Eyeing a split, the Cardinals wrap up a four-game home series Thursday afternoon against the Padres. First pitch is set for 1:15 p.m.
Ƶ won with a Nolan Arenado walk-off on Wednesday night, its first win in the series after dropping the first two.
Right-hander Sonny Gray (11-9, 4.07) will take the mound for the Cardinals. He's given up five or more innings in two of his last three starts.
Gray, who has lost his last three starts, has a 5.83 ERA since the start of July.
The Padres will counter with right-hander Michael King (11-7, 3.14), who's in his first year with the Padres after starting his career mostly as a reliever with the Yankees.
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Since the start of June, King has a 2.35 ERA and has given up more than two earned runs just twice in 14 starts during that time.
King's changeup ranks , and batters are hitting .195 against it.
The Cardinals are 66-67, third in the NL Central and 10 1/2 games out of first. Ƶ is seven games out of the final wild-card spot.
Ƶ is 10-15 in August. Only two NL teams have more August defeats.
The Padres are 76-59, third in the NL West and they hold the NL's second wild-card spot, a game behind wild-card leader and division leader Arizona. San Diego is 17-8 in August.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Masyn Winn, SS
2. Alec Burleson, LF
3. Nolan Arenado, 3B
4. Luken Baker, DH
5. Brendan Donovan, 2B
6. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
7. Lars Nootbaar, RF
8. Iván Herrera, C
9. Victor Scott II, CF
P: Sonny Gray, RHP
PADRES
1. Luis Arraez, 1B
2. Jurickson Profar, LF
3. Jake Cronenworth, 2B
4. Manny Machado, 3B
5. Donovan Solano, DH
6. Jackson Merrill, CF
7. David Peralta, RF
8. Kyle Higashioka, C
9. Tyler Wade, SS
P: Michael King, RHP
Injury report
Willson Contreras (fractured finger):ճcatcher fractured the middle finger on his right hand when struck by a pitch Saturday night. He will have three weeks of no impact then he can begin a progression. There's not much wiggle room for a possible return. The injury could end his season.Updated Aug. 27
Michael Siani (oblique strain):The outfielder progressed from front flips to coach-pitched batting practice to high-velocity machine work, and he faced Lynn in the live BP on Monday. Next, he'll start a rehab assignment with Springfield on Tuesday. He's expected to play five innings in center field, followed by seven innings the following game.Updated Aug. 27
Lance Lynn (knee strain):The right-hander threw a live BP session Monday at Busch Stadium and reported no ill effects while speaking with reporters after the session. He will go on a minor-league rehab assignment, and he's slated to pitch for Triple-A Memphis against the Chicago Cubs' affiliate on Sunday in Des Moines, Iowa. He's expected to throw up to 85 pitches in that outing.Updated Aug. 26
Steven Matz (lower back stiffness):The left-hander will make another rehab start for Memphis on Tuesday, but he'll be on a reduced pitch count compared to his previous outing. He'll throw approximately 65 pitches after he threw 85 in his previous start. The reduced pitch count is in order to allow for "flexibility" when it comes time to adding him back onto the roster, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said.Updated Aug. 26