After dropping Thursday's opener, the Cardinals continue a four-game home series Friday against the Rockies. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m.
Right-hander Lance Lynn (2-3, 3.23) will take the mound for the Cardinals.
Lynn only made it through four innings in his last outing as the Phillies scored four unearned runs against him thanks to three Cardinals errors, one of which Lynn committed.
He has a 0.56 ERA in his last three outings.
Lynn's 2.02 career ERA in 10 starts vs. the Rockies is his lowest against any opponent with more than two starts.
The Rockies will counter with left-hander Austin Gomber (1-3, 3.06), who came up with the Cardinals and was dealt to the Rockies as part of the Nolan Arenado trade. Another part of that trade that went to Colorado, infielder Elehuris Montero, is starting at first base for the Rockies.
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Gomber, age 30, has shaved 2 1/2 runs off his 2023 ERA while using a similar pitch mix.
Gomber lasted only three innings last time out, at Dodger Stadium, throwing 79 pitches and allowing three runs. He was scratched the start before that with elbow tightness.
Last August, he didn't allow a run in six innings of work vs. the Cardinals.
Ƶ sports a .610 team OPS vs. lefties, which is tied for second-worst in baseball.
The Cardinals are 29-32, tied for third in the NL Central and 6 1/2 games out of first. Ƶ has lost five of its last seven after climbing back to .500 with a 12-3 surge last month.
The Cardinals have a team OPS of .651 in their last seven games. During the stretch in which they went 12-3 last month, they were second-best in baseball with an .805 OPS.
The Rockies are 22-40, last in the NL West. Their minus-96 run differential is worst in the National League.
After a franchise-worst 8-28 start, Colorado has been more competitive of late, going 14-12 since.
Colorado is 16-45 all-time at the current Busch Stadium. Last year's Rockies series win vs. the Cardinals at Busch was the team's first there since 2009.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Masyn Winn, SS
2. Alec Burleson, RF
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Nolan Gorman, 2B
6. Iván Herrera, C
7. José Fermín, DH
8. Brendan Donovan, LF
9. Dylan Carlson, CF
P: Lance Lynn, RHP
ROCKIES
1. Charlie Blackmon, DH
2. Ezequiel Tovar, SS
3. Ryan McMahon, 3B
4. Elias Díaz, C
5. Brendan Rodgers, 2B
6. Brenton Doyle, CF
7. Elehuris Montero, 1B
8. Jake Cave, LF
9. Michael Toglia, RF
P: Austin Gomber, LHP
Injury report
Willson Contreras (fractured arm):Cleared for baseball activity Friday, the Cardinals' catcher wasted no time throwing himself into it. Contreras caught a bullpen session Friday, and on Saturday he'll begin a hitting progression with swings off a tee and possibly soft toss. 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 7
Steven Matz (lower back stiffness):The 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 one of the Cardinals' affiliates, those the location has not been determined. Matz was targeted for 40 to 45 pitches but needed only 24 pitches to get six outs. Updated June 7
Giovanny Gallegos (right shoulder impingement):Right-hander pitched Thursday in relief of Matz at Omaha. Though his line was bruising, Gallegos recovered well, and now after a weekend break he'll be targeted for back-to-back appearances at some point next week for an affiliate. Updated June 7
Keynan Middleton (forearm strain):An 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):Reliever will throw his third bullpen session Saturday at Busch Stadium. After that, if he recovers well, Riley will be scheduled for the beginning of a rehab assignment with a minor-league affiliate, and he could be starting one by Tuesday. 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.Updated June 5
Nick Robertson (elbow inflammation):Robertson completed a low-intensity bullpen session and did not experience any difficult or soreness following the workout. He'll advance to 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.Updated June 7
Tommy Edman (wrist surgery):Switch-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. He has been able to increase the intensity of his fielding work, and the team is steadily mapping out a timetable for his return to game-speed action such as live batting practice. Internally, the Cardinals are expecting the return of their center fielder around the All-Star break. His rehab is mirroring a spring training schedule, and he'll have several weeks of games and live batting practices before a return.Updated June 6
Lars Nootbaar (oblique strain):Outfielder 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.Updated June 5
Packy Naughton (flexor tendon surgery):Has joined Class A Palm Beach for the next stage of his rehab assignment. He's working his way toward Class AAA.Updated May 31