With more circumstance than pomp, the Cardinals have installed second-year reliever Jordan Hicks as their closer. His lack of use recently has revealed the club’s commitment to this role. The Cardinals’ losing trudge through May left Hicks marooned in the bullpen in 15 of the 18 games before the series finale in Texas. He hasn’t pitched in a save situation in three weeks.
As he chased his longest assignment of the season, Hicks threw 12 of the 16 fastest pitches in the majors this season — all at 102.5 mph or swifter. But the bottom of the 10th inning went sideways on him.