Friday Night Preview:
The St. Louis Cardinals in their last series split two games against the Cleveland Indians, coming from behind in game one while getting thumped in the finale on Wednesday. Cardinals starter Kwang Hyun Kim wasn’t himself as he’d serve up four home runs in just 2.2 innings. “It’s always the battle of pitcher and hitter,” Kim said through interpreter Craig Choi.
“As a pitcher, I have to keep the hitter off-balance. Today, I wasn’t successful with that. Just a bad performance by me. Next time, I have to be in a better condition to give the team a chance to win,” said KK on Wednesday.
The Cardinals were on their way home to Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO to take on the Minnesota Twins for a three game weekend series starting on Friday. Friday would also mark the MLB trade deadline. At this time, St. Louis has yet to make any significant acquisitions. Hopefully this will change as the Cards are in pursuit of a late postseason push.
Pitching Matchup:
Wade LeBlanc would be on the bump for game one. LeBlanc has been a pleasant surprise since being claimed off waivers on June 18th. The 36 year-old lefthander took a no-decision in his last outing against the Reds, going four innings allowing three runs off eight hits with one walk and five strikeouts. LeBlanc wasn’t particularly sharp against Cincinnati, so he’d be determined to bounce back.
For Minnesota, scheduled starter Jose Berrios would be scratched amidst trade rumors. Berrios would indeed be dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for No. 2 prospect Austin Martin and No. 4 prospect Simeon Woods Richardson. The deal is a win-win for both sides.
The Jays are adding a reliable, frontline starter who can compliment Hyun Jin Ryu and Robbie Ray. The return on the Twins end has major upside. Martin was drafted 5th overall in the 2020 draft and Richardson is a highly regarded pitching prospect who came over in the Marcus Stroman deal a couple seasons ago.
In place of Berrios, Griffin Jax will get the start for Minnesota in game one. Jax is getting his first taste of major league action this year, pitching in just six games for the Twins, posting a 7.48 ERA in 21.2 innings.
Game One Recap:
St. Louis behind a nice start from LeBlanc and clutch hitting by Tommy Edman and Nolan Arenado were able to capture a 5-1 victory over the Twins. In total, Wade LeBlanc went 5.2 innings, allowing only one run off six hits with a couple walks and three strikeouts. For Minnesota, Griffin Jax was also impressive, working five innings allowing one run as well with a couple punch outs.
The key moment in the game came during the bottom of the sixth. After a run scoring single in the second by Andrelton Simmons and a sac-fly which tied the game at 1-1 by Harrison Bader in the fourth, the Cardinals were hoping to bust open the flood gates. Edman’s bases clearing three-run double just inside the right field line would be the deciding knock. An insurance run provided by Arenado helped out as well.
Another bright spot from Friday night was the Cards bullpen. Ryan Helsley pitched just over an inning of scoreless ball and Giovanny Gallegos and Alex Reyes followed suit with shutout appearances of their own. In addition, Paul Goldschmidt collected his 1,500 career hit.
Overall, game one’s victory over the Twins was a great team win and perhaps a turning point as the calendar turns over to August.
Game Two Preview:
Game two of three between the Twins and Cardinals will come your way Saturday with first pitch @ 6:15 PM CT. Jake Woodford will be on the mound for St. Louis. Woodford will look to improve upon his last outing after going five innings and allowing three runs in a loss against the Reds. Bailer Ober will be the starter for Minnesota. Ober took a no-decision his last time out vs. the Angels.
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