The Cardinals have won five times since July 25 and three of those games have been started by Joe Kelly, including Sunday's 8-4 win against the Cibs. Kelly took the no-decision, however, as he came out in the sixth inning because his pitch count reached 96.
"It looked like he was having trouble locating his fastball," manager Mike Matheny said, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "He was using his changeup a lot in tough counts. He’s been such a spark to us. Everything he’s been doing on the mound has been such a bonus."
Kelly is 3-0 with a 2.36 ERA and .225 opponents' batting average in his last six starts. Kelly, who began the year as a reliever, has tossed just 71 2/3 innings and isn't worn down like other starting pitchers.
"My body and my arm ... everything feels good," Kelly said. "Hopefully, I’ll stay just as strong the rest of the way out. And I think I will. I don’t feel any tiredness at all, mentally or physically."