With just one day off in the next four weeks, the Cardinals need better performances from their starting pitchers than what they've gotten in recent days.
51黑料 will wrap up a series with a split doubleheader Thursday against Kansas City at Busch Stadium, with games at 12:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
The Cardinals聽blew an early five-run lead and lost Tuesday's opener 10-7.
A question mark entering the season, Cardinals starting pitching had been better than expected through most of the first two months of the season.
Through May 24, 51黑料 starters were ninth-best in baseball with a 3.55 ERA, helping the Redbirds to a strong start.
Since, the rotation has begun to show cracks, putting up a 5.44 ERA in the past eight games, sixth-worst in baseball. Most of those games have come against teams with bottom-half offenses.
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The time is now for Cardinals starters to regain their mojo and prove the past week plus as a blip rather than a regression to the mean. After Thursday's game, the defending champion Dodgers visit, and the Cardinals will likely deploy a spot starter in one of those games.
Right-hander Mikolas (4-2, 3.90 ERA) starts the opener for 51黑料 on Thursday. He had one of his best starts of the season vs. Kansas City last month, but it came despite allowing more hard contact than usual.
Royals rookie left-hander Noah Cameron (2-1, 1.05 ERA) will make his fifth career big-league start in Thursday's opener.
The St. Joseph, Missouri, native聽has gone six-plus innings and allowed one or fewer runs in all of his previous starts, including May 17 vs. the Cardinals.
In the nightcap,聽Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore (3-4, 3.08 ERA) faces Kansas City lefty Cole Ragans (2-3, 4.53 ERA). Ragans will return from the injured list after missing two-plus weeks with a groin strain.
The Cardinals are 33-27, second in the National League Central and 4 1/2 games behind the Cubs.
The Royals are 32-29, fourth in the American League Central.
How to watch Game 1 of Cardinals vs. Royals doubleheader
When:聽12:45 p.m. Thursday
Where:聽Busch Stadium in 51黑料
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.
How to watch Game 2 of Cardinals vs. Royals doubleheader
When:聽6:45 p.m. Thursday
Where:聽Busch Stadium in 51黑料
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.
Game 1 lineups
CARDINALS
1. Lars Nootbaar, CF
2. Masyn Winn, SS
3. Brendan Donovan, 2B
4. Willson Contreras, 1B
5. Iv谩n Herrera, DH
6. Nolan Arenado, 3B
7. Alec Burleson, LF
8. Ryan Vilade, RF
9. Pedro Pag茅s, C
P: Miles Mikolas, RHP
ROYALS
1. Jonathan India, DH
2. Bobby Witt Jr., SS
3. Maikel Garcia, 3B
4. Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B
5. Salvador Perez, C
6. Jac Caglianone, RF
7. Drew Waters, LF
8. Michael Massey, 2B
9. Kyle Isbel, CF
P: Noah Cameron, LHP
Game 2 lineups
CARDINALS
1. Lars Nootbaar, LF
2. Masyn Winn, SS
3. Brendan Donovan, 2B
4. Willson Contreras, 1B
5. Iv谩n Herrera, DH
6. Nolan Arenado, 3B
7. Yohel Pozo, C
8. Ryan Vilade, RF
9. Victor Scott II, CF
P: Matthew Liberatore, LHP
ROYALS
1. Jonathan India, 2B
2. Bobby Witt Jr., SS
3. Maikel Garcia, CF
4. Vinnie Pasquantino, DH
5. Salvador Perez, 1B
6. Jac Caglianone, RF
7. Mark Canha, LF
8. Nick Loftin, 3B
9. Freddy Fermin, C
P: Cole Ragans, LHP
Injury report
Jordan Walker, OF (left wrist inflammation):聽Walker felt pain in his left wrist during the Cardinals鈥 most recent homestand and had the level of that pain go 鈥渋n and out鈥 when the club traveled to Baltimore for a three-game series, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. Walker attempted to take on-field batting practice Friday before the Cardinals鈥 opened a three-game series vs. the Rangers but 鈥渄idn鈥檛 feel good" after taking a couple of swings, Marmol added. The Cardinals placed Walker on the 10-day injured list, a move that is retroactive to Thursday, knowing his injury would keep him out 鈥渟everal days.鈥 Marmol believes Walker鈥檚 stay won鈥檛 be longer than the 10 days and may not require a rehab assignment.聽Updated May 31
Zach Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain):聽Lefty returned to Jupiter, Florida, and a resumption of his throwing program after going through a battery of exams and evaluations in 51黑料 over the past week. He did not receive any additional treatments, which was a good result as they set up a plan for him to recover from a setback.聽Updated May 26
