances for the Cardinals, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Leahy is off to an excellent start, having allowed just one run and one hit with a 10:3 K:BB over 7.2 innings. He looks to have leapfrogged Ryan Fernandez -- who has a 10.80 ERA -- in the pecking order among righty relievers for St. Louis, at least for the time being. While he's unlikely to garner any save chances, Leahy could be worth a look in leagues that count holds.

Leahy has spun eight scoreless innings with a 9:1 K:BB during Grapefruit League play this spring.

EDGE Analysis

Leahy is competing with Nick Anderson, Chris Roycroft and Riley O'Brien for one of the final two spots in the Cardinals' Opening Day bullpen. Perhaps working in Leahy's favor, in addition to his fine work this spring, is that he's shown the ability to go multiple frames, whereas the other three competitors are more one-inning relievers. Each of Leahy's last three outings this spring were two innings apiece, and he recorded more than three outs in 20 of his 33 appearances last season for St. Louis.