The Ninth Belongs to Svanson

The Cardinal Chronicle
The Ninth Belongs to Svanson
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

There are seasons when the closer’s role is debated. Questioned. Handled by committee.

This isn’t one of them.

Matt Svanson has converted 33 consecutive save opportunities in a Cardinals uniform. Thirty-three straight times the bullpen gate opened in the ninth, the outcome followed the script.

That run is part of a 39-game save streak dating back to May 23, 2023 — the longest active streak in Minor League Baseball and the fourth-longest since records have been tracked (Brian Anderson, 41; Mike James, 40; Wander Suero, 40). The consistency didn’t begin in St. Louis. It arrived with him.

Acquired from Toronto at the 2023 trade deadline in exchange for Paul DeJong and cash considerations, Svanson has done more than fill a role — he has secured it.

At 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, he attacks the strike zone with presence and power. He has recorded at least one strikeout in each of his final 20 appearances with St. Louis — the longest such streak by a Cardinals reliever since Jordan Hicks posted 22 in 2023, and the longest by a Cardinals rookie reliever since at least 1954.

His MLB debut on April 17, 2025, at Citi Field was quiet — a scoreless seventh inning, one hit allowed. His college head coach made the drive from Lehigh to witness it before returning home that night. A proud moment.

But what has followed has been louder.

When the Cardinals carry a lead into the ninth inning, there is no uncertainty.

The ninth belongs to Svanson.

 
Facebook Intro:
Thirty-three straight saves in a Cardinals uniform. No drama. No committee. Just results.
When the bullpen gate opens in the ninth, the game is in steady hands.
#STLCards #TheCardinalChronicle

 
X / Twitter Post:
33 straight saves in St. Louis.

No debate.

The ninth belongs to Svanson.

#STLCards #Cardinals #TheCardinalChronicle