Matz (0-4) took another loss Tuesday against the Angels, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Matz wound up surrendering all four runs in the first frame. He walked Mike Trout, who came around to score following back-to-back singles, and Taylor Ward capped off the inning with a three-run blast to left field. Matz would settle in the rest of the way, tossing four scoreless innings, but he would not get the run support to help erase the damage done. The 31-year-old has yet to reach six innings and has given up at least four runs in four of his six starts this year. Matz now owns a 6.39 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 31:15 K:BB over 31 innings and will try to get his first win in a projected matchup with the Tigers over the weekend.

Matz did not factor in the decision against the Giants on Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three batters over four innings.

EDGE Analysis

All things considered, Matz was fortunate to have just two runs charged to his line, as he allowed nine batters to reach base over just four frames. The southpaw escaped a bases-loaded jam in the third but yielded a pair of runs on four hits in the fourth and wasn't allowed to continue into the fifth. Matz needed 90 pitches -- only 51 of which were strikes -- to get through his four innings, continuing what has been a rough season thus far. He's 0-3 on the campaign with a 6.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB across 26 frames.

Matz (0-3) took the loss Friday, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against the Mariners. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Matz has struggled to start off the year, posting a 6.55 ERA through his first four appearances. The 31-year-old has a track record of quality seasons under his belt; most recently in 2021 (14-7. 3.82 ERA, 1.33 WHIP). While the southpaw has plenty of time to regain that form, fantasy managers shouldn't bank on him at this moment.

Matz did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over 5.2 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Walks were a problem for Matz on Saturday, and his free pass to Conner Joe with the bases loaded tied the game at 2-2 in the third inning. He also allowed a long home run to Ke'Bryan Hayes -- estimated at 440 feet -- in the first, but that was it in terms of runs. Even with the control issues, this was the best start of the season for the southpaw, as he came into the game with a 8.18 ERA and allowed at least four runs in both of his previous outings. He'll get a chance to build on this effort next week, as he's tentatively scheduled for a road start in Seattle.

Matz (0-2) took the loss against Colorado on Monday, allowing six runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Matz surrendered just two extra-base hits -- both of which were doubles -- in the outing, but he allowed 12 total baserunners to put himself in constant trouble. Half of those baserunners came across the third and fourth frames, during which the Rockies piled up four combined runs. Matz has struggled to get runners out during his first two appearances of the campaign, yielding a combined 19 hits and 10 runs over 11 innings. He's posted a decent 11:3 K:BB over that span, but after registering a 5.25 ERA in his first campaign as a Cardinal last year, it's becoming increasingly difficult to see him as a viable fantasy asset.

Matz (0-1) was charged with the loss Tuesday against Atlanta after he allowed four runs on 10 hits and one walk across 5.1 innings. He recorded seven strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander surrendered just three runs in four outings during spring training, but Atlanta got to him quickly Tuesday with home runs from Austin Riley and Orlando Arcia in the first and second innings, respectively. Matz generated 15 swinging strikes and topped out at 95.7 mph, which is a tick faster than his average fastball velocity last year, but he had trouble keeping runners off the bases. Matz will have to contend with the Rockies at hitter-friendly Coors Field for his next start, which tentatively lines up for Monday.

Matz allowed one run on three hits and struck out five over six innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

The one run allowed by Matz came on a solo home run from Oswaldo Cabrera. Over 17.2 innings this spring, Matz has a 1.53 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB. After knee and shoulder injuries limited the southpaw in 2022, his strong spring has a him poised for a bounce-back season. He's a lock for the Cardinals' rotation, though it's important to note he's only reached 150 innings three times in his major-league career.

Matz said after throwing three perfect innings against the Astros on Monday that "I feel the strongest I ever have in my career," Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matz struck out four while needing just 39 pitches to navigate through his three perfect frames. He touched 95 mph with his sinker, which is more velocity than he typically shows at this point in camp. Matz is looking to bounce back from a disappointing first season in St. Louis which saw him limited to just 48 innings due to injuries.

Matz (5-3) struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the win in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Matz made his return from a torn left MCL in this appearance. He was immediately rewarded as the Cardinals won in the 11th inning after generating the lone run of the game on an error. This was Matz's first relief outing since 2020 with the Mets and just his sixth appearance out of the bullpen in his career. He has a 5.56 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 52:9 K:BB through 43.2 innings this year, though it's expected he'll serve as a multi-inning reliever for the rest of the campaign.

Matz (knee) was activated off the injured list Saturday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matz struggled to a 5.70 ERA in 10 starts for the Cardinals before tearing the MCL in his left knee, though his 27.4 percent strikeout rate and 4.8 percent walk rate were both strong marks. He's ready to help out in the final few weeks of the season, albeit in a bullpen role, as he didn't have time to build all the way up to a starter's workload.