Cardinals Hope Offense Stays Hot vs. Rockies
The St. Louis Cardinals have been searching for more offense. Dylan Carlson has been searching for his lost swing.
Introduction
The St. Louis Cardinals are keen on maintaining their offensive momentum as they continue their series against the Colorado Rockies. In their recent game, Dylan Carlson made significant strides in his performance, contributing to the Cardinals’ victory. Let’s examine the Cardinals’ efforts to bolster their offense, Carlson’s return to form, and the upcoming pitching matchups.
Cardinals’ Offensive Breakthrough
Dylan Carlson’s Performance
In the Cardinals’ 8-5 victory over the Rockies on Friday, Dylan Carlson had a significant impact. He hit a RBI single and a two-run twofold, denoting a huge move toward recovering his structure.
Manager’s Perspective
“It’s really good to see,” said St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol. “He needed that, we needed that. Hopefully, that’s a step that allows him to continue playing with more confidence.”
Carlson’s Journey Back
Injury and Recovery
Carlson, 25, has faced challenges since a shoulder injury during spring training. The collision with teammate Jordan Walker in the outfield sidelined him, and he struggled to find his rhythm upon returning from the injured list in early May.
Early Season Struggles
Bringing a .128 batting average into Friday’s game, Carlson had been used sparingly against left-handed pitchers and as a defensive replacement. His efforts finally paid off with his first three RBIs of the season.
Manager’s Insights
Marmol noted, “He popped in (Friday) and we talked for a little bit. He’s continuing to work and we’re hoping that carries into the game sooner than later.”
Upcoming Matchups
Kyle Gibson on the Mound
For Saturday’s matchup, the Cardinals will rely on Kyle Gibson (4-2, 3.69 ERA). Regardless of having only one quality beginning in his last five excursions, Gibson has a strong history against the Rockies, with a 2-0 record and a 3.50 Period in three vocation begins.
Ryan Feltner’s Challenge
Ryan Feltner, who has struggled in recent starts, will provide the Rockies’ counterpunch. He is 1-5 with a 6.22 earned run average. In his last two appearances, Feltner has given up 18 hits and 15 runs, 13 of which have been earned. Feltner likes to pitch aggressively with his fastball despite his struggles, but he needs to improve his consistency.
Rockies’ Offensive Highlights
Michael Toglia’s Impact
Michael Toglia has provided an offensive boost for the Rockies, going 3-for-7 with a triple and four RBIs since being recalled from the minors.
Brendan Rodgers’ Injury
The Rockies faced a setback on Friday when second baseman Brendan Rodgers exited the game with soreness after running out a ground ball. This adds to the Rockies’ injury woes, with slugger Kris Bryant (rib) and outfielder Sean Bouchard (ankle) already on the injured list.
Manager’s Strategy
Bud Black’s Analysis
Rockies manager Bud Black commented on Feltner’s pitching, emphasizing the need for better execution. “What you saw (Monday) was he was not down enough or not up enough,” Black said. “He just didn’t execute enough pitches when he really needed to.”
Feltner’s Approach
Feltner’s aggressive fastball approach requires precise placement. In his last outing against the Reds, he allowed a critical two-run triple on an 0-2 count, highlighting the importance of hitting his spots.
Conclusion
The St. Louis Cardinals are hoping that Dylan Carlson’s resurgence will be a turning point for their offense as they continue their series against the Colorado Rockies. With Kyle Gibson on the hill and a superior exhibition from Carlson, the Cardinals are ready to broaden their new achievement. Meanwhile, the Rockies will look to Ryan Feltner and their young talent to stay competitive despite recent injuries.