The Cardinals begin a pivotal homestand Friday with the first of three against the Red Sox. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m.
Ƶ is 6-11 at home and 3-11 vs. winning teams, and the coming nine games at Busch bring numerous chances to either prove those numbers wrong or reinforce them.
After Boston, which is. 500 exactly, Baltimore and the Cubs visit.
On Friday, right-hander Kyle Gibson (2-2, 3.67) will take the mound for the Cardinals.
Gibson has a 2.10 ERA over his last five starts, four of which were quality.
In his last outing, at Milwaukee, Gibson permitted just four hard-hit balls, tying a season-best.
The Red Sox will counter with right-hander Brayan Bello (4-1, 3.13), who's pitching on his 25th birthday.
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Bello has made one start since he returned from the injured list with lat tightness.
In six total starts this season, he's permitted more than two runs just once and hasn't allowed more than six hits.
His changeup is rated as one of the better ones in the league, while his other three pitches rate below average.
Bello gets groundballs at an elite rate, ranking third in baseball last season.
Former Cardinal Tyler O'Neill bats fifth and plays left field Friday for Boston. He has 10 homers so far, tied for eighth in baseball and more than he had in all but two of his previous seasons.
Boston leads baseball with a 2.79 ERA. Its starters rank first in ERA, led by Collinsville's Tanner Houck, who's not scheduled to pitch in this series.
Kutter Crawford, who will take the hill Saturday, is just behind Houck and among MLB's top starters early on by ERA. All three starters scheduled to pitch this weekend for Boston have sub-3.50 ERAs.
The Cardinals are 18-25, last in the NL Central and eight games out of first.
Ƶ most recently took two of three in Anaheim for their first series win in more than two weeks.
The Red Sox are 22-22, good for fourth in the AL East. They're coming off losing three of four to the Rays in their previous series. The Red Sox have lost three of their last four series.
The last eight games between the two teams have been played at Fenway Park. Ƶ is 12-10 overall in regular-season play vs. Boston.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Brendan Donovan, LF
2. Lars Nootbaar, RF
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Alec Burleson, DH
6. Iván Herrera, C
7. Nolan Gorman, 2B
8. Masyn Winn, SS
9. Michael Siani, CF
P: Kyle Gibson, RHP
RED SOX
1. Jarren Duran, CF
2. Wilyer Abreu, RF
3. Connor Wong, C
4. Rafael Devers, 3B
5. Tyler O'Neill, LF
6. Dominic Smith, 1B
7. Garrett Cooper, DH
8. Vaughn Grissom, 2B
9. David Hamilton, SS
P: Brayan Bello, RHP
Injury report
Keynan Middleton (forearm strain): Began his rehab assignment with six pitches and a walk before a rainstorm interrupted his inning. Right-hander will have Wednesday off and then appear, as scheduled, Thursday. He will have several appearances for the Cardinals' minor-league affiliate before returning to the majors, and one of the milestones the team would like him to complete is appearing on back-to-back days without difficult. Middleton has been on the 15-day IL with a forearm flexor strain since the start of the season. Updated May 14
Willson Contreras (broken forearm): Contreras had surgery to put a plate in his forearm and aid the healing of a fractured ulna bone. The injury happened May 7 when Mets designated hitter J. D. Martinez took a swing and his bat dropped down and hard into Contreras’ forearm. Contreras is expected to miss at least 10 weeks as the bone heals and he rebuilds arm strength. Updated May 13
Giovanny Gallegos (right shoulder impingement): Gallegos threw a bullen session Friday. The righty went on the the 15-day injured list May 6, a day after manager Oliver Marmol said he "doesn't look right." He has been ineffective this season and his fastball velocity has dropped into the low-90s. Updated May 17
Packy Naughton (flexor tendon surgery): Lefty began his rehab assignment officially Tuesday with an assignment to the Cardinals' Florida Complex League team. He will advance through the minors on his way toward Class AAA Memphis with these games mimicking a spring training schedule. Updated May 14
Steven Matz (lower back stiffness): The lefty went on the 15-day injured list on May 3 with a lower back injury. Matz's bullpen session planned for Monday was scratched due to lingering discomfort Matz felt after playing catch. He received an anti-inflammatory shot on Monday and will not be cleared to throw for at least another seven days. Matz began experiencing soreness following a start, and during his start April 30 he had a sag in velocity and effectiveness. Updated May 13
Tommy Edman (wrist surgery): On the 10-day IL, Edman started flip/soft toss Monday and has continued to hit from both sides of the plate without limitations or the setbacks he experienced during spring training. Edman is building up strength. His hitting progression will be per usual (coach pitch, then a pitching machine) as tolerated. On May 6, he was moved to the 60-day IL. Updated May 13
Riley O'Brien (flexor tendon): Placed on the 15-day injured list on March 31 retroactive to March 29, O'Brien's right arm tightened up after his opening day appearance. The initial diagnosis is strain of the flexor tendon; scans showed no structural damage. He began his throwing progression April 23. On May 10, he was transferred to the 60-day IL. Updated May 10
Drew Rom (biceps tendinitis): He is likely to have shoulder surgery in the near future after going to Texas for a consultation with a specialist. The lefty had his rehab an injury that took place late in spring training stalled in recent weeks by persisting discomfort and weakness. Rom was added to the 60-day injured list on April 30, suggesting the club expects an extended absence. Updated May 1