������Ƶ

Gray starts Tuesday for the Cardinals vs. the Marlins in a 6:45 p.m. first pitch at Busch Stadium, the second of a three-game series.

In Monday's opener, the Cardinals won 7-1 behind Andre Pallante's seven scoreless innings.

For Tuesday's starter, the right-hander Sonny Gray (10-4, 4.33 ERA), his problems have been relatively short-lived so far. With 14 earned runs allowed in his past two starts, it's just the second time in his 13 big-league seasons allowing six or more earned runs in two straight starts.

Opponents have been peppering Gray with hits to the tune of a .468 batting average against in those two starts.

His fastballs have been particularly troublesome. Foes are hitting .571 against them in his last two starts, continuing a seasonlong trend. In nine of his 21 starts this season, he has permitted a .400-plus batting average against his fastballs.

Gray has been throwing his fastballs 52.9% of the time, his lowest rate since 2019.

For the season, Gray has permitted six or more earned runs four times, the second-most over a full season in his career.

Gray's issues have been part of a staff-wide downturn. Since June 30, Cardinals starters have a 7.05 ERA. That tide may be turning however. Redbirds starters have allowed one or fewer earned runs in three of the past four games capped by Pallante's strong effort Monday.

For the Marlins, right-hander and former Cardinal Sandy Alcantara (5-9, 6.66 ERA) will take the hill. After missing the entirety of 2024 as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, Alcantara has struggled to return to form, putting up an ERA that would be by far his worst in his career.

His last outing, however, was his best of the season: seven innings and no earned runs vs. the Padres.

Alcantara is among several players about whom the , according to reports. Though his struggles may make a trade less likely.

The Cardinals are 55-53, 3 1/2 games behind the Padres for the final wild-card spot.

The Marlins are 50-55 and have won four straight series entering this one.

How to watch Cardinals vs. Marlins

When: 6:45 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Busch Stadium in St. Louis

TV/radio: FanDuel ������Ƶ Network Midwest (); KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the as well as .

Your options to watch: Input your ZIP code and see your choices for watching Cardinals games.

Lineups

CARDINALS

1. Masyn Winn, SS

2. Iván Herrera, DH

3. Alec Burleson, LF

4. Willson Contreras, 1B

5. Nolan Arenado, 3B

6. Jordan Walker, RF

7. Thomas Saggese, 2B

8. Pedro Pagés, C

9. Victor Scott II, CF

P: Sonny Gray, RHP

MARLINS

1. Xavier Edwards, 2B

2. Jesús Sánchez, RF

3. Agustín Ramírez, DH

4. Kyle Stowers, LF

5. Otto Lopez, SS

6. Liam Hicks, C

7. Troy Johnston, 1B

8. Javier Sanoja, CF

9. Graham Pauley, 3B

P: Sandy Alcantara, RHP

Injury report

Lars Nootbaar, OF (left costochondral sprain): Nootbaar went through pregame workouts with the Cardinals on Tuesday before heading to Springfield, Missouri, to begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday with the Cardinals’ Class AA affiliate. Updated July 29

Nolan Gorman, 2B/3B (back tightness): Gorman, after serving as designated hitter for Class AA Springfield (Missouri) on Tuesday to begin his rehab assignment, is expected to make a rehab start at second base for Springfield on Wednesday. This is a recurring injury for the young infielder, who also dealt with back soreness in previous seasons. Updated July 29

Zack Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain): Lefty starter could begin a throwing program next week, Marmol said. Thompson has been sidelined since the start of March and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in early April. There is no timetable for his return to the mound. Updated July 24