Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Part Of MLB’s Biggest Scandal Of 2025

The Cardinals inadvertently were a part of the scandal...
Patrick McAvoy|
Sep 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of the hat and glove of St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Nolan Gorman (not pictured) before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Sep 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of the hat and glove of St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Nolan Gorman (not pictured) before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

In this story:

St. Louis CardinalsCleveland Guardians

It was a big day across Major League Baseball on Thursday.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz under investigation investigation by Major League Baseball due to potential gambling question marks. Ortiz's investigation reportedly centers around two specific pitches from this season that Ortiz threw for balls that triggered betting alerts.

The St. Louis Cardinals inadvertently played a role in the scandal as one of those two pitches were against the club toward the end of June.

"Cleveland Guardians right-hander Luis Ortiz is under investigation by Major League Baseball after a betting-integrity firm flagged a pair of pitches that had received unusual gambling activity, sources told ESPN on Thursday," Passan said. "Sources said betting-integrity firm IC360 sent an alert in June to sportsbook operators regarding Ortiz, whom MLB has placed on "non-disciplinary paid leave" through July 17.

"The alert, according to sources who reviewed it, referenced action on Ortiz's first pitches in select innings to be a ball or a hit batsman in two games: June 15 against the Seattle Mariners and June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals. In both the bottom of the second inning against the Mariners and the top of the third inning against the Cardinals, Ortiz threw a first-pitch slider that was well outside the strike zone."

You can find Passan's entire striking report right here.

The Cardinals obviously didn't do anything wrong in this scenario. It's still wild that they now are at least slightly involved in the scandal.

More MLB: Cardinals Explained: What Insiders Are Saying For Deadline

Published
Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu

Home/St. Louis Cardinals News