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Headline: Cardinals’ Win Streak Faces Luzardo Test in Phillies Doubleheader: How to Watch
Article:
The St. Louis cardinals, riding a red-hot nine-game winning streak, face a formidable challenge today as they head to Philadelphia for a doubleheader against the Phillies. The first game, starting at 12:05 p.m. St. Louis time, pits the Cards against Phillies’ ace Jesus Luzardo, arguably one of the best pitchers in baseball right now.Luzardo: A Tough Hurdle for the Cardinals’ Offense
Luzardo (3-0, 2.11 ERA) has been nothing short of dominant this season. Fangraphs ranks him as the second-best starting pitcher in the national League based on wins above Replacement (WAR). what makes him so tough? He’s only given up two home runs all year, a testament to his control and ability to keep the ball in the park. only a handful of starters in the entire league have been better at preventing the long ball.
The Phillies acquired the Peruvian pitcher in the offseason, and after a few injury-plagued and inconsistent seasons, he seems to have found his groove. A key addition to his arsenal is a devastating sweeper,a type of slider,that he unveiled this spring. Batters are hitting a paltry .179 against it, and they’re whiffing nearly half the time (47.3% whiff rate). The Cardinals’ hitters will need to be patient and disciplined to avoid falling victim to this new weapon.
Cardinals’ Pitching Matchups
Erick Fedde (3-3, 3.86 ERA) gets the nod for the Cardinals in the early game, coming off a stellar shutout performance against the Washington Nationals. He’ll need to bring that same level of focus and execution against a potent Phillies lineup.
In the second game, scheduled for 5:15 p.m. St. Louis time, veteran Sonny Gray (4-1, 3.50 ERA) will take the mound for St. Louis. Gray is coming off of a seven-inning, two-hit shutout against the Pirates. While Gray has shown flashes of brilliance,he’s also been prone to giving up runs in bunches,allowing three or more in half of his starts. Consistency will be key for Gray to secure a win in the nightcap.
The Phillies will counter with right-hander Aaron Nola (1-6, 4.89 ERA) in the second game. Nola’s record doesn’t reflect his talent, and the Cardinals can’t afford to take him lightly.
The Stakes
The Cardinals (23-19) are currently 1 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. A strong showing in this doubleheader could help them close the gap.
The Phillies (24-17) are looking to avoid their first series loss since late April.A sweep by the Cardinals would be a notable blow to their momentum.
how to Watch:
When: 12:05 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. (St. Louis times) Wednesday
Where: Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia
TV/Radio: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (live stream link: fanduelsportsnetwork.com/teams/mlb-cardinals); KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the Cardinals Radio Network (mlb.com/cardinals/schedule/radio-affiliates) and also MLB.tv (mlb.com/live-stream-games/).
Your Options to Watch: St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia phillies, Jesus Luzardo, MLB, Doubleheader, Baseball, How to Watch
The St. Louis Cardinals are riding high on a nine-game win streak, but their momentum faces a stern test today with a road doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies. We sat down with renowned baseball analyst, Dr. Eleanor Vance, to break down the key matchups, the challenges ahead for the Cardinals, and what fans can expect from this pivotal series.
Time.News: Dr. Vance, thanks for joining us. The Cardinals are on a hot streak. Is this Phillies doubleheader their biggest challenge yet during this run?
Dr. Eleanor Vance: absolutely. While the Cardinals have been playing incredibly well, this Phillies team, especially with Jesus Luzardo on the mound in game one, represents a meaningful step up in competition. Luzardo isn’t just good; he’s arguably one of the top pitchers in the National League right now. A key factor contributing to this is their acquisition of Luzardo.
Time.News: Speaking of Luzardo,the article highlights his dominance,particularly his new sweeper. How big a threat is that pitch to the Cardinals’ hitters?
Dr. Eleanor Vance: It’s a massive threat. the numbers speak for themselves: batters are hitting .179 against it with a near 50% whiff rate (47.3% to be exact). That indicates a pitch with extraordinary movement and deception. The Cardinals’ hitters will need to show exceptional discipline and patience at the plate. They can’t afford to chase that sweeper low and away. Plate discipline and pitch recognition will be key.
Time.News: Erick Fedde gets the start in game one for the Cardinals,coming off a shutout performance. Can he carry that momentum into this tougher matchup?
Dr. Eleanor Vance: Fedde’s shutout was remarkable, there’s no doubt whatsoever. Though, replicating that against the Phillies will be a tall order. The Phillies lineup is deep and powerful. Fedde needs to command his fastball and keep the ball down in the zone, avoiding the long ball. He’ll need to mix his pitches effectively and avoid falling into predictable patterns.
Time.News: Sonny Gray takes the mound in game two. The article mentions his inconsistency. How crucial will it be for him to deliver a solid outing?
Dr. Eleanor Vance: It’s vital. Consistency is key for triumphant starting pitching, and Gray’s tendency to give up runs in bunches is a concern. he needs to limit the damage when things get tough. Keeping runners close and minimizing free passes will be crucial. He can’t let one mistake snowball into a big inning.
Time.News: the phillies are countering with Aaron Nola in game two. His record (1-6) is deceiving, according to our report. Is he still a threat?
Dr. Eleanor Vance: absolutely. Nola is a seasoned veteran with a track record of success. His record doesn’t tell the whole story. He’s still a very talented pitcher. the Cardinals can’t afford to take him lightly just because of those numbers. they need to approach him with the same focus and intensity they’d bring to any top-tier starter.
Time.News: The Cardinals are trying to close the gap in the NL Central. What impact could a strong showing in this doubleheader have on their season?
Dr. Eleanor Vance: A sweep would be huge. It would not only give them a significant boost in the standings but also send a message to the rest of the division that they are a force to be reckoned with. Even splitting the series would be a positive outcome,considering the strength of the Phillies and the quality of their starting pitching. Right now, they sit only 1 1/2 games behind the Cubs.
Time.News: For fans tuning in, what should they be paying close attention to in these games?
Dr. Eleanor Vance: First, watch how the Cardinals’ hitters approach Luzardo and his sweeper in game one. The pitch recognition and plate discipline will be crucial. Secondly, can Fedde and Gray limit the Phillies’ potent offense? Thirdly, don’t underestimate Nola just because of his record.He could be looking to turn his season around. And watch the bullpen management. With two games in one day, the ability to effectively utilize relief pitchers will be crucial for both teams.
Time.News: Dr. Vance,thank you for your insights. Any final thoughts for Cardinals fans?
Dr. Eleanor Vance: Remember, baseball is a game of momentum. The Cardinals have it right now. They need to keep that momentum going. Even if they run into some tough times today, the key is to stay positive, trust in their skills, and continue to grind.
(For information on how to watch the Cardinals-Phillies doubleheader,see the details in the original article.)
