With another chance to finally break through to the winning side of .500, the Cardinals begin a road series Monday against the Marlins. First pitch is set for 5:40 p.m.
Not counting their first 10 games, when the Redbirds were 5-4 after a win vs. these same Marlins, ºüÀêÊÓƵ hasn't had a winning record since the end of the 2022 season.
This year, they've been 6-6, 7-7, 9-9, 27-27, 34-34 and now they're 35-35. They've lost the subsequent game every previous time.
Right-hander Sonny Gray (8-4, 3.01) will take the mound for the Cardinals. He's coming off one of his best starts of the year, seven innings and one earned run vs. Pittsburgh last week.
Gray had been struggling for most of May, giving up a 48% hard-hit rate from May 9 to present, up from 30% leading to that point.
Even in that successful outing vs. Pittsburgh last week, Gray allowed hard-hit balls at a 63% rate, negating damage with nine strikeouts.
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For the season, Gray's 33% strikeout rate is a career best and up from 24.3% last season.
The Marlins will send out 26-year-old left-hander Braxton Garrett (2-2, 6.10). He gave up three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings vs. ºüÀêÊÓƵ last season.
Garrett's hard-hit rate is among MLB's worst while his 2.9% walk rate is among the best.
He's given up 13 earned runs over his last two starts. Monday's game is his seventh of his season, the start of which was delayed by a shoulder impingement.
The Redbirds' .613 OPS vs. lefties is 29th in baseball with only the Marlins ranking worse. Despite the poor numbers, ºüÀêÊÓƵ has won 11 of 20 vs. left-handed starters this year.
The Cardinals are 35-35, second in the NL Central and 6 1/2 games behind division-leading Milwaukee. The Cardinals sit in the second wild card spot with eight National League trailing by two or fewer games.
The Cardinals are coming off winning two of three at the Cubs while scoring six total runs in the series. They've won two straight series.
Since May 31, ºüÀêÊÓƵ is averaging 3.5 runs per game. Only three teams are worse, and the Marlins are one of them.
The Marlins are 23-48, last in the NL East. Only the White Sox have a worse winning percentage. The Marlins have won two of their last 13 games.
Miami is scoring 2.4 runs per game since May 31, more than 1/2 run less then the next-worst team.
Only Jazz Chisholm (.762) has an OPS significantly above the MLB average of .701.
After their starting rotation was decimated by injuries early, they began the selling process more than a month ago when they dealt second baseman Luis Arraez, their leading hitter a year ago, to San Diego.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Masyn Winn, SS
2. José FermÃn, 2B
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Iván Herrera, DH
6. Brendan Donovan, LF
7. Dylan Carlson, RF
8. Pedro Pagés, C
9. Michael Siani, CF
P: Sonny Gray, RHP
MARLINS
1. Jazz Chisholm Jr., CF
2. Bryan De La Cruz, DH
3. Josh Bell, 1B
4. Jesús Sánchez, RF
5. Jake Burger, 3B
6. Nick Gordon, LF
7. Tim Anderson, SS
8. Otto Lopez, 2B
9. Nick Fortes, C
P: Braxton Garrett, LHP
Injury report
Willson Contreras (fractured arm):ÌýThe catcher has been taking batting practice since Thursday. He has also caught multiple bullpen sessions without soreness. 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.ÌýUpdated 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 is slated to pitch for ÌýDouble-A 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.ÌýAccording 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. He has responded well to increased movements of his core muscles and tests of the area injured.ÌýUpdated June 13Ìý
Steven Matz (lower back stiffness):ÌýThe lefty started Sunday for Class AA Springfield and threw three innings, with five strikeouts.ÌýUpdated June 17
Nick Robertson (elbow inflammation):ÌýRobertson traveled to Springfield, Missouri, to throw a live batting practice session on Friday. He could begin a rehab assignment imminently, even as early as Tuesday, if not before.ÌýUpdated June 13