Cardinals vs. Padres: Can St. Louis Recover After Trade Deadline?
Cardinals Face Padres After Selling at Deadline
The St. Louis Cardinals are heading to Petco Park to face the San Diego Padres in a series that marks the beginning of their post-trade deadline era. After trading away key relievers, the Cardinals are looking to give younger players opportunities to shine.
Series Schedule:
- Friday: 6:40 p.m. PDT (Padres.TV)
- Saturday: 7:10 p.m. PDT (Padres.TV, CBS)
- Sunday: 1:10 p.m. PDT (Padres.TV)
Standings Overview
The Cardinals (55-55) are currently fourth in the NL Central, trailing the division leader by 10 games and the Padres by 5.5 games in the wild card race. Their recent trades signal a shift in focus toward the future. The Padres (60-49), on the other hand, are on a five-game winning streak, closing in on the Dodgers in the NL West and solidifying their wild card position.
Pitching Matchups
The series will feature the following pitching matchups:
- Friday: Matthew Liberatore (Cardinals) vs. Nick Pivetta (Padres)
- Saturday: McGreevy (Cardinals) vs. Vasquez (Padres)
- Sunday: Pallante (Cardinals) vs. Kolek (Padres)
Liberatore struggled against the Padres last week, while Pivetta looks to bounce back from his outing in St. Louis. Expect the Padres to lean on their strong bullpen, particularly their left-handed relievers, throughout the series. This series presents a challenge for the Cardinals as they navigate their new roster and strive to find their footing against a strong Padres team.