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JUPITER, Fla. — Two innings before his turbo-charged changeup got an awkward swing and nod of appreciation from the highest-paid player in the game, Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy could only shake his head late Friday night for the cut fastball he tried to get past Juan Soto.

It landed somewhere out there as a souvenir beyond the right-center wall.

“You’d love to throw a good cutter all the time, especially at that time,� said the rookie right-hander. “That one was down, not located well, and right in the lefty’s honey hole. I was a lefthanded batter. I saw where that pitch was. I’d love to hit that pitch. But looking back at the at-bat, he saw three cutters. Why on Earth would I throw one of the best hitters on the planet the same three pitches in that one at-bat, especially with the last one being the worst of the three?

“No,� McGreevy concluded, “read the swing. Know the pitches.�

What began last year with three sneak-peek starts in the majors has become a main attraction this spring for McGreevy. He and his mix of pitches shoved their way into the starter conversation. This past week, the Cardinals split McGreevy and Andre Pallante onto different days to avoid piggybacking and continue increasing their pitch counts. Matthew Liberatore is also remaining on a starter program. That leaves, effectively, seven starters still in camp for the five spots the Cardinals expect for the opening of the season.

On this selection Sunday, as the NCAA announces its field for the men’s basketball March Madness tournament, the Cardinals have their own Final Four of decisions to make.

They had top seeds entering camp.

There are birds on the bubble.

No bracket-busters but maybe a sleeper or two.

With the Cardinals’ elimination tourney entering its final week, here are the four spots on the roster that are still a jump ball, and where better to begin than at the start:

1. Fifth starter

Standing in a weight room nearest Clover Park’s visitors clubhouse, McGreevy retraced his pitches through two at-bats against Soto late Friday night in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Working with a catcher he just met a few days earlier, McGreevy made the mistake of trying the cutter too many times to Soto in the first at-bat. In the third inning, McGreevy shifted to his sinker for the first two pitches and got a called second strike with it — plus the familiar nod from Soto.

For his third pitch, McGreevy tucked an 89-mph changeup under the zone for an unfamiliar swing from Soto and the strikeout.

The only run McGreevy allowed in four innings was Soto’s homer, and the young right-hander landed six different types of pitches for strikes, got at least one swing and a miss on each.

“Multiple cutters got him,� Marmol said. “Good to see that matchup again, and just the way he approached it. His demeanor and overall mentality toward the at-bat. I like that he stayed on the attack and didn’t shy away.�

The Cardinals want McGreevy to remain a starter, and only the level where he starts is the question. If in Class AAA Memphis, he’d be the de facto sixth starter and could be called on regularly for cameo appearances. Or, he must nudge aside an incumbent in the rotation. The Cardinals are less rigid when it comes to Liberatore’s role. He’ll be on the opening day roster, executive John Mozeliak said, and the club believes the lefty can follow the footpath of other prospects from the bullpen into the rotation.

Pallante made his fourth start of spring Saturday in Toronto’s first ever visit to face the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. The right-hander tumbled into trouble in the second inning when he walked two and then allowed three consecutive base hits, including a bunt he stumbled to field at the mound. Pallante limited the damage of the inning with help from a snazzy 3-2-3 double play turned by Willson Contreras. And then Pallante cruised, retiring the next nine batters. He finished five innings with six hits allowed and five strikeouts.

“Just needs to be himself,� Marmol said.

The Cardinals entered camp with five starters in place and, while open to discussing trades involving either Erick Fedde or Steven Matz, expecting to leave as the starters. Marmol was asked late Friday how steep the challenge McGreevy had to overcome just to get this deep into camp still starting, and he smiled.

“That’s what the big leagues are about,� the manager said.

Top seed entering camp: Andre Pallante, RHP

Sleeper: Michael McGreevy, RHP

Bird on the Bubble: Matthew Liberatore, LHP

2. Right-handed relief

In the days since signing veteran reliever Phil Maton to a one-year, big-league deal, the Cardinals have optioned to Class AAA right-handers Gordon Graceffo, Roddery Munoz, and, on Saturday, Riley O’Brien. All three had been in the running for the final right-handed spot in the bullpen with Maton’s arrival, and all are expected to see innings at some point this summer in St. Louis. The moves distill the derby for the opening day bullpen.

It’s not a coincidence that Chris Roycroft and Nick Anderson were scheduled to pitch Saturday alongside closer Ryan Helsley. Anderson is eligible to be picked up by the other 29 teams and placed on their active roster if he does not make the Cardinals’ opening day roster. The former Rays standout has steadily improved with each outing until a clunker Saturday when he allowed two homers the ninth inning. Roycroft bulldozed out of the bullpen from the beginning, taking a 0.00 ERA and five strikeouts into Saturday’s game. He struck out one in a scoreless inning. In his previous outing he struck out three when given a save opportunity vs. the Yankees. Kyle Leahy also continues to make his case.

And the focus is tightening.

And in the coming days, Marmol will shift to a more game-like approach for relievers that will reveal how he sees the roles sorting out as they lead up to Helsley.

Top seed entering camp: Ryan Fernandez, RHP

Sleeper: Chris Roycroft, RHP

Bird on the Bubble: Nick Anderson, RHP

3. Utility role

The opening with the most elasticity for the decision is, fittingly, the one that requires the most versatility. The challenger for the spot, former Reds top prospect Jose Barrero, signed with the Cardinals in part because his friend Albert Pujols had played there, and he was introduced to Pujols through a former Cardinals farmhand who is as close as a brother — Ryde Rodriguez.

Barrero has established an edge defensively by proving proficient at shortstop and center field, where he appeared Saturday. Offensively, the Cardinals have asked him to adjust his approach for more contact. Seasoned utility fielder Jose Fermin is deft at making contact and providing a reliable at-bat, and Michael Helman has been sharp at second base. Marmol said he wants to see all three more often at shortstop in the closing games of camp.

Had the Cardinals been able to trade Nolan Arenado in the offseason, this spot may have been manned by prospect Thomas Saggese, who could play regularly in a utility spot. The Cardinals are more likely to prioritize everyday starts for Saggese and do that Class AAA.

Top seed entering camp: Jose Fermin, UT

Sleeper: Jose Barrero, SS/CF

Bird(s) on the Bubble: Michael Helman, UT, and Thomas Saggese, 2B/3B

4. Starting center fielder

The Cardinals began Saturday’s game against the Blue Jays with the outfield they advertised all winter long as their planned trio: Lars Nootbaar in left, Michael Siani in center, and Jordan Walker in right field and back from a knee injury. Spring has not cemented that setup.

Siani singled in his first at-bat, by the time he grounded out in the sixth inning had slipped to 3-for-34 (.088) this spring. The best glove of the group, Siani’s struggles at the plate invite the Cardinals too look for more offense from center field and an opening in left that create playing time for others. Nootbaar has been drilling with coach Jon Jay on his reads and reactions in center to make that an option, and he homered Saturday to continue a solid spring at the plate that could make that a reality for the Cardinals.

Prospect Victor Scott II had two hits in Friday night’s game, and he’s made strides defensively to greater use his speed in center. Marmol said he’s had a “phenomenal spring.� That only underscores what the Cardinals believe Scott could become with guaranteed playing time — most likely in Memphis.

“All three of them are in a different spot,� Marmol said. “Vic has done a nice job of utilizing his short game and bunting when necessary. … Siani, on the other side, has made some nice plays in center and has been searching offensively.�

This is the one where the opening day decision could be the buzzer-beater.

Top seed entering camp: Michael Siani, CF

Sleeper: Lars Nootbaar, OF

Bird on the Bubble: Victor Scott II, OF