The Cardinals try to keep the wins coming as they wrap up a road series Wednesday against the Angels. First pitch is set for 8:07 p.m. Ƶ time.
Ƶ, which had lost seven straight entering Sunday, has now won three straight after Tuesday's rally for a 7-6 win.
Right-hander Lance Lynn (1-1, 3.79) will take the mound for the Cardinals. Lynn's last two starts have combined to add about a run to his ERA, which is still two runs better than his final tally last season.
He gave up five runs, four earned, in each of his last two outings, his two worst of the season. Batters have recorded five hits off his fastball in the past two games after they totaled seven in Lynn's first six games of the season.
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The Angels will counter with right-hander Griffin Canning (1-4, 5.75), who has one of the better changeups in baseball.
Canning, after a dreadful beginning to the season, has shown improvement in recent starts, putting up a 3.67 ERA over his last five starts and a 1.54 in his last two.
Last time out, he didn't allow a run for the first time this season.
Coinciding with that improvement, Canning has been throwing fewer fastballs, preferring to lead with his changeup and his slider. A season-low 14.4% of his pitches were fastballs last time out.
After a schedule front-loaded to the left coast, the Cardinals only have one more trip west remaining.
Over the next four months, the team will play all of its games in the Central and Eastern time zones before heading to Colorado and San Francisco in late September.
The Cardinals are 18-24, fourth in the NL Central and 7 1/2 games out of first and just 2 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot.
Winners of three straight for the first time this season, Ƶ has also scored four or more runs in three straight games. They've done that twice previously this season.
The Redbirds' offense has recorded double-digit hit totals in four straight games for the first time in more than a year.
A win Wednesday would give Ƶ two consecutive three-game sweeps in Anaheim, the previous one coming in 2016.
The Angels are 15-28, last in the AL West, and 5-16 at home.
After Wednesday's game, Ƶ next returns home for their next nine games, three each vs. Boston, Baltimore and the Cubs.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Matt Carpenter, DH
2. Lars Nootbaar, RF
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Alec Burleson, LF
6. Iván Herrera, C
7. Brendan Donovan, 2B
8. Masyn Winn, SS
9. Michael Siani, CF
P: Lance Lynn, RHP
ANGELS
1. Nolan Schanuel, 1B
2. Luis Guillorme, 3B
3. Taylor Ward, LF
4. Willie Calhoun, DH
5. Kevin Pillar, RF
6. Logan O'Hoppe, C
7. Mickey Moniak, CF
8. Zach Neto, SS
9. Kyren Paris, 2B
P: Griffin Canning, 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): 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. Gallegos remains on a rest program after receiving treatment and will begin a throwing progression. Updated May 13
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