Cards Vie to ‘Finish Strong’ vs. Cubs in Series Finale

After a high-scoring stretch where they racked up 36 runs over six games, the St. Louis Cardinals hit a bump with a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Friday. However, they bounced back spectacularly on Saturday, scoring 16 runs on 24 hits and sweeping a doubleheader. The Cardinals are hoping to carry this momentum into the finale of their four-game set against the Cubs on Sunday, their last game before the All-Star break.

Recent Performances and Offensive Surge

The Cardinals’ offense came alive on Saturday, starting with a massive nine-run first inning in Game 1, leading to an 11-3 victory. “The reset was good,” said St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol. “(Friday) was tough offensively, but we came out strong, capitalized on mistakes, and had a solid approach.”

In Game 2, Masyn Winn and Willson Contreras each hit a solo homer in the first inning, while Nolan Arenado’s clutch two-run single in the eighth secured a 5-4 win. Marmol stressed the importance of finishing strong, saying, “We want to finish strong and (Sunday) is a big day.”

Pitching Matchup: Mikolas vs. Taillon

The Cardinals will start Miles Mikolas (7-7, 4.88 ERA), who has recently adjusted his pitching technique by lowering his arm angle. This tweak has paid off, as he’s allowed just two runs on 11 hits over 12 1/3 innings in his last two starts. Mikolas earned a 2-1 victory over the Cubs on June 16, giving up only one run on four hits in 6 1/3 innings. He holds a solid record against Chicago, going 6-4 with a 2.62 ERA in 22 career appearances, including 19 starts.

The Cubs will counter with right-hander Jameson Taillon (6-4, 2.99 ERA), who has been in good form this month with a 2.77 ERA in his last two starts. Taillon has faced the Cardinals twice this season, allowing three runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings on May 25 and two runs on seven hits in six innings on June 16. The veteran pitcher is 5-2 with a 3.36 ERA in 14 career starts against St. Louis.

Injury Updates and Lineup Changes

The Cubs made some bullpen changes on Saturday after placing Luke Little on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder strain. “We’ll learn more over the All-Star break,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “But, you know, it’s a shoulder injury, and that’s obviously concerning for a pitcher.” Reliever Ethan Roberts was called up from Triple-A Iowa early on Saturday and pitched in the first game of the doubleheader before returning to Iowa. Daniel Palencia took his spot for the nightcap.

For the Cardinals, center fielder Michael Siani left the first game on Saturday with an elbow contusion after being hit by a pitch. He didn’t play in the second game and is questionable for Sunday’s contest.

Conclusion

The Cardinals are determined to finish strong against the Cubs in the series finale before the All-Star break. With Miles Mikolas and Jameson Taillon set to pitch, fans can expect an exciting matchup. Both teams are making strategic changes to their lineups and bullpens, adding to the intrigue of this crucial game.