The Cardinals wrap up a home series Sunday against the White Sox with hopes of avoiding an embarrassing series loss. First pitch is set for 1:15 p.m.
The Cardinals are trying to avoid becoming just the second team to lose a series to the White Sox this year. Saturday's White Sox win was that team's second road victory of the season.
Before the game, the Cardinals activated Dylan Carlson. He'll start in center and bat fifth Sunday, his season debut.
Carlson sustained a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder when he collided with teammate Jordan Walker as both attempted to catch a line drive in a spring training game.
Catcher Pedro Pag茅s was optioned to Memphis to make room.
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Jos茅 Ferm铆n will make his first start of the year and play second for the Cardinals.
Left-hander Matthew Liberatore (1-1, 2.76) will make his first start of the year Sunday for the Cardinals, who had a hole in their rotation following an injury to Steven Matz.
He's thrown as many as 47 pitches in a game this year. His slider, a trouble area last year, has been unhittable so far.
As a starter in his career, Liberatore, 24, is 4-7 with a 5.72 ERA in 18 starts.
The White Sox will counter with left-hander Garrett Crochet (1-4, 5.97), the 11th overall draft pick in 2020. Injuries have derailed Crochet's career, but after a healthy offseason, he moved into the rotation for the first time this year.
His 32.9% strikeout rate is one of baseball's best for a starter. His , based on quality of contact, is just 2.47. His fastball averages 96.7mph, which is the fifth-fastest for a starter this year.
The Cardinals are 15-18, fourth in the NL Central and 5 1/2 games out of first. 狐狸视频 has won two of its last three series.
The White Sox are 7-26, last in the AL Central. In 10 series this season entering this weekend, the White Sox have been swept six times, lost three by non-sweep and won just one series.
Both the Cardinals and White Sox are near the bottom of MLB offensive rankings. They have the two lowest home run totals, the two lowest run totals and two of the three lowest OPS numbers.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Brendan Donovan, LF
2. Willson Contreras, DH
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Dylan Carlson, CF
6. Iv谩n Herrera, C
7. Masyn Winn, SS
8. Jos茅 Ferm铆n, 2B
9. Lars Nootbaar, RF
P: Matthew Liberatore, LHP
WHITE SOX
1. Robbie Grossman, LF
2. Tommy Pham, CF
3. Andrew Vaughn, 1B
4. Eloy Jim茅nez, DH
5. Gavin Sheets, RF
6. Paul DeJong, SS
7. Bryan Ramos, 3B
8. Mart铆n Maldonado, C
9. Braden Shewmake, 2B
P: Garrett Crochet, LHP
Injury report
Steven Matz (lower back stiffness):聽The lefty went on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a lower back injury. Matz began experiencing soreness following his start this past week, and during his start Tuesday he had a sag in velocity and effectiveness. Manager Oliver Marmol indicated the team thought it would be a shorter IL stint. Updated May 3
Tommy Edman (wrist surgery):聽On the 10-day IL, Edman took swings off a tee from both sides of the plate last week. He had been limited to hitting only from the right side, but recently advanced without any soreness. His hitting progression will be per usual (coach pitch, then a pitching machine) as tolerated.聽Updated April 29
Matt Carpenter (oblique strain): Headed for a rehab assignment Thursday聽with Class AA Springfield in Tulsa. He will play first base and designated hitter in an attempt to build up at-bats over the weekend before returning to bench role in the majors. Placed on the 10-day injured list, backdated to April 2 after feeling discomfort in his torso pregame.聽Updated May 1
Riley O'Brien (flexor tendon):聽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.聽Updated April 29
Dylan Carlson (sprained shoulder): He completed a minor-league rehab assignment and was activated Sunday. Carlson sustained a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder when he collided with teammate Jordan Walker as both attempted to catch a line drive in a spring training game. Updated May 5
Keynan Middleton (forearm strain): On the 15-day IL, Middleton threw a bullpen session this week for the first time since spring training. He鈥檚 been sidelined by a forearm flexor strain. The planned progression for Middleton includes a pair of bullpen sessions this week followed by him starting a minor-league rehab assignment Friday, likely with Double A Springfield.聽Updated May 4
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 this week suggesting the club expects an extended absence. May 1