May 19, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images The St. Louis Cardinals have built one of the better home-field advantages in the majors this season.
They will try to continue their run of good fortune on Sunday afternoon when they bid for a three-game sweep of the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals improved to 18-8 at home Saturday afternoon by rallying for a 6-5 victory. They won the series opener 4-3 on Friday.
“The crowd, they were into it,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said. “That’s what it’s supposed to sound like and these guys feed off of that. They are loving every second of it. (Friday) night was no different.
“Just hearing the crowd get into it, playing at home under those conditions, is a hell of a lot of fun.”
The Cardinals will turn to right-hander Sonny Gray (5-1, 4.02 ERA) to start the series finale. Gray is coming off one of his best outings of the season.
After allowing seven runs on eight hits (including three homers) over 3 2/3 innings to the Philadelphia Phillies on May 14 in a no-decision, Gibson blanked the Detroit Tigers for six innings on just three hits last Monday.
He struck out 10 batters and walked only one while re-establishing his array of fastballs in the 11-4 victory.
“I think I used them more early and I tried to put them in good spots and get back to my strengths with those pitches,” Gray said. “Getting back to my strengths with those [fastballs] allows me to get to the curveball, get to the sweeper and some of the other things I throw.
“Throwing my fastball in the right spots and with conviction — you do that enough and you can force the hitter’s hand to make a decision. But if you’re not putting them in the right spot, you’re not forcing their hand to make decisions as much.”
Gray will make his first start against the Diamondbacks since 2015, when he allowed four runs (two earned) in 6 1/3 innings of a 6-4 loss.
Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras missed his second straight game with back spasms Saturday, and Marmol was hopeful that he will return for the series finale.
The Diamondbacks will turn to right-hander Brandon Pfaadt (7-3, 3.81) as they try to snap a four-game losing streak.
Pfaadt has met the quality start metric six times this season, including his most recent outing — a 9-5 victory over the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Monday. He allowed three solo homers in that game, but just one other baserunner during his six innings.
“Were able to just attack the zone,” he said. “(Three) homers, but that’s OK, because we had the lead and we were just attacking guys.”
Pfaadt earned his second victory against the powerful Dodgers in a span of 11 days.
“It’s no easy task to pitch against that lineup twice,” Arizona pitching coach Brian Kaplan said. “I thought he competed really well. Obviously, ran out a little bit of steam there late, but threw the ball well, attacked the guys, mixed early, got some weak contact.
“Later on they start seeing, see him away a little bit, sitting soft, made some more contact, but he put together a quality start.”
Pfaadt is 0-0 with a 6.35 ERA in two career starts against the Cardinals.
–Field Level Media
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Report: North Carolina assistant coach suspended for allegedly giving a player’s family extra sideline passes
North Carolina assistant coach Armond Hawkins has reportedly been suspended after allegations of providing players with extra benefits became public on Monday.According to the Athletic, Hawkins has been suspended following the publication of a lengthy story about frustrations around Bill Belichick’s first year in charge of the North Carolina football program by WRAL. Per the Athletic's report, the suspension stems from allegedly giving a player's family sideline passes — a violation of NCAA rules and something mentioned in WRAL's story.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFrom WRAL:According to several sources, some Belichick-recruited transfers have preferential parking for themselves and their parents, as well as more tickets for games. Khmori House and Thaddeus Dixon played for Belichick's son, Steve Belichick, at the University of Washington. Their names come up repeatedly when talking to sources about preferential treatment. Dixon's family has field access on game days, something that […]
MLB playoffs 2025: Bryce Harper says he understands NLDS Game 2 boos from Phillies fans: ‘I boo myself when I get out’
Boos poured onto the diamond Monday in Philadelphia. The Phillies, who had lost four of their past five home playoff games dating to the 2023 postseason, were entering the ninth inning with a 4-1 deficit to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLDS.Closer Jhoan Durán was heading to the mound without a chance for a save for the second time in three days in front of a sea of red normally enthralled by his theatrical light-show entrance.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlthough the Phillies rallied in the bottom half of the frame, their comeback bid fell one run short, and they fell into an 0-2 hole against the Dodgers, with an elimination game in California looming.When asked Tuesday about the boos and if the the Philly crowd can work against the home team, star first baseman and two-time NL MVP Bryce Harper […]
Why Tim Ream, Haji Wright Are Role Models For U.S. World Cup Roster Hopefuls
<!--> [--> Doug McIntyre Soccer Journalist <!--> --> Haji Wright started two of the United States’ four games at the 2022 World Cup. He was one of just three American goalscorers in Qatar, joining star forward Christian Pulisic and veteran winger Tim Weah.Yet eight months before soccer’s last quadrennial showpiece, Wright’s odds of making the 26-man roster seemed long at best. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Getty Images) <!--> -->He hadn’t made a single appearance during World Cup qualifying. The journeyman pro, then 24, didn’t even have a senior international cap. Wright eventually made his debut in the penultimate camp before the final 26-man squad was named, then survived the final cull after a hot start to the season in the Turkish league.Wright’s story is instructive as he and 25 other 2026 World Cup hopefuls gather in Austin, Texas this week ahead […]
Derek Jeter is missing his parent teacher conference due to Tigers-Mariners rain delay 😂
Major League Baseball Video Details Derek Jeter got a call during the show after missing his kids' parent-teacher conference during the Detroit Tigers vs. Toronto Blue Jays rain delay. 47 MINS AGO・Major League Baseball・0:28
Aaron Judge or Cal Raleigh? MLB on FOX Crew Debate Who is the AL MVP
One is arguably the face of baseball with a Hall of Fame résumé. The other is MLB's breakout star with the best nickname in baseball. Yankees superstar Aaron Judge or Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh (aka the Big Dumper) are the clear-cut frontrunners for this year's American League MVP race. Who did the MLB on FOX analysts pick?Derek Jeter: Aaron Judge"[Raleigh] has had the more historic season when it comes to breaking records, whether it's the Mariners record, switch-hitter record, catchers' record. But in my opinion, the MVP is Aaron Judge. You take him off that team, they don't win."David Ortiz: Cal Raleigh"I love Aaron Judge, he's done an incredible job for the New York Yankees. But Raleigh doing it as a catcher is almost impossible. 159 games, you don't see many catchers doing that."Alex Rodriguez: Aaron Judge"Judge is the MVP once […]
NCAA adopts Jan. 2-16 transfer portal window and is set to tweak transfer window for players after coaching changes
As the NCAA makes changes to its transfer portal calendar, it’s also making tweaks to the timeframe players have to transfer after a coaching change.The NCAA announced Tuesday that it was set to shorten the transfer window after coaching changes from 30 to 15 days and also alter when that window takes place. Per the Division I Administrative Committee, the transfer portal would open after a school hires its next head coach.The NCAA also officially announced that it had approved the launch of a 15-day single transfer portal window to begin on Jan. 2. The single window replaces the two transfer portal opportunities players have had previously. Before the 2025 season, players had a chance to transfer at the end of the season and during the spring.Currently, players have 30 days to put their names in the transfer portal as […]
Related
Report: North Carolina assistant coach suspended for allegedly giving a player’s family extra sideline passes
North Carolina assistant coach Armond Hawkins has reportedly been suspended after allegations of providing players with extra benefits became public on Monday.According to the Athletic, Hawkins has been suspended following the publication of a lengthy story about frustrations around Bill Belichick’s first year in charge of the North Carolina football program by WRAL. Per the Athletic's report, the suspension stems from allegedly giving a player's family sideline passes — a violation of NCAA rules and something mentioned in WRAL's story.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFrom WRAL:According to several sources, some Belichick-recruited transfers have preferential parking for themselves and their parents, as well as more tickets for games. Khmori House and Thaddeus Dixon played for Belichick's son, Steve Belichick, at the University of Washington. Their names come up repeatedly when talking to sources about preferential treatment. Dixon's family has field access on game days, something that […]
MLB playoffs 2025: Bryce Harper says he understands NLDS Game 2 boos from Phillies fans: ‘I boo myself when I get out’
Boos poured onto the diamond Monday in Philadelphia. The Phillies, who had lost four of their past five home playoff games dating to the 2023 postseason, were entering the ninth inning with a 4-1 deficit to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLDS.Closer Jhoan Durán was heading to the mound without a chance for a save for the second time in three days in front of a sea of red normally enthralled by his theatrical light-show entrance.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlthough the Phillies rallied in the bottom half of the frame, their comeback bid fell one run short, and they fell into an 0-2 hole against the Dodgers, with an elimination game in California looming.When asked Tuesday about the boos and if the the Philly crowd can work against the home team, star first baseman and two-time NL MVP Bryce Harper […]
Why Tim Ream, Haji Wright Are Role Models For U.S. World Cup Roster Hopefuls
<!--> [--> Doug McIntyre Soccer Journalist <!--> --> Haji Wright started two of the United States’ four games at the 2022 World Cup. He was one of just three American goalscorers in Qatar, joining star forward Christian Pulisic and veteran winger Tim Weah.Yet eight months before soccer’s last quadrennial showpiece, Wright’s odds of making the 26-man roster seemed long at best. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Getty Images) <!--> -->He hadn’t made a single appearance during World Cup qualifying. The journeyman pro, then 24, didn’t even have a senior international cap. Wright eventually made his debut in the penultimate camp before the final 26-man squad was named, then survived the final cull after a hot start to the season in the Turkish league.Wright’s story is instructive as he and 25 other 2026 World Cup hopefuls gather in Austin, Texas this week ahead […]
Derek Jeter is missing his parent teacher conference due to Tigers-Mariners rain delay 😂
Major League Baseball Video Details Derek Jeter got a call during the show after missing his kids' parent-teacher conference during the Detroit Tigers vs. Toronto Blue Jays rain delay. 47 MINS AGO・Major League Baseball・0:28
Aaron Judge or Cal Raleigh? MLB on FOX Crew Debate Who is the AL MVP
One is arguably the face of baseball with a Hall of Fame résumé. The other is MLB's breakout star with the best nickname in baseball. Yankees superstar Aaron Judge or Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh (aka the Big Dumper) are the clear-cut frontrunners for this year's American League MVP race. Who did the MLB on FOX analysts pick?Derek Jeter: Aaron Judge"[Raleigh] has had the more historic season when it comes to breaking records, whether it's the Mariners record, switch-hitter record, catchers' record. But in my opinion, the MVP is Aaron Judge. You take him off that team, they don't win."David Ortiz: Cal Raleigh"I love Aaron Judge, he's done an incredible job for the New York Yankees. But Raleigh doing it as a catcher is almost impossible. 159 games, you don't see many catchers doing that."Alex Rodriguez: Aaron Judge"Judge is the MVP once […]
NCAA adopts Jan. 2-16 transfer portal window and is set to tweak transfer window for players after coaching changes
As the NCAA makes changes to its transfer portal calendar, it’s also making tweaks to the timeframe players have to transfer after a coaching change.The NCAA announced Tuesday that it was set to shorten the transfer window after coaching changes from 30 to 15 days and also alter when that window takes place. Per the Division I Administrative Committee, the transfer portal would open after a school hires its next head coach.The NCAA also officially announced that it had approved the launch of a 15-day single transfer portal window to begin on Jan. 2. The single window replaces the two transfer portal opportunities players have had previously. Before the 2025 season, players had a chance to transfer at the end of the season and during the spring.Currently, players have 30 days to put their names in the transfer portal as […]
Be the first to leave a comment