51ºÚÁÏ

Herrera is in left field as the Cardinals open a three-game series vs. the Marlins at 6:45 p.m. at Busch Stadium.

Other than a few dozen innings at first base for his native Panama in the Caribbean Series, Herrera has appeared only at catcher and designated hitter since turning pro.

The Cardinals' opening day catcher, Herrera suffered two leg injuries this season, and the team has not put him back behind the plate since his most recent return from the injured list as it prioritizes his health and keeping his productive bat in the lineup.

51ºÚÁÏ split a four-game set with the Padres over the weekend, dropping the last two and the chance for a rare series victory. 51ºÚÁÏ has won just one of its last seven series.

On top of his team's struggles, Andre Pallante, Monday's starter, is in the middle of the roughest stretch of his young career. He has allowed 17 earned runs in his last three starts for a 9.77 ERA in that time.

With a strikeout percentage in the bottom 5% of baseball, inducing the right kind of contact is his only path to survival.

Even when he does keep the ball on the ground, batters can find holes. In his last start, Pallante got groundballs at a 64.7% clip, better than his season average. But he still gave up five earned runs.

The right-hander Pallante (5-7, 4.91 ERA) also induced one of his lower average exit velocities of the season last time out, so even if the scoreboard indicates trouble, the underlying metrics indicate he's on the right track.

With a 61.8% groundball rate this season, Pallante is second-best among pitchers who have thrown at least 100 innings. His 4.91 ERA, however, is fourth-worst.

The Marlins rank in the bottom third of baseball offensively and are among league leaders in most groundballs hit.

Since June 20, Miami has been on a mini-surge, ranking in the top third of baseball in some offensive metrics.

For Miami, right-hander Edward Cabrera (4-4, 3.48 ERA) will take the mound. He is one of the players most likely to be on the move at this week's trade deadline, to . Cabrera has been the team's most valuable starter this season.

Miami's starting pitchers rank 27th in baseball with a 4.81 ERA while the team's relievers rank 17th with a 3.81 mark.

The Cardinals are 54-53 and 7-15 in their last 22 games. The Redbirds are 3 1/2 games out of the final wild card spot with two teams between them and the Padres, the team that currently holds that berth.

The Marlins are 50-54 and have won eight of their past 11, taking two of three in Milwaukee over the weekend.

Matt Svanson recalled, Andre Granillo sent down

Before the game, the Cardinals made a move to bolster their relief pitching depth for the series.

Right-hander Andre Granillo was sent down to Triple-A Memphis and fellow righty Matt Svanson was called up to take his place.

Granillo appeared in each of the past two games, throwing 46 pitches on Sunday.

Svanson is 1-0 with a 3.12 ERA in 17 appearances for the Cardinals this season.

How to watch Cardinals vs. Marlins

When: 6:45 p.m. Monday

Where: Busch 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. Brendan Donovan, 2B

2. Iván Herrera, LF

3. Alec Burleson, DH

4. Willson Contreras, 1B

5. Masyn Winn, SS

6. Jordan Walker, RF

7. Yohel Pozo, C

8. Thomas Saggese, 3B

9. Victor Scott II, CF

P: Andre Pallante, RHP

MARLINS

1. Xavier Edwards, 2B

2. Jesús Sánchez, RF

3. Agustín Ramírez, C

4. Kyle Stowers, LF

5. Otto Lopez, SS

6. Liam Hicks, DH

7. Eric Wagaman, 1B

8. Graham Pauley, 3B

9. Dane Myers, CF

P: Edward Cabrera, RHP

Injury report

Lars Nootbaar, OF (left costochondral sprain): Nootbaar continued taking swings Thursday with hitting off a tee and soft toss. He said he has been able to go through baseball activities and has responded well as he nears a rehab assignment, which could begin as early as this week. Updated July 27

Nolan Gorman, 2B/3B (back tightness): He is expected to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Class AA Springfield. This is a recurring injury for the young infielder, who also dealt with back soreness in previous seasons. Updated July 27

Zack Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain): Lefty starter could begin a throwing program next week, Marmol said. 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. Updated July 24