Cardinals seek to reignite playoff hopes with Arenado’s potential return against Brewers
The St. Louis Cardinals encountered a setback this week, suffering a disappointing series sweep against the Seattle Mariners. This unexpected turn has cast a shadow over their recent promising momentum as they prepare to face the Milwaukee Brewers, the frontrunners in Major League Baseball. With the regular season winding down, the National League Wild Card race is intensifying, and the Cardinals find themselves in a precarious position, trailing four games behind the New York Mets for the final playoff spot.
Arenado’s potential return adds to the excitement
As the Cardinals gear up for this crucial divisional clash, all eyes are on third baseman Nolan Arenado. The team is optimistic that the veteran Gold Glove winner will be back in action shortly, which could be vital for revitalizing their playoff aspirations.
Manager Oli Marmol provided an encouraging update on Arenado’s status ahead of the series opener against the Brewers. “Nolan is scheduled to play the field tonight and Saturday for Double-A Springfield and then he will be evaluated to see if he’s ready to return to the St. Louis Cardinals, potentially on Monday,” Marmol shared, according to reports from MLB.com.
Arenado’s struggles and injury woes
Arenado, 34, has faced a challenging season, marked by struggles at the plate prior to his right shoulder strain that sidelined him on August 1. This year has been particularly tough for the usually prolific slugger, as he is experiencing career lows in several key batting metrics: a .235 average, a .294 on-base percentage, a .366 slugging percentage, a .660 OPS, and a WAR of just 1.0. Despite these difficulties, he has managed to hit 10 home runs and drive in 43 runs.
As the Cardinals aim to regain their footing in the playoff race, Arenado’s return could provide the spark they need to reignite their season. With the Brewers standing in their way, the stakes could not be higher for this pivotal matchup.
