Kyle Leahy has quickly become one of the most dependable pitchers in the St. Louis Cardinals’ rotation, turning what was once a major question mark into a potential strength for the club.
The 29-year-old delivered another impressive performance Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds, throwing five scoreless innings while striking out six and surrendering only three hits. His recent run has been remarkable, with Leahy posting a 1.38 ERA across his last 10 starts and allowing no more than two runs in any of those outings.
That consistency puts him in rare company in Cardinals history, matching a stretch previously accomplished by franchise legends Bob Gibson and Adam Wainwright.
A Difficult Beginning
Leahy’s current success is particularly impressive considering how poorly his transition into the starting rotation began.
After spending a strong 2024 season working out of the bullpen, Leahy was given an opportunity to become a starter in 2026. The experiment initially appeared to be going badly.
By the end of April, he carried a 5.52 ERA. He allowed at least three runs in three of his five April starts, while opposing hitters batted .306 against him. He also managed to pitch beyond the fifth inning only once during the month.
Under different circumstances, the Cardinals might have moved him back to the bullpen.
Instead, the organization stayed committed to the experiment.
Leahy Turns Things Around
The decision eventually began to pay dividends.
Leahy lowered his ERA to 2.81 in May, allowing one run or fewer in four of his five starts. He followed that with a 3.76 ERA in June, while opposing hitters continued to struggle against him.
His final two starts before the All-Star break were especially encouraging. Leahy surrendered no runs across eight innings, although one of those outings was shortened because of a lengthy rain delay.
He entered the All-Star break with a 7-4 record and a 3.73 ERA, showing that the difficult beginning to the season was becoming a distant memory.
A Dominant Second Half
Leahy has taken his performance to another level since the All-Star break.
In six starts after the break, he has yet to surrender more than two runs in a game. His ERA during that stretch stands at 1.91, while opponents are hitting only .254 against him.
Overall, Leahy has emerged as arguably the Cardinals’ most reliable starting pitcher, carrying a 10-4 record with a 3.24 ERA.
His rise has been especially important because St. Louis has received strong performances from several pitchers this season. Michael McGreevy has shown All-Star potential, Andre Pallante is enjoying a career-best campaign, and Dustin May provided dependable innings before being traded.
Despite that competition, Leahy has arguably established himself as the club’s best current starting option.
Could Leahy Be the Cardinals’ 2027 Opening Day Starter?
There are still areas where Leahy can improve.
The biggest concern is his ability to consistently pitch deep into games. However, that is something that could improve as he becomes more comfortable with the demands of being a full-time starter.
For now, the Cardinals can be encouraged by the fact that Leahy has consistently given them an opportunity to win whenever he takes the mound.
His numbers also compare favorably with several established MLB pitchers. His 3.24 ERA is better than the marks posted by some prominent starters, including Paul Skenes, Sandy Alcantara and Logan Gilbert.
His second-half turnaround has even drawn comparisons to Jack Flaherty’s remarkable 2019 campaign. Flaherty entered that year’s All-Star break with a 4-6 record and a 4.64 ERA before exploding in the second half with a 7-2 record and a 0.91 ERA.
Leahy entered the break at 7-4 with a 3.73 ERA and has since gone 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA.
If he continues pitching at this level, the Cardinals could have an unexpected candidate for their 2027 Opening Day assignment.
Faith Has Paid Off
The Cardinals’ decision to remain patient with Leahy has clearly worked in their favor.
Had the organization been focused solely on winning immediately, his rough April could have resulted in a return to the bullpen. Instead, because the club has been evaluating players for its future, Leahy received the opportunity to continue developing as a starter.
He has taken full advantage of it.
What began as one of the biggest question marks in the Cardinals’ rotation has now become one of the team’s most encouraging developments. If Leahy maintains his current form through the remainder of the season, he could enter the offseason as a serious contender to start for St. Louis on Opening Day in 2027.
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