Granillo Slams the Door in Historic Fashion, McGreevy Opens Eyes in Doubleheader Sweep
Credit: (Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images)
Small sample sizes can be deceiving in baseball. But when a rookie reliever keeps showing up in high-pressure moments — and delivering — it’s hard not to take notice.
Andre Granillo, a 25-year-old righty just getting his feet wet in the majors, gave the Cardinals exactly what they needed on Thursday. In both games of the doubleheader sweep over the White Sox, Granillo was called on in big spots — and came through each time. He picked up his first MLB win in Game 1 and followed it up with his first MLB save in Game 2.
Let’s pump the brakes on any bold declarations. Granillo has logged just five innings over four appearances. Still, he’s yet to allow a run and continues to look composed in pressure situations. That matters, especially for a Cardinals bullpen in search of reliability.
In the first game, Granillo was brought in after Steven Matz allowed two runners to reach with two outs in the seventh. After a wild pitch and a stolen base moved both into scoring position, Granillo got Lenyn Sosa to fly out, ending the threat. Moments later, a Willson Contreras two-run homer and a Yohel Pozo RBI single put the Cardinals ahead — and Granillo in line for the win.
In the nightcap, after a 6–1 lead vanished thanks to a game-tying grand slam from Andrew Benintendi off Kyle Leahy, the bullpen was stretched thin. By the 10th inning, manager Oliver Marmol turned to Granillo once again. The rookie allowed a walk but struck out a batter and kept the White Sox off the board, locking down his first career save in the 8–6 win.
Granillo’s been consistent so far — and that’s no small feat. While his electric strikeout numbers at Memphis (13.96 K/9) haven’t quite translated to the bigs yet, he’s shown plenty of poise. With Ryan Helsley struggling and other arms regressing, the Cardinals need new bullpen contributors to rise. Granillo, at the very least, has earned more chances.
Meanwhile, Michael McGreevy made the most of another brief MLB opportunity.
Brought up as the 27th man for the doubleheader, the 2021 first-round pick got the start in Game 2 and gave the Cardinals five strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits and a walk while striking out five. He left with a 6–1 lead — before the bullpen collapse took away a potential win.
McGreevy was optioned back to Triple-A after the game, but his performance didn’t go unnoticed. In three appearances with St. Louis this year, he’s posted a 2.70 ERA with 15 strikeouts and only two walks across 16.2 innings. There’s no open rotation spot for him now, but if the Cardinals move a veteran starter at the trade deadline, McGreevy will be high on the list of candidates to step in.
For a team that needs some internal reinforcements, Granillo and McGreevy both delivered on Thursday. It may be early, but performances like these are what keep prospects knocking on the big-league door.
