After Saturday's rainout, the Cardinals will play two games Sunday in Boston vs. the Red Sox.
The first game of the split doubleheader starts at 12:35 p.m. (أغر؟´«أ½ time) and airs on FanDuel Sports Midwest. The second is at 6:10 p.m. and airs on ESPN.
Entering Sunday, the Cardinals are 4-3 while the Red Sox are 4-4.
For the two games Sunday, below are two keys, one for each game.
Cardinals must mash another lefty
Last season, the Cardinals' offense ranked 22nd in baseball in on-base plus slugging percentage vs. left-handers. That inability to hit vs. lefties played a big part in the Redbirds' offensive struggles.
Things have been different this year, in a small sample size. The Cardinals face a lefty starter for the third time this season when they go up against Boston's Sean Newcomb (0-1, 9.00) in Sunday's early game.
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So far in 2025, the Cardinals have excelled vs. lefties. Despite only facing left-handed pitching for 10 innings, the Cardinals have hit five of their 13 homers against lefties and rank fourth in baseball in OPS vs. left-handers.
Only two teams have hit more homers vs. left-handers this year.
Ivan Hererra, with a 2.056 OPS vs. lefties, leads the way. Nolan Arenado, Luken Baker, Lars Nootbaar and Victor Scott all have recorded an early OPS north of 1.000 vs. left-handers. All are in the lineup in the opener.
The Cardinals will counter with right-hander Andre Pallante (1-0, 3.60).
The continued effectiveness of Miles Mikolas' new approach
Right-hander Miles Mikolas (0-0, 3.38) starts for the Cardinals in the night game, which begins at 6:10 p.m. (أغر؟´«أ½ time) and airs on ESPN.
Through the incredibly small sample size of one start, Mikolas' plan to throw fewer strikes is going well. He allowed two hits and two runs in 5 1/3 innings vs. the Angels in his debut.
Just 51.2% of his pitches were strikes, which would be his lowest number for a full season as a Cardinal. He's usually close to 60%.
His hard-hit percentage in that game (20%) is half what he allowed last season.
Mikolas faces a much tougher test Sunday vs. a Red Sox lineup than ranks in the top third of the American League in on-base plus slugging percentage and in a ballpark that's one of baseball's most hitter friendly.
Before the game, the Cardinals called up pitcher Gordon Graceffo to serve as the permitted 27th man for the doubleheader. He will be eligible for both games. The home team chooses if the 27th player is available for one or both of the games, and there can be a strategy element to that decision.
The Red Sox called up right-hander Hunter Dobbins from Triple-A and named him their starter for the nightcap in what will be his big-league debut.
Game 1 lineups
CARDINALS
1. Lars Nootbaar, LF
2. Ivأ،n Herrera, C
3. Willson Contreras, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Luken Baker, DH
6. Jordan Walker, RF
7. Thomas Saggese, 2B
8. Victor Scott II, CF
9. Masyn Winn, SS
P: Andre Pallante, RHP
RED SOX
1. Jarren Duran, LF
2. Rafael Devers, DH
3. Alex Bregman, 3B
4. Triston Casas, 1B
5. Trevor Story, SS
6. Rob Refsnyder, RF
7. Kristian Campbell, CF
8. David Hamilton, 2B
9. Connor Wong, C
P: Sean Newcomb, LHP
Game 2 lineups
CARDINALS
1. Lars Nootbaar, LF
2. Willson Contreras, DH
3. Brendan Donovan, 2B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Alec Burleson, 1B
6. Jordan Walker, RF
7. Pedro Pagأ©s, C
8. Victor Scott II, CF
9. Masyn Winn, SS
P: Miles Mikolas, RHP
RED SOX
1. Jarren Duran, LF
2. Rafael Devers, DH
3. Alex Bregman, 3B
4. Wilyer Abreu, RF
5. Trevor Story, SS
6. Kristian Campbell, 2B
7. Romy Gonzalez, 1B
8. Carlos Narvأ،ez, C
9. Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
P: Hunter Dobbins, RHP
Injury report
Nolan Gorman, INF (hamstring strain): Before the start of the weekend series at Fenway Park, the Cardinals placed Gorman on the 10-day injured list due to hamstring pain. The injury happened Tuesday in the 10th inning, and his stint on the IL begins Wednesday. The Cardinals expect him to require five to 10 days to recover, and Gorman has already been cleared for activities such as throwing and hitting. To take his place on the active roster the Cardinals promoted Thomas Saggese. Updated April 4
Zack Thompson, LHP (lat strain): Remained in Jupiter, Florida, to begin a throwing program after a month of limited activity and no throwing. Thompson went through multiple checkups and scans to monitor the healing of a tear in his lat on the left side, and they did not show any setback to delayed Thompson's scheduled move to the injured list. Updated March 29
