Cardinals Face Key Series Against Brewers as Season Progresses

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The St. Louis Cardinals will host the Milwaukee Brewers for a crucial three-game series beginning Friday at 7:15 p.m. This matchup is significant as the Cardinals aim to close the gap in the National League Central standings, currently sitting 5.5 games behind the division leader.

The Brewers are predicted to be the second-best team in the division and will bring a challenge for the Cardinals, who experienced a disappointing 1-6 road trip against the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. St. Louis aims for improvement at home, having a record of 8-4 so far this season.

Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore, with a record of 1-2 and a 3.60 ERA, will take the mound for the home team, looking to prove his worth as a stable arm in the starting rotation. Liberatore has shown promise, ranking in the top 15 among MLB starters in wins above replacement this season.

The Brewers will counter with rookie right-hander Chad Patrick, who has a 1-1 record and a 2.11 ERA. Patrick’s presence adds to the intrigue of this matchup, particularly as Milwaukee struggles against left-handed pitching.

St. Louis made a roster change before the game, optioning right-hander Ryan Fernandez to Triple-A Memphis and recalling Riley O'Brien, after Fernandez posted an 11.42 ERA in recent outings.

Before the game, Cardinals fans will have the opportunity to watch the matchup live on both FanDuel Sports Midwest and local broadcast through Matrix Midwest (Channel 32). This game marks a continuation of the Cardinals’ recent push to improve viewer access through over-the-air television.

As the teams prepare to take the field, both sides are aiming to shift their trajectories with the season still in its early stages.