/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74109116/usa_today_26291222.0.jpg)
Cardinals Look to Finish May Strong Against Struggling Rangers
As the calendar flips toward June, the St. Louis Cardinals hit the road one last time this month, facing the Texas Rangers in a three-game set from May 30 through June 1. Riding high after a solid series win in Baltimore, the Cardinals have gone an impressive 18-7 in May and are showing the kind of form that has fans cautiously optimistic. Now standing at 32-24, they’ve positioned themselves as legitimate contenders, and the goal for this series is simple—finish the month with a statement.
The Rangers, meanwhile, are facing the opposite trajectory. Once a feared club, they’ve now dropped 8 of their last 10 and sit at 27-30, mired in inconsistency and struggling to generate offense. Injuries and regression have taken a toll. They were just shut out by a Blue Jays bullpen game—managing only a single hit. That kind of performance tells you a lot.
Let’s talk about the matchups. On the mound Friday, it’s Matthew Liberatore for the Cardinals and likely Jack Leiter for Texas. Liberatore has emerged as a real asset in the rotation—he’s got a 2.73 ERA over his first 10 starts and has been especially sharp in recent outings. Leiter, a former first-round pick, has yet to put it together at this level. His elevated walk rate and inability to consistently miss bats could be a big opportunity for the Cards’ offense.
Also Read:- Mumbai Indians Shine in High-Octane IPL 2025 Eliminator Against Gujarat Titans
- Despotism vs Capitalism: Inter and PSG Clash On and Off the Pitch
Saturday brings a potential matchup between veteran Patrick Corbin and Sonny Gray. Corbin’s numbers suggest he’s been lucky to avoid more damage—his 3.75 ERA is hiding a 5.00 FIP. If the Cardinals stay patient, they should find opportunities. Sunday wraps up with a likely showdown between Jacob DeGrom and Erick Fedde. DeGrom, even at 36, still has nasty stuff, but he’s not the overwhelming force he once was. Still, you don’t sleep on a guy with a 27% strikeout rate.
Offensively, the Cardinals are starting to find rhythm. Masyn Winn has caught fire—since moving into the 2-hole, he’s hitting over .320 and just had a four-hit game. Brendan Donovan is also raking, with a .471 average over his last five. Add in contributions from Nootbaar, Arenado, and the rest, and this lineup has become quietly dangerous. The bullpen, helped by a timely off-day, is rested and ready.
The Rangers, on the other hand, have good pitching and solid defense, but just can’t score. They’re 24th in wRC+, and outside of Seager, Langford, and Smith, the rest of the lineup has been flat. They remind me a lot of the Cardinals last year—big names, but little production.
The venue, Globe Life Field, plays pretty neutral but does favor home runs slightly. That could benefit the Cardinals, who have been swinging with more authority lately.
Bottom line? This series is a chance for St. Louis to keep pushing forward, build momentum, and pad their win column against a team that’s clearly struggling. The pitching matchups mostly lean in their favor, and if the offense stays hot, especially against Texas’ shaky back-end starters, they could take two out of three—or even sweep. One game at a time, but May might just end with a bang.
Read More:
0 Comments