Cardinals Seek Series Win Against Phillies with New Pitching Strategy

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The St. Louis Cardinals aim for their first series win in two weeks as they face the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday at 1:15 p.m. in the final game of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals look to capitalize on their offensive strategy against Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, who has faced challenges early in the season.

Wheeler, boasting a record of 1-0 with a 3.44 ERA, is considered one of the top pitchers in Major League Baseball. He leads all starting pitchers in wins above replacement since 2021, with a total of 56 wins. Despite this, his latest performance saw him allow five earned runs against the Atlanta Braves, marking his worst outing since July.

The Cardinals’ batting stats against pulled fly balls support their offensive approach; they currently rank fourth in the league with a .465 average on such plays and lead MLB with 20 hits, 18 of which were extra-base hits. They will look to exploit Wheeler’s current vulnerability, including a career-low 20% rate of allowed pulled fly balls and an opponent batting average of .800 against those balls.

On the mound for the Cardinals will be left-hander Matthew Liberatore, who has struggled with his slider, allowing more hits and harder contact this season. Liberatore has a 0-1 record with a 5.84 ERA and has decreased his slider usage from 27.5% to 21.2% compared to last year. His ability to adjust could be crucial against a strong Phillies lineup.

The Phillies evened the series with a 4-1 victory on Saturday, improving to 9-5. The Cardinals, at 6-8, face pressure to turn around their season after a rocky start. Manager Oliver Marmol emphasized the need for the team to find rhythm, noting their potential to capitalize on the opposition’s mistakes.

The Cardinals’ lineup for Sunday features Lars Nootbaar in left field, Alec Burleson as the designated hitter, and Nolan Arenado at third base, among others. Meanwhile, the Phillies counter with Trea Turner at shortstop and Bryce Harper at first base.

Mason Winn was placed on the 10-day injured list due to lower back spasms, while catcher Ivan Herrera is recovering from knee inflammation. Left-hander Zack Thompson is also on the injured list, beginning a throwing program after a lat strain.

As the Cardinals focus on their gameplay strategy, their ability to adapt to the challenges presented by Wheeler and the Phillies could significantly impact their quest for a series win.