After losing Saturday and missing a chance to move above the .500 mark for the first time this season, the Cardinals wrap up a road series Sunday against the Cubs. First pitch is set for 12:05 p.m.
The game will air only on Roku with no traditional television broadcast. It's free to watch.
Right-hander Miles Mikolas (4-6, 4.85)Ìýwill take the mound for the Cardinals.
He's coming off his longest and best start of the year (seven innings, no earned runs) in a no-decision vs. Pittsburgh.
Mikolas has a 3.00 ERA over his last six starts, with one of those coming against the Cubs. He permitted three earned runs in six innings vs. the North Siders on May 25 at Busch.
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Mikolas sports a career 2.69 ERA vs. Chicago, his best vs. any opponent he has started against more than seven times.
The Cubs will counter with right-hander Jameson Taillon (3-2, 3.09).
Taillon gave up three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings vs. the Cardinals as the starter opposite Mikolas in that May 25 game.
In 10 starts this year, he's given up more than three runs just once.
The Cardinals are 34-35 and 6-4 in their last 10. Second in the NL Central, they're 6 1/2 games behind division-leading Milwaukee amid a cluster containing the other four teams in the division.
The Cubs are 34-37 and a game behind the Cardinals.
Both teams have struggled to hit in June, with the Cubs (.669 OPS, 22nd) ranking one spot ahead of the Cardinals (.653 OPS, 23rd).
Both are in the top half of MLB in ERA in June, with the Cardinals (3.29, seventh) four spots ahead of Chicago (3.51, 11th).
Prior to the game, the Cardinals announced a roster move. They've recalled right-handed reliever Ryan Loutos from Triple-A Memphis, and they placed starting pitcher Kyle Gibson on the bereavement list.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1.ÌýMasyn Winn, DH
2.ÌýAlec Burleson, RF
3.ÌýPaul Goldschmidt,1B
4.ÌýNolan Gorman, 2B
5.ÌýNolan Arenado, 3B
6.ÌýBrendan Donovan, LF
7.ÌýBrandon Crawford, SS
8.ÌýPedro Pagés, C
9.ÌýMichael Siani, CF
P: Miles Mikolas, RHP
CUBS
1.ÌýMike Tauchman, RF
2.ÌýChristopher Morel, 3B
3.ÌýCody Bellinger, CF
4.ÌýSeiya Suzuki, DH
5.ÌýIan Happ, LF
6.ÌýNico Hoerner, 2B
7.ÌýMichael Busch, 1B
8.ÌýDansby Swanson, SS
9.ÌýMiguel Amaya, C
P: Jameson Taillon, RHP
Injury report
Willson Contreras (fractured arm):ÌýThe catcher has been taking batting practice since Thursday. He has also caught multiple bullpen sessions without soreness. Contreras remained in ºüÀêÊÓƵ to work at the ballpark while the team began its road trip with three consecutive day games in Chicago. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said prior to Sunday's game that the plan was for Contreras to begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday, June 18. It's not yet known which affiliate he'd join or how long his assignment will extend.ÌýÌýUpdated June 16
Tommy Edman (wrist surgery):ÌýEdman is due to shift his rehab to the club's spring training complex in Jupiter, Florida, this coming week. The switch-hitter has been taking batting practice from both sides of the plate, and he participated batting practice on the field with teammates for the first time last week. John Mozeliak, the team's president of baseball operations, told attendees of the Cardinals' annual "Blogger Day" that Edman is expected to return before the end of this month.ÌýUpdated June 16
Riley O'Brien (flexor tendon):ÌýThe right-hander had originally been set to begin aÌýrehab assignment on Saturday with Double-A Springfield. However, Marmol said on Sunday that O'Brien's outing was pushed back in order to give time for more recovery. O'Brien is now slated to pitch for Springfield on Tuesday, June 18.ÌýHe's scheduled to pitch one inning.ÌýUpdated June 16
Giovanny Gallegos (right shoulder impingement):ÌýRight-handed reliever threw an inning Friday for Class AA Springfield, giving up three runs on three hits, only one of which left the infield. Gallegos responded well to throwing more than an inning, and with the Cardinals' input opted not to throw back-to-back days before returning the majors.ÌýÌýAccording to the Cardinals' internal numbers, Gallegos velocity was back to his pre-injury level.ÌýUpdated June 15
Lars Nootbaar (oblique strain):ÌýOutfielder has started torso movements and could be cleared to swing a bat by this weekend, while the team is at Wrigley Field. He has responded well to increased movements of his core muscles and tests of the area injured. Manager Oliver 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.ÌýUpdated June 13Ìý
Steven Matz (lower back stiffness):ÌýThe lefty will start Sunday for Class AA Springfield and aim for around 50 pitches. This is a significant moment in his rehab. Depending on how he recovers from this start, he'll either repeat that target number or advance deeper into the game where effectiveness also becomes part of the factor determining his return date.ÌýUpdated June 13
Keynan Middleton (forearm strain):ÌýAn update on Middleton's season-ending surgery is available here. He came out of surgery Tuesday, according to manager Oli Marmol.ÌýUpdated June 11
Nick Robertson (elbow inflammation):ÌýRobertson will travel to Springfield, Mo., to throw a live batting practice session for hitters there on Friday. If he recovers from that well, he could begin a rehab assignment imminently, even as early as Tuesday, if not before. He experienced a “little tightness†in his elbow during a throwing session in late May.ÌýUpdated June 13