51ºÚÁÏ

Liberatore and the Cardinals wrap up a three-game home series vs. the Athletics with Wednesday's 6:45 p.m. rubber game at Busch Stadium.

Ivan Herrera's two-run homer and Miles Mikolas' strong start lifted the Cardinals to a 2-1 win Tuesday in front of a record-low crowd.

The left-hander Liberatore (6-11, 4.32 ERA) threw 88 pitches on Friday, more than any other start since the break, and went five innings, allowing three runs in a win at Cincinnati.ÌýIt was also only his second time completing the fifth inning in seven post-break starts. He allowed a post-break high eight hits.

In that start, Liberatore threw his four-seamer, his most-used pitch, just 25% of the time, his lowest rate since the break. Batters hit .400 against it (2-for-5).

Other metrics also indicate cause for concern.

The pitch had its second-slowest average velocity on the pitch (92.8 miles per hour) of the season, and its spin rate was the lowest it has been in three months.

By expected batting average, which is based on quality of contact, Liberatore has been struggling with the four-seamer. The expected batting average against it has risen in each of his last three starts.

The Athletics will startÌýleft-hander Jeffrey Springs (10-9, 4.17 ERA), who has spent all of his eight big-league seasons in the American League.

51ºÚÁÏ has lost three of four games started by left-handers.

The Cardinals are 69-71, fourth in the National League Central and 6 1/2 games out of the final wild-card spot. They're aiming for their third series win in their last five.

The Athletics are 64-76.

How to watch Cardinals vs. Athletics

When:Ìý6:45 p.m. Wednesday

Where:ÌýBusch 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. Masyn Winn, SS

2. Iván Herrera, DH

3. Lars Nootbaar, LF

4. Willson Contreras, 1B

5. Thomas Saggese, 2B

6. Nolan Gorman, 3B

7. Pedro Pagés, C

8. Jordan Walker, RF

9. Victor Scott II, CF

P: Matthew Liberatore, LHP

ATHLETICS

1. Shea Langeliers, DH

2. Jacob Wilson, SS

3. Nick Kurtz, 1B

4. Brent Rooker, RF

5. Colby Thomas, LF

6. Zack Gelof, 2B

7. Darell Hernaiz, 3B

8. Lawrence Butler, CF

9. Willie MacIver, C

P:ÌýJeffrey Springs, LHP

Injury report

Nolan Arenado, 3B (right shoulder strain):ÌýArenado will 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 and hopes his injury won't sideline him longer than the mandated 10 days. 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. He said he has been able to field and squeeze a baseball. Being able to swing a bat will be the next step in his recovery.ÌýUpdated Sept. 2

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. The Cardinals placed him on the 10-day injured list Aug. 18 retroactive to Aug. 15.ÌýDonovan fielded ground balls early Monday and has had his physical activity level increase to a point where he’s been able to run, field, throw and hit off of a pitching machine. Donovan repeated Monday's pregame workout on Tuesday. How Donovan’s body responds to the back-to-back days of workouts will offer “a better timelineâ€� for when he could begin a rehab assignment.ÌýUpdated Sept. 2

Riley O'Brien, RHP (right shoulder soreness):ÌýAfter undergoing imaging on his right shoulder early Monday, O’Brien could be seen playing catch Monday. O’Brien, 30, hasn’t appeared in a game since Thursday but remains on the active roster. Marmol said he'll look to avoid using O'Brien during the Cardinals' three-game series vs. the Athletics with the hope the righty will be available Friday in Seattle. O'Brien said he first felt a “little bit of extra soreness and tightnessâ€� in his shoulder about a week ago from Monday. Some of the sensations of soreness and tightness has lessened since, but he described a lingering discomfort. Updated Sept. 1

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

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