None of that stopped Colorado from hanging 8 runs on the Cardinals two days ago, a reminder that even a last-place team can scorch a bad bullpen night. St. Louis is favored here, comfortably, but this series has already shown neither of these clubs is beating the other easily.
The Rockies arrive at 46-71, buried in the NL West and picking through a rotation that's basically been gutted — Quintana, Dollander and Brown all out long-term, and reliever Jaden Hill still working back from a shoulder issue. Kris Bryant remains sidelined too, still dealing with back pain that's kept him off the field for months. Colorado's lone bright spot Saturday was Jake McCarthy, who went deep twice in an 8-6 win that snapped a four-game skid.
St. Louis has its own bumps and bruises — third baseman Ramon Urias and reliever Max Rajcic are both out for the year — but the Cardinals are 58-59 and still fighting to climb over .500, a much healthier spot than the one Colorado's in. Winning 2 of 3 from the Yankees last series showed this offense can do damage against good pitching; doing it against Lorenzen should be a lower bar.
It's a Sunday getaway game with modest stakes beyond the standings, but the pitching mismatch is real, and if McGreevy gives St. Louis length, this is the kind of game the Cardinals should be taking care of at home.