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At Reds, Cardinals Seek Fifth Straight Series Win
The St. Louis Cardinals aim to clinch their fifth consecutive series win as they wrap up a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. A pivotal moment came from star player Nolan Arenado, who broke a 12-game homer drought with a two-run blast in the fourth inning, leading the Cardinals to a decisive 7-1 victory on Tuesday night.
Nolan Arenado’s Return to Form
Nolan Arenado’s powerful home run on Tuesday was a significant boost for the Cardinals. This marked Arenado’s first homer in 12 games and his fourth of the season, pushing the Cardinals to a 3-0 lead. This performance hints at a resurgence for Arenado, a crucial factor as the Cardinals look to sustain their winning streak.
Manager Oliver Marmol made a strategic adjustment by moving Arenado to the No. 5 spot in the batting order for the first time in his four-year stint with the Cardinals. This was also Arenado’s first appearance in the fifth spot since 2015, during his time with the Colorado Rockies. Despite going 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Monday’s 3-1 loss to the Reds, Arenado bounced back with his critical two-run homer on Tuesday.
Manager Oliver Marmol on Arenado’s Efforts
“Nolan has been working hard, man,” said Marmol. “That’s an understatement. He’s been getting after it — and sometimes it takes a while. He’s talked about it. It was good to see him do that (Tuesday).”
Marmol’s comments underscore Arenado’s dedication and the rigorous effort behind his recent success, which is now beginning to manifest in the game.
Pitching Strategy for the Series Finale
For the series finale, the Cardinals will send reliever Andre Pallante to the mound as an opener. Pallante (0-1, 6.30 ERA) will make his 11th career start and his first since July 31, 2022. Despite allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 14 hits over 10 innings in nine relief appearances this season, Pallante has a strong track record against the Reds, boasting a 3-0 record with a 1.96 ERA in 12 career appearances (two starts).
Cincinnati’s Pitching Counter
The Reds will counter with right-hander Frankie Montas (2-3, 4.61 ERA). Montas, making his 10th start of the year, allowed four runs on nine hits over six innings in his latest outing against the San Diego Padres. He has been in a winless streak for his last seven starts, dating back to April 9. Montas will seek to break this streak in only his second career start against the Cardinals. His previous encounter with St. Louis was challenging, as he allowed six runs on five hits over three innings, leading to a 12-9 loss.
Injury Updates and Player Performance
The Reds might see the return of TJ Friedl, who has been recovering from a fractured left thumb sustained on May 12. Friedl has been actively testing his readiness with live batting practice and field drills. Will Benson has stepped in for Friedl in center field, and he provided a highlight in Tuesday’s game with a solo homer in the sixth inning off Cardinals right-hander Kyle Gibson. Benson’s homer was the Reds’ only offense and their first hit of the game.
Reds Manager David Bell’s Perspective
Reds manager David Bell acknowledged the tough competition but remained optimistic. “We feel like we can compete with anybody out there. But at the same time, it was some tough at-bats,” Bell said. “The good news is it’s not going to be that tough every game.”
Conclusion
As the Cardinals aim for their fifth consecutive series win, the combination of strategic batting order changes, resilient pitching efforts, and key player performances will be crucial. The upcoming game will test both teams’ adjustments and resilience, making for an exciting series finale.
