ST. LOUIS CARDINALS NOTES:
RECENT REDBIRDS: The St. Louis Cardinals continue their seven-game road trip with the opener of a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight at Chase Field … The Cardinals recently dropped three of four to the division-rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field this weekend.
FLIGHT PATTERN: The Cardinals have lost three in a row after winning six straight … St. Louis enters today in 4th place in the NL Central, 11.0 games behind 1st place Milwaukee … The Cardinals have climbed out of the divisional basement for the first time since May 28 when they were last all alone in 5th place … St. Louis has spent 80 of 113 days in last place on this season’s MLB schedule (April 26-May 19 & May 29-July 7).
100: This season is the Cardinals slowest start since 1995 when they were 40-60 (.400) after 100 games … With 62 games remaining, the Cardinals need to go 37-25 (+12) the rest of the season in order to finish at .500.
IT’S WHACKING DAY: Since Arizona joined MLB as an expansion team in 1998, the Cardinals .615 win percentage (104-65) against the Diamondbacks is the their best against any opponent and the highest in MLB among National League and common interleague opponents … RAZING ARIZONA: St. Louis is 50-34 (.595) all-time at Chase Field since 1998, the best win pct. by any annual visitor and the club’s 3rd-best winning pct. in any road city behind Kansas City (.667, 44-22 since 1997) and Miami (.630, 68-40 since 1993).
ROSTER UPDATE: Prior to tonight’s series finale, the Cardinals announced that they activated RHP Adam Wainwright from the 15-Day Injured List, selected the contract of LHP Andrew Suárez from Memphis (AAA), optioned LHP Zack Thompson and C Iván Herrera to Memphis, and transferred RHP Ryan Helsley to the 60-Day Injured List … Wainwright, who missed the previous 15 games due to a right shoulder strain, is scheduled to throw approximately 65 pitches in tonight’s start.
UNCLE CHARLIE: Tonight’s start is Adam Wainwright’s 402nd of his career, which passes Bob Forsch (401) for sole possession of 2nd all-time among Cardinals pitchers behind only Bob Gibson (482) … Wainwright is two wins from reaching 200 for his career.
STORMIN’ GORMAN: Nolan Gorman hit his 20th homer of the season Saturday, a 445-ft blast that was the 2nd-longest hit at Wrigley Field this season (Jarred Kelenic-482) and 5th-longest by a Cardinal at Wrigley in the Statcast Era (2015-23) … Gorman is averaging a team-leading 407 feet on his home runs this season, with 15 of 20 deep dishes traveling 440+ feet, 12th-most in MLB (Shohei Ohtani leads with 31) … The 23-year-old Phoenix native ranks among NL leaders in AB/RBI (4.92, 5th), AB/HR (15.25, 9th), home runs (20, T-13th), and RBI (62, T-10th).
THE LATE SHOW: The Cardinals are just 2-8 in the Pacific Time Zone in 2023 entering tonight’s game, including an 0-7 skid in night games. 20/20: The Cardinals (Nolan Arenado & Nolan Gorman) are one of five MLB teams this season with multiple players with 20+ home runs: Braves (4): Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, Austin Riley; Dodgers (4): Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, J.D. Martinez, & Max Muncy; White Sox (2): Jake Burger & Luis Robert Jr.; and Diamondbacks (2): Corbin Carroll & Christian Walker.
MAS*H: 2B/3B Nolan Gorman (back) was inactive for yesterday’s game … INF/OF Brendan Donovan (persistent right elbow flexor strain) has avoided the Injured List, but cannot throw and been relegated to appearing at designated hitter only … OF Lars Nootbaar exited yesterday’s game early due to right heel soreness … INF/OF Tommy Edman (right wrist inflammation) recently began his hitting program this weekend in Chicago … C Willson Contreras exited Saturday’s game early with right hip tightness.
MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING IN THAT TEA?: Willson Contreras has been on a tear since his final game in London in which he went 4-for-4 … Since June 25, Contreras leads MLB in on-base percentage (.540) and BABIP (.571) while rankig 2nd in batting average (.434, 23-53) and OPS (1.285), and 3rd in slugging pct. (.755).
TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: RHP ADAM WAINWRIGHT (3-4, 7.66)
TONIGHT’S GAME
- Makes his 12th start of the season & 469th career appearance (402nd career start).
- Returning to action for the first time since July 4. Had been on the 10-day I.L. with right shoulder strain since July 5, missing 14 games.
- Tonight’s start is Wainwright’s 402nd career, passing Bob Forsch (401) for sole possession of 2nd all-time among Cardinals pitchers behind only Bob Gibson (482).
- Wainwright is one of 13 pitchers (two Cardinals) in MLB history to make 400 or more career starts exclusively with one organization. Clayton Kershaw (414) joins Wainwright as the two active. Bob Gibson ranks 6th, while Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators leads at 666.
- Is two wins shy of 200 career and 12 wins from 210 (T-2nd all-time Cardinals history with Jesse Haines).
- Is making his first appearance at Chase Field since 2021. He’s won 4-straight decisions at Chase Field and 5 of his last 6 here with last loss coming on Opening Day, 2013.
- At age 41, Waino is one of three active players age 40+ with Rich Hill (43) and Miguel Cabrera (40). Adam turns age 42 on August 30.
- Pitched 5.0+ innings in his first eight starts of the season, while departing with the lead in five outings.
- Missed the first 33 games of the season due to a groin injury he suffered while working out during the WBC Finals. Made two injury rehab starts for Springfield (AA) and one for Memphis (AAA).
BUSCH STADIUM III (2006-present)
- Needs one Home win to pass Jesse Haines (107) for 2nd all-time among Cardinals.
- Has made 209 career starts at Busch Stadium III, 19th-most at a single stadium in MLB history. Jack Morris (210 at Tiger Stadium) ranks 18th.
- Has 107 career regular-season wins at Busch Stadium III, tied with Wilbur Cooper (107 at Forbes Field) for 22nd-most wins at a single stadium.
- Is one of 22 pitchers in MLB history to hold a stadium’s record for both appearances (240) and starts (209). Joins Bob Forsch (233 app/207 GS at Busch II) as Cardinals on that list.
- Has 1,190 regular season strikeouts at Busch Stadium III, 15th-most all-time at a single stadium. Jim Palmer (1,191 SO at Memorial Stadium) ranks 14th.
- Is tied with Lance Lynn and Trevor Rosenthal for most Postseason appearances at Busch (13). Leads in PS starts (8), IP (62.0), strikeouts (72) at Busch III.
LAST TIME OUT
- Suffered his 3rd-straight loss in a 15-2 defeat at Miami on July 4. Was placed on the Injured List (right shoulder strain) the following day. Tied Bob Forsch (401) for 2nd all-time in games started by a St. Louis Cardinals pitcher.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:
IN THE WEST: The D-backs entered the day tied for second in the NL West with the Giants, 4.0 games behind the Dodgers.
- Arizona has spent 66 days in/tied for first place in the division.
TIME FOR SOME HOME COOKIN’: The D-backs make their post-All-Star debut @ Chase Field and play their first action at home in 2 weeks (since June 9 vs. Pirates).
- Arizona started the second half of season on the road with a 9-game, 11-day trip in Toronto, Atlanta and Cincinnati (2-7).
VS. CARDINALS: The D-backs took 2 of 3 in St. Louis from April 17-19.
- In 2022, the D-backs split their first series (2-2) @ Cardinals and lost their 3-game home series (0-3).
2-3-4 OFFENSE PRODUCTION: The D-backs’ 2-3-4 hitters in the batting order ranks among the best in the NL:
AVG (1st, .277), extra-base hits (1st, 148), total bases
(1st, 611), hits (2nd, 330), OBP (3rd, .349), SLG (3rd,
.513), RBI (3rd, 206), home runs (3rd, 61) fewest strikeouts (3rd, 253) and stolen bases (T-3rd, 38).
RECENT NOTABLES: Notable D-backs hitters since the All-Star break:
♦ Geraldo Perdomo, in 8 games since the break, is hitting .346 (9-for-26)/.433 OBP with 1 double, 1 triple, 3 RBI and 4 walks (1 strikeout).
♦ Ketel Marte, in 9 games since the break, is hitting .333 (12-for-36)/1.151 OPS with 4 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 11 RBI and 6 walks.
♦ Corbin Carroll, in 4 games, is hitting .308 (4-for13)/1.438 OPS with 3 home runs, 4 RBI, 3 walks and 1 stolen base.
SHOW ‘EM WHAT YOU’RE MADE OF: 18 of the D-backs’ first 24 games post-All-Star Break are against opponents with a combined win percentage of .557 and 7 of the
8 opponents have a .500 record or better (Blue Jays, Braves, Reds, Mariners, Giants, Twins, Dodgers)…only losing record during this stretch (Cardinals, .444).
♦ Last series combined opposing win percentage was .578 (Blue Jays (0-3), Braves (2-1) and Reds (0-3).
HOME SWEET HOME:Ketel Marte has hit safely in 10 of \his last 13 home games, since June 12, at a .357 clip (15-for-42)/.997 OPS with 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 6
RBI and 7 walks.
♦ Jake McCarthy, in his last 15 home games, is hitting .320 (16-for-50)/.886 OPS with 2 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, 1 RBI, 2 walks and 6 stolen bases.
♦ Christian Walker, in his last 16 home games, is hitting .316 (18-for-57)/.1.190 OPS with 8 doubles, 6 home runs, 7 runs, 15 RB and 10 walks.
♦ Alek Thomas homered in his last 2 home games (July 8-9 vs. Pirates) and is hitting .400 (6-for-15) in 6 home games in July.
WHEN WE STRIKE FIRST: The D-backs are 14-5 (.737) at home when scoring first versus 12-19 (.387) when allowed the game’s first run at home. KETEL IN A GROOVE: Ketel Marte ranks among NL hitters since the All-Star break in triples (T-1st, 2), extra-base hits (T-2nd, 8), doubles (T-2nd, 4), SLG (10th, .722) and
OPS (10th, 1.151).
KETEL CLIMBING: Ketel Marte’s 176 doubles are tied for fifth on the franchise list with Stephen Drew.
♦ Has 96 home runs as a D-back and 99 in his career.
YOUNG ‘BACKS: The D-backs’ 27.8 average team age is the the third youngest in the NL, behind the Pirates (27.5) and Nationals (27.5…oppositely, the Cardinals’ roster is the fourth oldest average age in the NL at 29.3…oldest in NL and MLB is Miami at 31.2.
DIAMOND DEFENDERS: The D-backs’ .990 fielding pct. is the best in the Majors while their 36 errors are the fewest, ahead of the Orioles (40) and Padres (40).
♦ The D-backs 23 team defensive runs saved are second in the NL, behind the Brewers (35).
♦ Christian Walker’s 7 Outs Above Average (OAA) and 5 Runs Above Average (RAA) lead all MLB first basemen, ahead of Anthony Rizzo/ NYY (6 OAA/4 RAA) and Josh Naylor/CLE (4 OAA/3 RAA).
EXTRA! EXTRA! The D-backs have set a club record with 74 straight games with an extra-base hit (since April 28, 40-33 record), the Majors’ longest active streak ahead of the Angels (73) and Dodgers (72).
FOR THE TAKING: The D-backs’ 110 bases taken^ are tied for second in the Majors (also: Dodgers), behind the Padres (118) while their 47 pct. extra bases taken percentage* is fourth in the Majors, behind the Rays (49%), Braves (49%), Orioles (48%) and Reds (48%).
^ Bases advanced on flys, passed balls, wild pitches, balks, def. indifference.
- Pct. runner advanced more than 1 base on single or 2+ bases on a double.
STARTING PITHER – RHP RYNE NELSON ♦ #19
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Is 3-1 with a 3.60 ERA (12 ER in 30.0 IP) in his last 5 starts…in 4 of his last 5 starts has pitched into the sixth inning and allowed 2 or fewer runs.
- The D-backs are 8-5 in his last 13 bids.
- Has exited 13 of his 20 starts with the lead or tied.
LAST START: Improved to 7-6 after earning the win on July 19 @ Braves (2 ER in 7.0 IP)… both runs came on solo shots by Marcell Ozuna in the second and Austin Riley in the seventh… retired 11 straight batters after the Ozuna homer before allowing a triple to Michael Harris II in the sixth inning.
VS. CARDINALS: Making his first career start.
VS. NL CENTRAL: Made his lone start against an NL Central opponent this season on June 20 @ Brewers (ND; 3 ER in 5.0 IP)…making his fi rst start @ Chase Field.
NASTY NELLY: Is 4-0 with a 2.06 ERA (9 ER in 39.1 IP) when he pitches 6.0+ innings in 4 starts.
IT’S UNDER CONTROL: Has only surrendered 4 walks in his last 6 starts (35.0 IP).
- Has walked 2 or fewer batters in 15 of his 20 starts.
PITCH TRACKING: Opposing batters are hitting .167 (8-for-48) with 11 strikeouts off his changeup and .220 (11-for-50) with 11 strikeouts off his slider.
- Opponents are batting .154 (6-for-39) off his changeup over his last 12 starts.
VS. LEFTIES: Is holding lefties to a .169 average (11-for-65) over his last 6 starts.
FIRST PITCH SUCCESS: His first-pitch swing (23.2 to 32.6) and first-pitch strike (53.6 to 60.8) percentages are up from 2022.
BATTED BALL STATS: His groundball percentage is up to 38.7 from 25.5 while his fly ball percentage is down to 28.9 from 44.7.
THIRD TIME THROUGH: In his third time thru the lineup, is limiting batters to a .214 average (18-for-84) with 8 walks and 11 strikeouts.
INNING INFO: In innings 6-8, owns a 1.64 ERA (2 ER in 11.0 IP) with a .128 opponent average (5-for-39) and 9 strikeouts. 0-2 GOT YOU: Opponents are 5-for-42 (.119) with 16 strikeouts on an 0-2 count.
UNFAMILIAR FACES: The Cardinals will be the 14th opponent faced for the first time this season: Marlins, Royals, Rockies, Nationals, Giants, Athletics, Phillies, Braves, Tigers, Brewers, Angels, Mets, Blue Jays and Cardinals.
