Series Preview: Milwaukee Brewers @ St. Louis Cardinals
The Milwaukee Brewers proceed their highway journey to start the week, as they’re going to go to the St. Louis Cardinals for 3 video games starting Monday night. The Brewers, who’ve taken two of three towards the D-backs and Nationals of their final two collection, at the moment are 18-15 on the season, sitting in fourth place within the deepest division in baseball. Just above them in these standings are the Cardinals, tied for second at 20-14. The Cardinals had their six-game win streak — together with a four-game sweep of the Pirates and two wins over the Dodgers — snapped on Sunday.
I already supplied a extra in-depth rundown of the Brewers’ injured listing earlier todayhowever for the faster model, learn on. The large information right here is that first baseman Andrew Vaughn ought to be again with the group for the primary time since Opening Day as he finishes his rehab project with Triple-A Nashville. Alongside Vaughn, outfielder Jackson Chourio was additionally anticipated to return Monday, however after he fouled a ball off his foot/ankle on Saturday night time, that return could also be barely delayed. Regardless, we must always see him quickly. Jacob Misiorowski is the opposite large identify to say, as he exited Friday night time’s win with cramps — he can be slated for the collection finale in St. Louis, however the Brewers nonetheless have that spot listed as TBD. More on that beneath. Rounding issues out: Angel Zerpa (prolonged absence as he weighs whether or not to endure Tommy John surgical procedure), Brice Turang (each day after he was scratched with an sickness on Sunday), Brandon Woodruff (proper arm irritation; ought to be again in a pair weeks), Quinn Priester (rehabbing from thoracic outlet syndrome), Christian Yelich (has begun working and hitting as he recovers from a groin pressure); Jared Koenig (on a throwing program); Rob Zastryzny (enjoying catch once more); Akil Baddoo (TBD, however no sooner than a June return). Oof.
The Cardinals have a a lot smaller injured listing, as they’re solely with out outfielder Lars Nootbaar and right-hander Matt Pushard. Nootbaar underwent surgical procedure on each heels and hasn’t appeared in a recreation this season. On the 60-day IL, he’s eligible to come back off the IL on May 24, with the group tentatively scheduling a rehab project to start round May 10. Pushard is presently with Triple-A Memphis as he works his method again from proper knee tendonitis that has saved him out because the finish of March.
The not-so-heavy-hitting Brewer offense is presently led by Brice Turang and William Contreras, each of whom are near batting .300 (.298 for Contreras, .291 for Turang). Tyler Black, who was recalled final week, has shined in six video games with the group, hitting .429 with 9 hits (4 doubles) and 7 RBIs over 21 at-bats. Jake Bauers and Gary Sánchez have supplied the little little bit of energy Milwaukee has had, though they’ve each been sitting with 5 homers for a few weeks. Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick, David Hamilton, Greg Jones, Brandon Lockridge, Joey Ortiz, Blake Perkins, and Luis Rengifo spherical out the offense, though two gamers should be optioned to make room for Vaughn and Chourio this week. As a group, the Brewers .239/.335/.354 (.689 OPS ranks twenty fourth), with 22 homers (twenty ninth), 172 runs (eighth), and 38 steals (first).
Jordan Walker obtained off to a scalding scorching begin and leads the Cards with 10 homers this season, including 27 RBIs, 27 runs, and 6 steals as he is hitting .307/.373/.591. Rookie JJ Wetherholt provides seven homers, whereas Alec Burleson, Nathan Church, and Nolan Gorman have 5 homers every. The Cardinals even have a stable combo of catchers in Iván Herrera and Pedro Pagés. Masyn Winn is the group’s beginning shortstop, although he is a defense-first participant, with Yohel Pozo, Ramón Urías, José Fermín, Thomas Saggese, and Victor Scott II rounding issues out. As a group, the Cardinals are hitting .241/.325/.403 (.728 OPS ranks ninth), with 44 homers (tied for fourth), 166 runs (ninth), and 26 steals (twelfth).
It looks as if we’ve not seen Grant Anderson and Aaron Ashby fairly as typically within the final couple of collection, however they nonetheless lead the Crew with 17 and 16 appearances, respectively. Abner Uribe, DL Hall, Shane Drohan, and Brian Fitzpatrick have additionally been stable not too long ago, and Trevor Megill has improved drastically after a ridiculously chilly begin. Jake Woodford has served as a long-relief arm in a number of of the Brewers’ blowout video games this 12 months, as he is a former starter/swingman for these Cardinals. As a employees, the Brewers have a 3.56 group ERA (fifth), together with a 3.47 starter ERA (fifth) and a 3.67 bullpen ERA (eighth). They’ve struck out 309 batters (seventh) over 293 1/3 innings.
Justin Bruihl leads the Cardinals’ bullpen with 18 appearances, although he has a 5.29 ERA. Closer Riley O’Brien has been stable, with a 2.20 ERA and 9 saves in 11 alternatives. JoJo Romero, George Soriano, and Gordon Graceffo have all been stable, whereas Ryne Stanek (7.71 ERA) and Matt Svanson (9.68 ERA) have struggled. Jared Shuster, who was chosen and DFA’d by the Cardinals earlier this season, rounds out the bullpen after as soon as once more being chosen on Friday. He’s made three appearances with a 3.18 ERA over 5 2/3 innings this season. As a employees, the Cardinals have a 4.54 group ERA (twenty third), together with a 4.27 starter ERA (seventeenth) and a 4.92 bullpen ERA (twenty sixth). They’ve struck out 236 batters (final) over 307 innings.
Monday, May 4 @ 6:45 pm: RHP Chad Patrick (2-1, 2.57 ERA, 4.33 FIP) vs. RHP Kyle Leahy (3-3, 5.52 ERA, 5.64 FIP)
Patrick continues to outpace his FIP, as his 2.57 ERA is almost two runs decrease than his 4.33 FIP via six appearances (4 begins) this season. The former fourth-round choose picked up his second win of the 12 months his final day out, permitting two runs on successful and 5 walks whereas hanging out 5 in a 13-2 win over the D-backs. He made three appearances (two begins) towards St. Louis final season, going 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA and 6 strikeouts over 9 2/3 innings.
Leahy, who served because the Cardinals’ set-up man for almost all of final season, has transitioned right into a starter this season. Through six begins, he is a fair 3-3, although he has a not-so-pretty 5.52 ERA and 5.64 FIP, hanging out 22 over 29 1/3 innings. He picked up the win his final time round towards Pittsburgh, permitting three runs on 9 hits and hanging out seven over 5 1/3 innings. He’s alternated wins and losses in every look this 12 months, although, which suggests he is due for a loss. In eight appearances (all reduction) towards Milwaukee, Leahy has a 3.65 ERA and 12 strikeouts over 12 1/3 innings.
Tuesday, May 5 @ 6:45 pm: RHP Brandon Sproat (0-2, 6.75 ERA, 6.38 FIP) vs. RHP Andre Pallante (3-2, 3.73 ERA, 4.68 FIP)
It has been a tough begin for Sproat in his first season in Milwaukee, as he has a 6.75 ERA and 6.38 FIP with 25 strikeouts over 26 2/3 innings. He made a pair of stable outings towards the Nationals and Blue Jays a number of weeks in the past, permitting simply two runs and hanging out 9 over 10 1/3 innings in these video games, however he is struggled his final two instances out towards the Tigers and D-backs. Against Arizona on Wednesday, he allowed 4 runs on six hits (two homers) and a pair of walks, hanging out 5 in a 6-2 loss. This marks his first profession look towards St. Louis.
Pallante, 27, is now in his fifth season with St. Louis and his third as a full-time starter. After a tough -1.1 bWAR season final 12 months, he is bounced again to start the 2026 season. Through six begins, he has a 3.73 ERA, 4.68 FIP, and 26 strikeouts over 31 1/3 innings. A former fourth-round choose, Pallante went six innings towards the Pirates his final flip via the rotation, permitting one run on 5 hits and hanging out six. A well-known opponent for Milwaukee, Pallante has made 15 appearances (three begins) towards the Brewers, with an 0-2 document, a 5.06 ERA, and 19 strikeouts over 32 innings.
Wednesday, May 6 @ 12:15 pm: TBD vs. LHP Matthew Liberatore (1-1, 4.50 ERA, 5.84 FIP)
As I famous above, the Brewers have not but introduced a starter for Wednesday’s collection finale, as this could be Misiorowski’s flip within the rotation. Miz exited Friday night time’s recreation towards the Nationals with cramping, nevertheless it appears extra seemingly than not that we’ll nonetheless see him on this one. If that’s the case, I’ll notice that Miz had his finest stuff in his final outing, hanging out eight and permitting no hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings within the win over Washington. He made three begins towards St. Louis final 12 months (together with his MLB debut), going 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA and 12 strikeouts over 13 2/3 innings.
Liberatore, 26, can be in his fifth season with the Cardinals. He made 29 begins with a 4.21 ERA a 12 months in the past, and he seems to be to be on observe for the same season in 2026. Through seven begins, he has a 4.50 ERA, 5.84 FIP, and 23 strikeouts over 36 innings. He picked up the win in Friday’s collection opener towards the Dodgers, going 5 2/3 innings with two runs allowed on 5 hits and a pair of walks, hanging out 4. Liberatore has made 11 appearances (4 begins) towards Milwaukee for his profession, with a 4-0 document, a 1.26 ERA, and 31 strikeouts over 28 2/3 innings.
Monday, May 4: Brewers TV and nationally on FS1; hear through radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Tuesday, May 5: Brewers TV; hear through radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Wednesday, May 6: Brewers TV; hear through radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
The Cardinals have gotten off to a stable begin because of a powerful offensive exhibiting throughout the lineup. I believe the Brewers’ pitching employees can maintain them, although, and the return of Vaughn (and perhaps Chourio) ought to be large for Milwaukee’s inconsistent offense. I’ll take the Crew to win two of three.
