51ºÚÁÏ

The two start Sunday at 11:10 a.m. (51ºÚÁÏ time) as the Cardinals aim for the sweep in the series finale vs. the Reds in Cincinnati.

On Saturday, fellow rookie Michael McGreevy recorded another quality start as the Cardinals won 4-2.

Here's what to know about Crooks and Prieto

Jimmy Crooks, what to know

A fourth-round pick in 2022, the catcher Crooks is the team's .

Crooks, 24, a left-handed hitter, has a .778 on-base plus slugging percentage along with 14 homers and 79 RBIs in Triple-A Memphis this season.

He grew up looking up to Cardinals great Yadier Molina.

“But more or less growing up, I used to watch (Yadier Molina) all the time," he said at the Cardinals' Winter Warm-up. "I was a big Rangers fan, but I loved Yadi. I used to watch him catch, and I just loved it."

Behind the plate, he rates as above-average in framing and defensively as a whole by .

Cesar Prieto, what to know

Acquired from the Orioles in the Jack Flaherty trade in 2023, Prieto, 26, was originally signed by Baltimore as an international free agent after he .

The left-handed hitter has an .807 OPS at Memphis this season with 29 doubles (fourth-best in the International League) and 62 RBIs.

Defensively, Prieto, who throws with his right arm, made a strong impression for how he improved during spring camp. Manager Oliver Marmol told Derrick Goold that the reports from Memphis indicated continued defensive strides.

“Probably the most improved player down there,� Marmol said Friday.

At Memphis, Prieto split time between shortstop and third base while also seeing significant innings at second base.

Starting pitchers:ÌýThe Cardinals will start struggling righty Andre Pallante (6-12, 5.44 ERA), who gave up eight runs, seven of them earned, last time out. The Reds will send out righty Brady Singer (11-9, 4.06 ERA).

Records:ÌýThe Cardinals are 68-69. The Reds are 68-68. A win Sunday vaults the Cardinals past the Reds in the wild-card race.

How to watch Cardinals at Reds

When:Ìý11:10 a.m. Sunday

Where:ÌýGreat American Ball Park in Cincinnati

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. Lars Nootbaar, LF

2. Iván Herrera, DH

3. Willson Contreras, 1B

4. Nolan Gorman, 3B

5. Thomas Saggese, SS

6. César Prieto, 2B

7. Jordan Walker, RF

8. Jimmy Crooks, C

9. Nathan Church, CF

P: Andre Pallante, RHP

REDS

1. TJ Friedl, CF

2. Noelvi Marte, RF

3. Elly De La Cruz, DH

4. Austin Hays, LF

5. Gavin Lux, 2B

6. Spencer Steer, 1B

7. Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B

8. Will Banfield, C

9. Matt McLain, SS

P: Brady Singer, RHP

Injury report

Nolan Arenado, 3B (right shoulder strain):ÌýArenado with return to 51ºÚÁÏ on Wednesday for a meeting with the team and its medical staff. His progress and strength will be evaluated, and the result of those meetings could slingshot him into a rehab assignment with a timetable for return. He has been going through fielding workouts with limited throwing in Jupiter, Florida. And he’s progressed to taking swings, throwing and going through baseball activities.ÌýUpdated Aug. 31

John King, LHP (mid-back strain): King’s back injury is believed to be related to the left oblique strain that landed him on the IL near the end of July and kept him sidelined through the first three weeks of August. King tried throwing before Tuesday’s game and felt discomfort and underwent imaging. A timeline for his recovery could become clearer later this week, Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said, but King said he believes the injury wouldn’t sideline him through the rest of the season.ÌýUpdated Aug. 28

Alec Burleson, 1B/OF (right wrist pain):ÌýBurleson went on the 10-day injured list Friday with persisting pain and inflammation in his right wrist. Burleson received an anti-inflammatory injection in the joint that was going to require at least 48 hours of inactivity, and the Cardinals did not want to play short through the coming week. Updated Aug. 29

Brendan Donovan, 2B (sprained toe/left groin):ÌýAn injury sustained before the All-Star break persists and is likely contributing to soreness in his leg and groin, the infielder said recently. The Cardinals placed him on the 10-day injured list Aug. 18 retroactive to Aug. 15. He’s begun hitting off a tee, taken swings through soft toss, and reportedly felt progress in his groin. As of Wednesday, Donovan was continuing to make progress toward a point where he’s free of pain. There is no timetable for his injury recovery. Updated Aug. 27

Yohel Pozo, C (concussion protocols):ÌýPozo has recovered well and felt no lingering effects, though he remains in 51ºÚÁÏ on concussion protocols for the remainder of the week. He took a foul ball off the helmet during Thursday’s game. The Cardinals expect him to be available when his mandatory seven days on the IL is over.ÌýUpdated Aug. 31

Victor Scott II, CF (sprained left ankle):ÌýHow Scott comes out of Sunday's game with Class AA Springfield will determine if he's added to the active roster Monday ahead of the Cardinals' home game with the Athletics. He sprained his ankle Aug. 16 while trying to rob a home run from Aaron Judge. He could return as soon as Monday, when rosters expand to 28 players.ÌýUpdated Aug. 31

Zack Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain):ÌýLefty 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.ÌýUpdated Aug. 6