CINCINNATI — When next you see Steven Matz pitch at Busch Stadium on Wednesday against his original team, the New York Mets and assuming many of you didn’t see him on Apple TV on Friday night, he isn’t likely to resemble the pitcher who gave up seven runs in three innings in his Cardinal debut on April 10.
Since that poor introduction to the home fans, Matz has taken his show on the road, displaying why the Cardinals invested four years in the left-hander. He blanked the Milwaukee Brewers on three hits over 5 2/3 innings on Sunday and then, on Friday against the Cincinnati Reds, he eluded danger throughout his five-inning stint, giving up just one run, albeit seven singles, in a 4-2 Cardinals victory.
The Cardinals won their eighth game out of 12. The Reds lost their 10th in succession, which is their longest losing streak in six seasons. They are 2-12 and already all but out of the division race after two weeks.
