The St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds are poised for a significant three-game series as they both chase a National League wild-card berth. The Cardinals, having recently struggled with five losses in seven games post-All-Star break, are now trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks by 1.5 games for the final wild-card position. Meanwhile, the Reds are looking to extend their momentum, arriving on the road with back-to-back series victories, despite being six games behind the Diamondbacks. The spotlight will be on Cardinals pitcher Dustin May, who, after a stellar one-hit shutout earlier in the season, has faced a challenging period, while Reds All-Star Sal Stewart continues to be a crucial offensive force, and pitcher Rhett Lowder seeks to improve his recent performance.
Dustin May, a 28-year-old right-hander for the Cardinals, has experienced a dip in form since his exceptional one-hit shutout against the San Diego Padres on June 15. In the five starts following that impressive outing, May holds an 0-1 record with a significantly elevated earned run average of 9.92. His most recent appearance saw him pitch five innings for the first time in over a month, yielding five runs on eight hits, alongside six strikeouts and four walks, in a 5-3 defeat against Arizona. Despite these recent struggles, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol expressed unwavering confidence in May's ability to rediscover his rhythm, emphasizing his competitive nature and past strong performances.
This upcoming game will mark May's 91st career appearance and his 77th start in the major leagues, and it will be his first time facing the Cincinnati Reds. Among the Reds players who will get their initial look at May is their All-Star first baseman, Sal Stewart. The 22-year-old has been a prolific run-producer, ranking fourth across major league baseball with 74 RBIs, including nine in his team's first two series since the All-Star break. Cincinnati manager Terry Francona highlighted Stewart's strength and excellent hitting hands, noting his ability to drive the ball. However, despite his impressive RBI numbers, Stewart's batting average has been modest since the break, standing at .130 (3-for-23).
On the mound for Cincinnati, Rhett Lowder will be aiming for a more positive outcome. The 24-year-old right-hander, who began the season as a starter for 13 outings before transitioning to the bullpen, rejoined the rotation after the All-Star break. His last start was a tough one, as he lasted only 2 1/3 innings, surrendering eight runs on 11 hits in a 10-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Lowder attributed the difficult outing to aggressive hitting from the Rockies and leaving too many pitches in the strike zone, stating his frustration. Historically, Lowder has performed well against the Cardinals, having thrown eight scoreless innings across two previous starts against them, including a no-decision on June 7 where he allowed just one hit and walked five over three scoreless innings.
As these two teams clash, the outcome could significantly impact their wild-card aspirations. The Cardinals hope for May to return to his dominant form, while the Reds look to their key players like Stewart and Lowder to deliver strong performances and continue their push for a playoff spot. The series promises to be a compelling battle as both clubs navigate the competitive landscape of the National League.
