51ºÚÁÏ

At the start of July, the Cardinals were well over .500 and were in playoff position. Since, they've put up one of the worst records in baseball.

The Cardinals open a six-game homestand, their last of the year, on Monday at 6:45 p.m. vs. the Reds.

At the end of play on July 1, the Cardinals were 47-40 and holding the final playoff spot. Since then, the Redbirds have careened back to Earth. They're four games under and would need to win two of three in each of their four remaining series just to finish .500.

With a 25-37 record since July 2, only the Rockies have fewer wins. A big part of that second-half slide has been due to an offensive decline.

Nolan Arenado, activated before Monday's game, has the team's worst OPS since July 2 (.440), though it came in just a month. He has been out since Aug. 1 with a shoulder strain.

Arenado will bat sixth and play third base Monday.

Jose Fermin was sent down in a corresponding move.

What was a middling offense has become one of baseball's worst. The Redbirds' offensive downslope has been remarkable in its consistency. Every month, another 9-10 points fall off the team's OPS, a mark 51ºÚÁÏ is again on pace to match this month.

The Cardinals have a .659 on-base plus slugging percentage since July 2, second-worst in baseball.

In that time, 14 Cardinals have made 50 or more plate appearances. Just three have an OPS better than the .721 MLB average: Willson Contreras, Alec Burleson and Ivan Herrera.

Six players are 100 points or more below average. Jordan Walker (.599) and Victor Scott II (.492) have been big parts of that slide. While a big part of Scott's value is in his defense in center, Walker in particular has been a trouble spot. He will finish with his worst big-league season yet. He's been worth negative 1.2 wins above replacement. Only two other Cardinals, Yohel Pozo and Nolan Arenado, have negative value since July 2, and they haven't taken as many plate appearances combined as Walker.

Monday's starters

Cardinals: Left-hander Matthew Liberatore (7-12, 4.35 ERA)

Last time out: Five earned runs in four innings in a loss at Seattle

Trends: Liberatore has a 5.86 ERA in his last six starts.

Reds: Right-hander Zack Littell (9-8, 3.78 ERA)

Last time out: Two earned runs in six innings in a no-decision at San Diego

Trends: Littell has a 5.23 ERA in his last six starts. His best start in that span was vs. the Cardinals (7IP, 3ER).

Records

The Cardinals are 73-77 after a 1-5 road trip. With playoff odds of less than 1% via Fangraphs, the Redbirds would need to pass four teams in the standings.

The Reds, who were swept in three games In Sacramento over the weekend, are 74-75 and 2 1/2 games out of the final wild-card spot. Fangraphs gives the team about a 5% chance of making the playoffs.

Roberto Clemente Day

Monday is Roberto Clemente Day, and all players and on-field personnel will wear a “21� patch on their uniform sleeves. All Roberto Clemente Award nominees and recipients will have the option to wear 21 on their uniforms. 

Brendan Donovan is the Cardinals' nominee for his work supporting a variety of charitable organizations.

How to watch Cardinals vs. Reds

When: 6:45 p.m. Monday

Where: Busch Stadium in 51ºÚÁÏ

TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (); KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the as well as .

Your options to watch: Input your ZIP code and see your choices for watching Cardinals games.

Lineups

CARDINALS

1. Brendan Donovan, 2B

2. Iván Herrera, DH

3. Alec Burleson, LF

4. Willson Contreras, 1B

5. Lars Nootbaar, RF

6. Nolan Arenado, 3B

7. Thomas Saggese, SS

8. Jimmy Crooks, C

9. Victor Scott II, CF

P: Matthew Liberatore, LHP

REDS

1. TJ Friedl, CF

2. Noelvi Marte, RF

3. Miguel Andujar, DH

4. Austin Hays, LF

5. Sal Stewart, 3B

6. Tyler Stephenson, C

7. Elly De La Cruz, SS

8. Spencer Steer, 1B

9. Matt McLain, 2B

P: Zack Littell, RHP

Injury report

Zack Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain): Lefty starter remains on a throwing program in Jupiter, trying to overcome some setbacks as he increased the intensity of his throws through the course of the season. He's visited 51ºÚÁÏ for evaluation to monitor if the injury worsens. Thompson has been sidelined since the start of March and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in early April. There is no timetable for his return to the mound. Updated Aug. 6

Masyn Winn, SS (right meniscus tear): After dealing with ongoing pain in his knee caused by a slight meniscus tear that scratched him from the lineup repeatedly, the Cardinals put Winn on the injured list on Saturday, ending his season. He was attempting to play through the pain after being assured by the medical team that he could not do more damage to the knee. Updated Sept. 13