Phillies at Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals learned for sure on Monday that ace Adam Wainwright would miss the rest of the season with an Achilles injury. The Cardinals will try to bounce back from that blow and even the series when they host the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.
Wainwright suffered the injury coming out of the batter’s box, bringing on a new round of questions about whether the National League should adopt the designated hitter and calling into question the depth of St. Louis’ staff. "It's not good news today, but it's not the end of the world either," general manager John Mozeliak told reporters. “These guys know they can go out and compete, and they're looking forward to that challenge.” Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is familiar with the rehab associated with an Achilles tear and slugged a pair of home runs while driving in five runs over the weekend. Howard managed a single in Monday’s series opener as Carlos Ruiz notched four hits and scored twice to lead Philadelphia to a 4-1 win.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Severino Gonzalez (NA) vs. Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (3-0, 1.33 ERA)
Gonzalez is getting the call to make his major league debut after going 1-1 with a 3.57 ERA in three starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The Panama native issued only two walks in those three turns and has been stingy with the free passes in his minor league career. Gonzalez’s 34 walks in 158 1/3 innings last season marked a career high.
Wacha maintaining his health and effectiveness will help ease the loss of Wainwright, and the Texas A&M product has been shape so far. Wacha pitched into the seventh inning in each of his first three turns and has yet to allow more than one run. He struck out a season-high six over seven innings at Washington on Thursday to pick up a win.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cardinals RF Jason Heyward (hamstring) was limited to pinch hitting in the opener but is expected to start on Tuesday.
2. Phillies RHP Ken Giles has not allowed a hit in any of his last three appearances and has yet to surrender an earned run this season.
3. St. Louis 3B Matt Carpenter has recorded multiple hits in 11 of the last 14 games.