51黑料

The right-hander聽Mikolas (5-6, 4.94 ERA) starts Sunday as the Cardinals wrap up their first post-break series with a 3:10 p.m. first pitch at Arizona.

51黑料 is trying to avoid the sweep after its starting pitchers have given up a total of 14 earned runs in the first two games of the series.

Through the end of May, Mikolas had allowed just three homers in 11 starts, a significant part of his better-than-expected 3.90 ERA to that point.

Since, Mikolas has allowed the second-most homers among starters, though half of his 12 did come in one game. He has a 6.45 ERA since June 1.

In those first two months of the season, he allowed a 9.9% barrel rate, meaning he was inducing a lot of lazy fly balls.

Those flies have been anything but lazy since June 1. His barrel rate allowed is up to 15.2%, leading to loads more homers.

Mikolas does have something to build on: His last outing before the break broke a six-game streak in which he allowed at least one home run in each. By Bill James' game score, that most recent start was his best since mid-May.

Despite the increased home run rate, 11 of the 15 he has allowed this season have been solo shots.

Arizona will be looking to tee off Sunday.聽The Diamondbacks rank in the top three in baseball in home runs at home despite the fact that聽Chase Field is among the more difficult venues to homer in, just above Busch Stadium in .

Arizona will start聽right-hander Merrill Kelly (8-5, 3.34 ERA), the team's most valuable starter this year by a wide margin.聽Kelly leads with his changeup, one of the most valuable in baseball in 2025.

The Cardinals, losers of 10 of their last 14, are 51-48. They're fourth in the National League Central for the first time since May and a season-worst 8 1/2 games out of first.聽51黑料 starters have an MLB-worst 7.64 ERA since June 30.

The Diamondbacks are 49-50, fourth in the National League West.

How to watch Cardinals at Diamondbacks

When:聽3:10 p.m. Sunday

Where:聽Chase Field in Phoenix

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. Iv谩n Herrera, DH

3. Alec Burleson, LF

4. Willson Contreras, 1B

5. Nolan Arenado, 3B

6. Masyn Winn, SS

7. Yohel Pozo, C

8. Jordan Walker, RF

9. Victor Scott II, CF

P: Miles Mikolas, RHP

DIAMONDBACKS

1. Corbin Carroll, RF

2. Jake McCarthy, LF

3. Geraldo Perdomo, SS

4. Josh Naylor, 1B

5. Eugenio Su谩rez, 3B

6. Adrian Del Castillo, DH

7. Blaze Alexander, 2B

8. Alek Thomas, CF

9. Jose Herrera, C

P:聽Merrill Kelly, RHP

Injury report

Lars Nootbaar, OF (left costochondral sprain): Nootbaar attempted to play through discomfort in his left side in the days leading up to the All-Star break but was forced to exit games early on July 10 and July 12 when the issue flared up before being placed on the 10-day IL on July 13. Since he's dealt with the issue, Nootbaar has reaggravated the injury on check swings. He remained in 51黑料 when the Cardinals began their first road trip of the second half in Arizona. The goal is for Nootbaar to begin a swing progression by Monday back in 51黑料. Updated July 18

Nolan Gorman, 2B/3B (back tightness): Gorman was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday (retroactive to Friday), a day after he scratched from the Cardinals鈥� starting lineup for their Friday opener in Arizona because of tightness in his back. Before the first half of the season wrapped, Gorman was unavailable from the Cardinals鈥� bench on July 13 after his 鈥渓ower back locked up on him,鈥� Marmol said. Updated July 19

Zack Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain):聽Lefty starter has begun a throwing program designed to strengthen his arm after a long stretch without much activity. The shoulder has responded well and Thompson has felt progress with this program, which had to be restarted because his recovery stalled in May. There is no timetable for his return to the mound.聽Updated June 19