Fresh off a much-needed win in Milwaukee, the Cardinals head west to begin a road series Monday against the Angels. First pitch is set for 8:38 p.m. Ƶ time.
Left-hander Matthew Liberatore (1-1, 3.54) will take the mound for the Cardinals as he fills in again for the injured Steven Matz.
Liberatore will not be fully stretched out for Monday’s outing, but the Cardinals could push him past the 50 pitches he threw in his last spot start. That was against the Chicago White Sox on May 5.
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He gave up one run in 3 2/3 innings that day. He also threw 13 pitches in relief Friday in Milwaukee, when he was charged with two earned runs.
Manager Oliver Marmol would not say whether the Cardinals planned to continue stretching out Liberatore to formally take over the fifth starter spot.
Liberatore has traditionally given up a lot of hard contact, but this year batters are hitting the ball at a significantly lower launch angle. His ERA this season is two runs lower than his career mark entering the year.
The Angels will counter with flame-throwing right-hander José Soriano (1-4, 4.32). His fastball can reach 101mph and his sinker also sometimes tops 100.
Entering his second MLB season, Soriano, 25, has worked mostly in relief until moving into the rotation early this season.
Angels slugger Mike Trout is recovering from surgery for a torn meniscus and will miss the series.
The Cardinals are 16-24, last in the NL Central and eight games out of first. Ƶ had lost seven straight and nine of 10 before Sunday's skid-snapping win in Milwaukee.
The Angels are 15-26, last in the AL West. They're just 5-14 at home, having lost three of four to Kansas City in Anaheim over the weekend.
A middling offensive team, the Angels have struggled to prevent runs. Their relief ERA of 4.87 is third-worst in baseball while starters have put up a 4.63 ERA, sixth-worst.
The Cardinals have played six previous games at Angel Stadium, and they're 4-2. The Redbirds swept a three-game set in their last visit, in 2016.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Matt Carpenter, DH
2. Lars Nootbaar, RF
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Nolan Gorman, 2B
6. Ivan Herrera, C
7. Brendan Donovan, LF
8. Masyn Winn, SS
9. Michael Siani, CF
P: Matthew Liberatore, LHP
ANGELS
1. Nolan Schanuel, 1B
2. Jo Adell, RF
3. Taylor Ward, LF
4. Kevin Pillar, CF
5. Logan O'Hoppe, C
6. Willie Calhoun, DH
7. Niko Goodrum, 3B
8. Zach Neto, SS
9. Kyren Paris, 2B
P: José Soriano, RHP
Injury report
Keynan Middleton (forearm strain): Will begin his rehab assignment with Class AA Springfield on Tuesday. 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 13
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): The lefty has made strides in his throwing program and is throwing live batting practice to against hitters at the Cardinals' Jupiter, Florida, player development complex. A rehab assignment could be on the horizon if his schedule mirrors a spring training-like cadence that goes from live batting practice outings and bullpens into game competition. Updated May 13
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