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Cardinals Aim to Shore Up Defense in Finale vs. Rockies
The St. Louis Cardinals are gearing up for a crucial series finale against the Colorado Rockies, desperately needing a win to break their recent slump. The Cardinals have been plagued by defensive errors, losing six of their last nine games because of these mistakes. The Rockies have capitalized, taking two of the first three games. Sunday’s game is a must-win for the Cardinals to clean up their defense and get their pitching back on track.
Cardinals’ Defensive Struggles
Recent Fielding Errors
The Cardinals’ defense has been a mess lately, costing them games. In their 6-5 loss to the Rockies on Saturday, key mistakes included:
- Nolan Gorman: Threw a ball away.
- Ivan Herrera: Made a throwing error.
- Dylan Carlson: Misplayed an Elehuris Montero fly ball, turning it into a double.
Manager Oliver Marmol acknowledged the team’s defensive struggles, despite good preparation: “We’re just in a little bit of a rut with a lot of mistakes being made on the field.”
Catching Issues
Catcher Ivan Herrera has struggled to control the running game, allowing seven stolen bases over the last three games. Marmol noted Herrera’s effort to improve: “He’s deficient in being able to throw, OK? He’s working on it … it’s not something that’s coming easy to him.”
Pitching Uncertainties
Rotation Void
With Steven Matz recovering from a back injury, the Cardinals are scrambling to fill their rotation. Marmol hasn’t yet decided on Sunday’s starter, highlighting the pitching instability.
Recent Pitching Performances
- Matthew Liberatore: Struggled with an 8.10 ERA in three starts before being moved back to the bullpen.
- Andre Pallante: Has had mixed results, with a 1-2 record and a 6.16 ERA. His most recent start was rough, allowing six runs on six hits and three walks in an 8-5 loss to the Houston Astros.
Pallante is working on his pitch placement to improve effectiveness against right-handed batters: “What’s new is throwing that two-seam fastball up and in… making that alteration is a bit tough.”
Rockies’ Strengths and Strategy
Recent Success
The Rockies have capitalized on the Cardinals’ defensive errors, winning two games in the series. They’re looking to clinch the series with another win on Sunday.
Key Players
- Ty Blach: The left-hander will start for the Rockies, holding a 2-3 record with a 4.54 ERA. Although his last outing was shaky, he had two strong starts before that, allowing only four runs over 13 2/3 innings.
- Brendan Rodgers: Likely to sit out Sunday’s game due to a strained left hamstring but hopes to avoid the injured list.
Blach acknowledges the variability in results as a contact pitcher: “Sometimes the ball gets hit at guys and sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes plays get made and sometimes they don’t.”
Key Takeaways:
- Cardinals’ defensive errors: Recent fielding mistakes have significantly contributed to their losses.
- Pitching instability: The Cardinals are struggling to find a reliable rotation amidst injuries.
- Rockies’ advantage: Colorado has taken full advantage of the Cardinals’ defensive lapses and aims to continue this trend in the finale.
Conclusion
The series finale between the Cardinals and Rockies is crucial for both teams. The Cardinals need to address their defensive issues and stabilize their pitching to secure a win. Meanwhile, the Rockies will aim to capitalize on the Cardinals’ vulnerabilities and clinch the series. The performances of pitchers Andre Pallante and Ty Blach will be pivotal in determining the outcome.
