Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals Picks and Predictions July 22nd 2024

Paul Goldschmidt hopes to get bat going as Cards face Pirates

Paul Goldschmidt, a key player for the St. Louis Cardinals, has been struggling with his performance at the plate. As the team prepares to face the Pittsburgh Pirates, Goldschmidt hopes a change in the batting order will help him regain his form.

Goldschmidt’s Performance Decline

Goldschmidt, a seven-time All-Star, has seen a significant drop in his production this season. His batting average has fallen to .225, with 14 homers and 38 RBIs over 95 games. Recently, he was moved to the No. 7 spot in the batting order after a particularly tough doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves, where he went 0-for-8 with four strikeouts.

Response to Demotion

Despite the demotion, Goldschmidt remains focused on improving. He has publicly acknowledged his struggles and expressed a strong desire to contribute more effectively to the team. “Obviously, I haven’t played well this year and I’m trying to do everything I can to play better,” Goldschmidt said. “No one hates it more than me.”

Manager’s Perspective

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol is optimistic that the lineup change will benefit Goldschmidt. He believes that playing with less pressure might help the veteran slugger regain his form. “The looser he plays, the better he gets,” Marmol stated. “Seeing him homer (Sunday) was obviously fun. Hopefully he can build off of that.”

Team Dynamics and Recent Performance

The Cardinals have been showing signs of life, with multiple players stepping up. In a recent game, Alec Burleson, Willson Contreras, and Lars Nootbaar each hit home runs, contributing to a 6-2 victory over the Braves. Burleson, in particular, has been impressive this month, boasting six homers and a .358 batting average in July.

Upcoming Match Against the Pirates

The Cardinals are set to face the Pittsburgh Pirates, who recently had a six-game winning streak snapped by the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite the recent loss, the Pirates have been competitive, even against top teams.

Pitching Matchup

For the Cardinals, right-hander Andre Pallante will start. Pallante has had a mixed season but performed well against the Pirates earlier this month, allowing just one run over seven innings. On the other hand, the Pirates will start Mitch Keller, who has struggled against the Cardinals this season, giving up nine earned runs in 11 innings.

Conclusion

As the Cardinals prepare to face the Pirates, all eyes will be on Paul Goldschmidt. The veteran slugger’s performance could be crucial in determining the outcome of the series. Both Goldschmidt and his team are hopeful that a change in the lineup will help him get back on track and contribute to a strong finish for the Cardinals.

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