After several days of internal discussion and several games of waiting to see who was needed and when out of the bullpen, the Cardinals reached Sunday without naming a starter for the series finale.
They could in several directions, including a bullpen game.
They turned right.
Andre Pallante will get a third consecutive start in Steven Matz's spot. Pallante was revealed as the game's starter by manager Oliver Marmol early Sunday morning. Pallante is coming off a difficult start in Houston that saw the Astros stack the right-handed batters against him and challenge the improvements and changes Pallante has tried to make as a starter. In two starts since returning from Class AAA Memphis, Pallante authored six shutout innings and a win at Cincinnati, and then he had the six runs allowed on six hits and three walks in three innings at Houston.Ìý
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Hoping to avoid a series loss to one of baseball's worst teams, the Cardinals wrap up a four-game home series Sunday against the Rockies. First pitch is set for 1:15 p.m.
On Saturday, the Cardinals could not capitalize on the Rockies' gifts.
The Rockies will counter Sunday with left-hander Ty Blach (2-3, 4.54). The Rockies signed Blach, 33, to a minor league deal in the offseason and called him up in late April.
He has a 5.82 ERA in his last four starts.
Only his curve, which he throws 10% of the time, rates as above average.
The Cardinals are 30-33 and one of four NL Central teams separated by a game for second place.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ has lost six of its last nine.
The Rockies are 23-41, last in the NL West. Late last month, they claimed series wins vs. division leaders Cleveland and Philadelphia.
Colorado called up top prospect Adael Amador before Sunday's game for his MLB debut. The 21-year-old Dominican middle infielder, who's skipping Triple-A, is the in baseball. He will bat eighth and play second base on Sunday.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Masyn Winn, SS
2. Alec Burleson, DH
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Nolan Gorman, 2B
6. Dylan Carlson, RF
7. Brendan Donovan, LF
8. Pedro Pages, C
9. Michael Siani, CF
P: Andre Pallante, RHP
ROCKIES
1. Charlie Blackmon, DH
2. Ezequiel Tovar, SS
3. Ryan McMahon, 3B
4. Elias DÃaz, C
5. Brenton Doyle, CF
6. Jake Cave, LF
7. Michael Toglia, 1B
8. Adael Amador, 2B
9. Greg Jones, RF
P: Ty Blach, LHP
Injury report
Giovanny Gallegos (right shoulder impingement):ÌýRight-hander threw a scoreless inning Saturday for Class AAA Memphis in Omaha, a day earlier than previously advertised. The Cardinals are now discussion whether his next outing will be four or more outs Tuesday at an affiliate or if he'll appear in back-to-back games Wednesday and Thursday for an affiliate. That is the final step before he's considered for a return to the majors.ÌýUpdated June 9Ìý
Willson Contreras (fractured arm):ÌýContreras caught a bullpen session Friday and felt strong coming out of it on Saturday. He started taking swings Saturday after a CT scan of his arm was reviewed by doctors and he was cleared for more intensive baseball activities. Asked about his return, the catcher expects it to be before the calendar turns to July. "I love how eager he is to get back," said manager Oliver Marmol. Updated June 8
Steven Matz (lower back stiffness):ÌýThe lefty pitched two innings for Class AAA Memphis in Omaha, Nebraska, on Thursday as the first step in a rehab assignment. He'll start Tuesday for Class AA Springfield, and the goal will be between 40 and 45 pitches. Matz was targeted for 40 to 45 pitches but needed only 24 pitches to get six outs and through two innings. Updated June 8
Keynan Middleton (forearm strain):ÌýAn update on Middleton's season-ending surgery is available here. He will have the surgery next week. Updated June 5
Riley O'Brien (flexor tendon):ÌýAfter strong bullpen sessions this past week and recovery, O'Brien will throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, facing hitters at one of the team's affiliates. If that goes well, he could see a rehab assignment within days. Originally on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 29, O'Brien was moved to the 60-day list on May 10, about two weeks after beginning a throwing progression.ÌýUpdated June 9
Nick Robertson (elbow inflammation):ÌýRobertson completed a low-intensity bullpen session and did not experience any difficult or soreness following the workout. He completed a normal bullpen Saturday at Busch Stadium, and how quickly he advances from there will depend on how he feels Sunday. He experienced a “little tightness†in his elbow during a throwing session in late May.ÌýUpdated June 8Ìý
Tommy Edman (wrist surgery):ÌýSwitch-hitter is taking batting practice from both sides of the plate. The workout is similar to how his teammates prepare for games with coach-pitch batting practice, and he will advance from these workouts to pitching machine and higher velocities. Internally, the Cardinals are expecting the return of their center fielder around the All-Star break. John Mozeliak, the team's president of baseball operations, told attendees of the Cardinals' annual "Blogger Day" that Edman is expected to return before the end of this month.ÌýUpdated June 6
Lars Nootbaar (oblique strain):ÌýOutfielder went on the 10-day injured list Friday with a strained oblique. Marmol called the strain "moderate," but the Cardinals are braced for Nootbaar to miss several weeks. It is the second time this season that he is on the injured list and the latest injury comes a few days after the Cardinals proactively gave Nootbaar time off to avoid a hamstring injury.ÌýUpdated June 5
Packy Naughton (flexor tendon surgery):ÌýHas joined Class A Palm Beach for the next stage of his rehab assignment. He's working his way toward Class AAA.ÌýUpdated May 31