Steven Matz, Cardinals aim to finish final Oakland trip with a sweep: First Pitch (2024)

The Cardinals can record their first sweep of the season when they wrap up a road series Wednesday against the Athletics. First pitch is set for 2:37 p.m. St. Louis time.

Left-hander Steven Matz (1-0, 1.80)will take the mound for the Cardinals.

Matz hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in his last seven outings, dating back to last season.

Batters have hit his fastball for a .192 average this season, down from .240 last season. Baseball Savant ranks that pitch in the top 10 percent of baseball this year.

Oakland will send out right-hander Paul Blackburn (1-0, 0.00). Blackburn has been one of baseball's best starters early on. He's the only qualified starter to not allow a run. He's limiting hitters to a .162 average.

In his eighth big-league season, Blackburn, a former first-round pick, has only been above average by ERA+ once in his career, his debut season of 2017.

Tuesday night's game was played before an announced crowd of 3,296, the smallest crowd the Cardinals have played in front of since 2017, not including games played under pandemic crowd restrictions.

Oakland, in its last season in the Bay Area, will play starting next year in a Triple-A park in Sacramento for several seasons before moving to Las Vegas.

The Cardinals are 9-9, last in a compressed NL Central. A win Wednesday would put the Redbirds, who have yet to win a series finale, above .500 for just the second time this season.

The A's are 7-11, fourth in the AL West. The A's are assured of their first series loss in their last four.

Lineups

CARDINALS

1. Brendan Donovan, LF

2. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B

3. Lars Nootbaar, RF

4. Nolan Arenado, 3B

5. Willson Contreras, DH

6. Nolan Gorman, 2B

7. Iván Herrera, C

8. Masyn Winn, SS

9. Michael Siani, CF

P: Steven Matz, LHP

ATHLETICS

1. Esteury Ruiz, CF

2. Tyler Nevin, RF

3. Zack Gelof, 2B

4. Shea Langeliers, C

5. Abraham Toro, DH

6. Darell Hernaiz, 3B

7. Ryan Noda, 1B

8. Nick Allen, SS

9. Max Schuemann, LF

P: Paul Blackburn, RHP

Injury report

Tommy Edman (wrist surgery):On the 10-day IL, Edman began soft toss batting practice and tee work back in St. Louis. He will advance through the usual hitting progression as tolerated with the next step being coach pitch before facing a pitching machine.Updated April 17

Matt Carpenter (oblique strain):Placed on the 10-day injured list, backdated to April 2 after feeling discomfort in his torso after he went through his pregame routine in the batting cage. On Monday, he hit soft toss and tee and the veteran hopes to advance to batting practice in the near future. He may do that for the first time Friday when team reconvenes at Busch Stadium. He will take a rehab assignment to get bulk at-bats.Updated April 17

Riley O'Brien (flexor tendon):Placed on the 15-day injured list on March 31 retroactive to March 29, O'Brien's right arm tightened up after his opening day appearance. The initial diagnosis is strain of the flexor tendon; scans showed no structural damage. He will play catch this weekend.Updated April 17

Dylan Carlson (sprained shoulder): On 10-day IL, Carlson hit off a tee for the first time Monday back in St. Louis as he advances on a hitting program. He'll go from soft toss and tee work to facing coaches in a controlled setting and then advance as comfortable.Updated April 17

Keynan Middleton (forearm strain): On the 15-day IL, Middleton received a PRP injection to facilitate healing. He extended the distance of his catch Wednesday and will slowly progress through a throwing program that could put him several weeks away from returning to the mound for any workouts that would be similar to a bullpen session.Updated April 17

Drew Rom (biceps tendinitis): On the 15-day IL, Rom experienced the soreness in his left arm shortly before the end of spring training. He’ll be on a throwing program to rebuild arm strength and ready for a likely assignment to Class AAA Memphis’ rotation.Updated April 8