Emerging relief pitcher is showing promise for the Cardinals' formidable pitching squad
St. Louis Cardinals' Riley O'Brien Shines in Late-Game Relief
In the heart of the 2025 Major League Baseball season, Riley O'Brien, a right-handed reliever for the St. Louis Cardinals, has emerged as one of their most reliable bullpen assets. After a challenging start to his career due to injuries and command issues, O'Brien has found his stride and solidified his role as a trusted late-inning pitcher [1][5].
Since his recall on June 9, O'Brien has pitched in 22 games, covering 26.2 innings, and boasts an impressive 1.01 ERA, with 27 strikeouts and only three walks [2]. His performance has been particularly noteworthy in the eighth inning and beyond, where he has struck out 10 batters while allowing only two runs in 13.2 innings [5].
One of O'Brien's standout moments came on August 4, when he recorded his first career save in a win against the Los Angeles Dodgers [1]. His electric strikeout stuff, consisting of a 98.3 mph sinker, a 90 mph slider, and more frequent use of his curveball, has been a key factor in his success with the Cardinals [4].
Despite his relative inexperience at the major league level, O'Brien's affordability and long-term contract control until at least 2027 make him a valuable asset for the Cardinals, who traded away Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, and Steven Matz at the deadline [5]. To fill the vacancies left by these relievers, the Cardinals have pulled arms up from their Memphis affiliate [6].
O'Brien's dominance on the mound is further underscored by his ability to limit opposing batters. So far this season, hitters have managed only a .193 batting average against him [7]. With a sub-2.00 ERA, multiple saves, and strong strikeout numbers, O'Brien has proven himself to be a vital part of the Cardinals' late-game relief corps [1][3][5].
As the Cardinals fight for a postseason spot, currently sitting 3.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot, O'Brien's contributions will undoubtedly play a significant role in their success. The team has already won four games against playoff contenders, the Dodgers and the Cubs [8]. With Riley O'Brien continuing to shine in the bullpen, Cardinals fans can look forward to a thrilling finish to the 2025 season.
[1] St. Louis Cardinals official website [2] Baseball-Reference.com [3] FanGraphs.com [4] MLB.com [5] ESPN.com [6] MLB Trade Rumors [7] Stathead.com [8] MLB.com/standings
In the 2025 MLB season, Riley O'Brien's impressive late-game relief pitches for the St. Louis Cardinals, particularly in the eighth inning and beyond, have been crucial, with a stunning 10 strikeouts and only two runs allowed in 13.2 innings [5]. As the Cardinals strive for a postseason spot, the affable right-handed reliever's performances, including his first career save against the Los Angeles Dodgers [1], will likely be determinant in their success.
