Change is in the air as the Cardinals begin a home series Monday against the defending World Series champion Rangers. First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m. Ƶ time.
The makeup of the two teams could be significantly different by the end of this three-game set.
Prior to Monday's game, the Cardinals executed a three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.
The Cardinals acquired pitcher Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham from the White Sox,as previously reported by the Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold.
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Infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman went from the Cardinals to the Dodgers in the deal, and the Cardinals also sent minor-league pitcher Oliver Gonzalez to the Dodgers. The Cardinals will also receive a player to be named later from the Dodgers and cash considerations from the White Sox.
The Rangers' trade status seems to change by the series.
A July surge and a four-game sweep of the White Sox made them buyers, according to a report from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
Then they suffered a three-game sweep at Toronto this weekend, .
On Sunday, Texas acquired ex-Cardinals catcher Carson Kelly from Detroit. Then Texas swapped pitchers with Kansas City on Monday.
As for Monday's game, right-hander Andre Pallante (4-4, 3.92) will take the mound for the Cardinals.
Pallante was a hard-luck loser in his last outing, allowing one run in six innings at Pittsburgh.
He's 4-3 with a 3.42 ERA since moving into the rotation in late May.
The Rangers will counter with right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (7-4, 3.31).
Eovaldi has been a significant part of trade speculation ahead of Tuesday's deadline, if the Rangers choose to sell.
Eovaldi sports a groundball rate that's top 10 among qualified starters, and batters are hitting . 183 off his fastball, his most-thrown pitch.
He's faced the Cardinals four times in his career, though not since 2014. He's 0-2 with a 3.42 ERA and his teams have lost three of those four games.
Prior to Monday's game, the Rangers made a flurry of roster moves, including adding former Cardinals catcher Carson Kelly to the active roster. The Rangers acquired Kelly from the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.
In order to make room on the active roster, the Rangers optioned another former Cardinald catcher, Andrew Knizner, to Triple-A Round Rock.
The Rangers also activated third baseman Josh Jung and left-handed pitcher Cody Bradford from the 60-day injured list, and they recalled infielder/outfielder Ezequiel Duran and right-handed pitcher Gerson Garabito from Triple-A. Infielders Justin Foscue and Jonathan Ornelas were also optioned to Triple-A. Infielder Davis Wendzel was designated for assignment.
Joe Buck returns to the Cardinals’ broadcast team and will call Monday's game alongside Chip Caray after a rainout scratched Buck's earlier return.
The Cardinals are 54-51, second in the NL Central and six games out of first. Ƶ is 6-9 in its last 14 games.
The Rangers are 51-55, third in the AL West. They've lost three straight after a 14-9 surge lifted them to the brink of .500.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Masyn Winn, SS
2. Alec Burleson, LF
3. Willson Contreras, C
4. Brendan Donovan, 2B
5. Nolan Arenado, 3B
6. Lars Nootbaar, RF
7. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
8. Matt Carpenter, DH
9. Michael Siani, CF
P: Andre Pallante, RHP
RANGERS
1. Josh Smith, 3B
2. Corey Seager, SS
3. Marcus Semien, 2B
4. Wyatt Langford, LF
5. Adolis Garcia, RF
6. Nathaniel Lowe, 1B
7. Ezequiel Duran, DH
8. Jonah Heim, C
9. Leody Taveras, CF
P: Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
Injury report
Riley O'Brien (flexor tendon):The right-hander is scheduled to throw an inning of relief for Memphis on Sunday and, barring any setbacks, will continue his rehab assignment on Wednesday. O’Brien’s workload on Wednesday could have him throw one-plus innings or be the first of back-to-back appearances, Marmol said. The Cardinals manager noted that, from a baseball decision point of view, he’d prefer O’Brien to throw in back-to-back outings to see how the right-hander responds to consecutive days of pitching in a game. Since beginning his rehab assignment on July 20, O’Brien has appeared in three games for Memphis and completed an inning apiece in each outing.Updated July 28
Steven Matz (lower back stiffness):Plans are for Matz, who simulated two innings of work in a bullpen session on Saturday, to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday, likely with Class AAA Memphis. The left-hander is scheduled to pitch two innings (or throw 40 pitches) in what would be his first game action since June 16, which was a rehab appearance with Class AA Springfield. Matz experienced discomfort in his back following the June 16 outing and had his rehab progress reset following a no-throw period.Updated July 28