Sunshine or Storms: Dodgers and Cardinals Wait for the Green Light
The Rain Delay Hangs Over the Dodgers-Cardinals Showdown
The Los Angeles Dodgers were set to embark on a pivotal six-game road trip against the St. Louis Cardinals, but Mother Nature had other plans. As rain threatens to delay the series opener at Busch Stadium, fans from both sides are left wondering if this matchup will ever materialize.
A Delicate Balance for the Dodgers
Entering this road series, the Dodgers are leading the National League West by a narrow margin, with little room for error. Every inning, every hit, and every pitch matters in their quest to maintain their division lead. The Cardinals, on the other hand, are looking to disrupt their rivals’ rhythm, making this matchup an intriguing one.
Sonny Gray, the veteran right-hander taking the mound for St. Louis, has been mostly solid this season, boasting a 6-1 record and 3.65 ERA. While he’s struggled with home runs lately, Gray has found his footing recently, posting a sharp 2.08 ERA across his last two starts. The question on everyone’s mind is whether he can navigate the daunting task of facing the Dodgers’ powerful lineup, which includes sluggers like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts.
A Rookie’s Big Test
For the Dodgers, left-hander Justin Wrobleski will face his biggest test yet. A rookie in the majors, Wrobleski has struggled to find his groove, boasting an 8.00 ERA across his first two games. Despite this, he may have a favorable matchup against the Cardinals, who have had struggles against southpaws this season.
The Dodgers’ lineup will also undergo some tweaks, with Will Smith getting a rest day behind the plate and Hyeseong Kim missing due to a foot injury. Manager Dave Roberts has assured that an IL stint isn’t required for either player. Instead, rookie Dalton Rushing will catch behind Wrobleski, making this a pivotal performance for both the Dodgers and their young catcher.
The Emotional Weight of This Night
The night’s matchup carries emotional weight, as Tommy Edman returns to Busch Stadium for the first time since last season’s blockbuster trade. The 2023 NLCS MVP, now wearing Dodger blue, didn’t play for the Cardinals in 2024 due to a wrist injury, making this his first appearance in St. Louis in over a year.
As the rain delay hangs over the game, one question remains: Will the Dodgers be able to navigate their way past Gray and the Cardinals, or will Mother Nature prove to be too much to overcome? Only time will tell if this matchup will ever come to fruition.