What's Happening?
The St. Louis Cardinals are utilizing the final month of their season to evaluate young players due to a series of injuries. Key players like Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan are sidelined, allowing prospects such as Thomas Saggese, Cesar Prieto, and Nathan Church to gain experience. Jimmy Crooks, a recent call-up, hit his first major league home run, showcasing potential for the team's future. The Cardinals are set to face the Athletics in a three-game series, with Sonny Gray starting for St. Louis. The Athletics, coming off a sweep by the Texas Rangers, will start rookie Luis Morales, who has shown promise with a 1.19 ERA.
Why It's Important?
This period is crucial for the Cardinals as they assess their future roster amidst a challenging season. The opportunity for young players to gain major league experience could influence the team's strategy and roster decisions in the upcoming seasons. For the Athletics, the performance of rookie Luis Morales is significant as it highlights the potential for strengthening their pitching lineup. Both teams are looking to build momentum and evaluate talent as they prepare for future seasons.
What's Next?
The Cardinals may make additional roster moves, such as recalling reliever Chris Roycroft, depending on the health of their current players. The outcome of this series could impact the Cardinals' standing in the National League wild-card race, while the Athletics aim to recover from their recent losses and evaluate their young talent.
