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WASHINGTON — The situation the Cardinals coaching staff prepared for throughout the series at Nationals Park surfaced in the sixth inning of the finale Sunday with the potential tying run on base, and they had just the pitcher stashed in the bullpen to handle it.

Steven Matz held the lead firm and showed the same impact in a short, contained moment at the end of a stretch where the benefit of his versatility in April is paying off in games this May, regardless of whether he pitched in them.

“Because his line is so good right now, you could a make case that he’s our most valuable pitcher,� starter Miles Mikolas said. “That’s one of those underrated pieces for us because of not just what he’s done on the field but his ripple effect. We’ve got 20 games in a row, no off-days, and he can step in for a handful of starts, give our other starters a little breathing room, and look how he’s made everybody better.�

Since spring training, when he was one of the top performers, Matz has seesawed between roles — long relief, spot starter, sixth starter and now he’s situated for a spell as a higher-leverage lefty.

In Sunday’s 6-1 victory against Washington to complete the series sweep, Matz relieved Mikolas with a runner at second base and a tandem of left-handed hitters due up. One of them, Nathaniel Lowe, had hit a home run off Mikolas earlier. Matz got a flyout and then struck out Lowe to hold a one-run lead at the time. Matz retired all five batters he faced for his third hold of the season and his seventh scoreless appearance in 11 outings.

That includes a four-inning start.

That includes a two-out hold.

And, as Mikolas suggested, the “ripple effect� of his work can be seen in the past week as the Cardinals saw the rotation plunge deeper into game. The Cardinals starter has the win in five consecutive games, and in the four before Mikolas’ start Sunday, the starters had pitched at least seven innings, led by Erick Fedde’s complete game shutout Friday night. In his office Sunday afternoon, manager Oliver Marmol was asked if anything from the past week from the starters can be traced back to what Matz did sliding seamlessly between roles in April.

“Our starters, one, are healthy,� Marmol said. “Two, they’re feeling really good and strong, and now you’re able to push them a little bit more if needed, which we were able to do this series and which we were hesitant to do, by strategy, and not doing in April. What he’s done has allowed for the flexibility in the ’pen and the strength of our rotation at the moment.�

With him available for help, the rotation took shape by May.

With him recast in relief, the bullpen is taking shape in May.

Since the promotion of prospect Gordon Graceffo, the Cardinals have watched roles begin to solidify. Kyle Leahy and Phil Maton get the seventh and eighth innings with leads, as Maton pitched the eighth Sunday. JoJo Romero is the top lefty setup option. Ryan Helsley has the ninth for saves. And as Marmol and his staff looked at mid-game spots where left-handed hitters lurk for the Nationals, they wanted to Matz ready if they would go “aggressive.�

“Matz allows for you to do some different things because you feel comfortable with him how we used him today, but you’re also comfortable in using him in JoJo’s spot depending on availability. We had Matz ready for that spot in this series, and you get to Game 3 and you know you can unload knowing that you’ve got the bullpen.�

Mikolas had only thrown 69 pitches and allowed the solo homer when Matz entered the game in the sixth. Matz had been out in the bullpen doing the calculations around with the dugout — they wanted to avoid using Romero that early, Mikolas would be seeing left-handed hitters James Wood and Lowe for a third time, and most importantly, the Cardinals had a one-run lead. A wider lead, Mikolas gets a longer look.

The slim lead brought Matz in for a look in a short burst.

The lefty trimmed his ERA down to 1.35 through his first 26 2/3 innings this season. Those innings have come in spots as brief as three batters or as long as five innings. He’s struck out 22 and allowed 21 hits, and he takes a 14-inning scoreless streak into his next appearance.

He’s even adjusted his approach from one role to the next. As a starter he defies hitters with his change-up. He only threw one change-up Sunday, spinning the Nationals instead with a curveball. And he’ll shift based on fitting what the Cardinals ask from him next.

“I’m starting to figure out how to approach those situations,� Matz said. “Earlier, I was still trying to feel it out.�

Missouri senator checks MLB TV signal

During a Senate Commerce Committee hearing this past week on Capitol Hill, U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., questioned an official from Major League Baseball about the plan to get fans easier and more complete access to games. He spoke personally about how watches the Cardinals and described how he’s gone through subscriptions, different broadcast outlets and run into blackouts.

“It’s been a journey,� Schmitt told Kenny Gersh, MLB’s executive vice president of media and business development.

According to a transcript of the hearing, Gersh responded with some details about where the commissioner’s office and MLB would like to go for a solution to the regional sports network crater that’s reduced access to games and — for teams like the Cardinals — revenue.

“Where this is going is a great question,â€� Gersh said during a hearing titled “Field of Streams: The New Channel Guide for ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ Fans.â€� “As the commissioner has stated, he is looking to get a more national product. I think we would like to see more of our games available more broadly, more nationally, and then kind of have one place where fans know to go to watch games that aren’t being broadcast nationally. Our main rights deal comes up after the 2028 season. That’s what we’re looking to achieve.â€�

Schmitt then asked about blackouts keeping him from Cardinals games.

Some owners have shared the Cardinals’ preference to end blackouts.

“It may be an MLB app. It may be that we partner with Amazon or an Apple or YouTube or one of the other major streaming services and they become the home of baseball,� Gersh said. “I think the idea is to make it simpler for fans.�

Extra bases

Ivan Herrera started again at designated hitter Sunday, though Marmol assured there is a plan to get him back at catcher some in the near future.

• This was the first time the Cardinals faced the Nationals franchise on Mother’s Day since they relocated from Montreal and rebranded from the Expos. The Cardinals won against the Expos in 2004 and 1973 on Mother’s Day, and overall since the holiday began, the Cardinals are 55-67-2 on the holiday.
• Victor Scott II extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an RBI single in the seventh inning. Since April 21, Scott is 8 for 16 (.500-) with runners in scoring position.