Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore, in his first year as a full-time rotation member, can put up a third straight strong start Sunday and continue to prove that his recent struggles were an aberration.
Liberatore and the Cardinals go for the sweep in Cleveland at 11:05 a.m. (51ºÚÁÏ time) on Sunday in the finale of a three-game set.
51ºÚÁÏ overcame an early 6-1 deficit to win Saturday.
The game is available , where it is free to view.
The left-hander Liberatore (5-6, 3.96 ERA) has seemingly cleared a rough patch, putting up a 1.77 ERA in his last two starts, the most recent of which came against a high-powered Chicago Cubs lineup.
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He has limited opponents in those two games to a .234 batting average with a strikeout rate of 18% while also inducing ground balls at a higher rate more in line with his production early on this season, when he started out as one of the most valuable starters in the majors.
The six games before those last two, Liberatore allowed opponents to hit .316 against him including a three-game stretch with a 10.29 ERA. During that span, his velocity began to drop at times.
In his last outing, Liberatore reached a new big-league career high in innings pitched (86 1/3), but as columnist Lynn Worthy points out, he has thrown many more innings in a year when including the minor leagues.
Against the Cubs, Liberatore threw his four-seamer a season-high 36.5% of the time, something he may want to repeat vs. Cleveland, a team that sports the lowest batting average in baseball vs. four-seamers.
Once a top prospect, Liberatore looked like he had for the first time unlocked that potential early this season.
The Guardians will start left-hander Logan Allen (5-5, 4.25 ERA), who has been solid yet unspectacular most of the year. He hasn't permitted more than four runs in any of his last 10 starts.
Though none of his pitches grade all that well, the results speak for themselves. Allen has the seventh-lowest average exit velocity among 95 starting pitchers with 70 or more innings thrown this season.
The Cardinals are 46-38, third in the National League Central. They're seeking their second sweep in their last four series.
Cleveland is 40-41, under .500 for the first time since they were 5-6 in April.
How to watch Cardinals at Guardians
When:Â 11:05 a.m. Saturday
Where:Â Progressive Field in Cleveland
TV/radio:Â Roku (); KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the as well as .
Note: The game is available for free on the Roku app on your smart device, tablet or mobile phone. On a desktop, visit . It's also broadcast on if you subscribe to that service.
Lineups
CARDINALS
- Brendan Donovan, LF
- Masyn Winn, SS
- Willson Contreras, 1B
- Nolan Arenado, 3B
- Nolan Gorman, DH
- Thomas Saggese, 2B
- Pedro Pagés, C
- Garrett Hampson, RF
- Victor Scott II, CF
P: Matthew Liberatore, LHP
GUARDIANS
- Steven Kwan, LF
- David Fry, DH
- José RamÃrez, 3B
- Carlos Santana, 1B
- Lane Thomas, CF
- Angel MartÃnez, 2B
- Gabriel Arias, SS
- Johnathan RodrÃguez, RF
- Austin Hedges, C
P: Logan Allen, LHP
Injury report
Jordan Walker, OF (appendicitis): Walker began a rehab assignment on Saturday and collected one hit in four at-bats while hitting from Class AAA Memphis’s designated hitter spot. He reportedly came out of the game fine and was slated to start in right field for Memphis on Sunday. Walker, who received a nonsurgical treatment for appendicitis, was sent to the hospital on Tuesday night and spent the night there before returning home the next morning. During his rehab assignment, the Cardinals want to see how Walker’s body responds to increased activity. If all goes well, Walker is expected to be ready to come off the injured list when he is eligible to do so on July 3. Updated June 29
Ivan Herrera, C/DH (left hamstring strain): Herrera has started doing some workouts on the field and in the weight room to ease into his recovery from a slightly torn hamstring string. He has not been inactive since the event. He felt a "pull" in his hamstring while running the bases June 19 during a game vs. the White Sox. He is expected to miss anywhere from two-to-six weeks with a Grade 2 strain in his left hamstring and went on the injured list on June 20. Updated June 26
Zack Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain): 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. Updated June 19
