The St. Louis Cardinals travel to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers on Tuesday, September 1, with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 PM ET at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium. Right-hander Michael McGreevy gets the ball for St. Louis against lefty Eric Lauer. With September here and rosters expanded, every game in this final month carries real weight in the standings. This is a road test against one of the National League's marquee franchises, and how the Cardinals handle it will say something about where this club stands heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
Starting Pitchers: Michael McGreevy vs. Eric Lauer
McGreevy draws a tough assignment stepping into Dodger Stadium. The young right-hander has been part of St. Louis's pitching rotation as the Cardinals navigate a demanding late-season schedule, and this start against Los Angeles is among the stiffer challenges on his ledger. He'll need to command his pitches and work efficiently to keep the Cardinals in the game against a Dodgers lineup capable of doing damage in bunches.
On the other side, Eric Lauer takes the hill for Los Angeles. The left-hander gives the Dodgers a southpaw option against a Cardinals lineup that will need to make adjustments. St. Louis hitters will want to stay disciplined against Lauer's offerings and look for opportunities to work deep counts and get into the bullpen.
Keys to Watch for the Cardinals
- McGreevy's command early: Dodger Stadium crowds can get loud quickly if the home team gets going. McGreevy needs to minimize traffic on the bases in the first three innings and avoid the big inning that can put the Cardinals in a hole before they get going offensively.
- Handling a left-handed starter: The Cardinals' lineup construction against Lauer matters. St. Louis will want right-handed bats in favorable counts to drive the ball and put pressure on the Dodgers defense.
- Bullpen management: A 10:10 PM ET start on the West Coast is a late game. If McGreevy gives the Cardinals five or six quality innings, the bullpen depth becomes a factor. Manager Oli Marmol will need to be sharp with his matchups late in this one.
- September roster moves: With expanded rosters now active, both clubs have more options available. How each manager deploys those extra arms could swing the outcome in the later innings.
Cardinals at Dodger Stadium: The Bigger Picture
Road games in Los Angeles are never easy. UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium is a hitter-friendly environment with a passionate fanbase that shows up even late on a Tuesday night. The Cardinals need to come out focused and take care of business on the defensive side of the ball to give McGreevy a chance to compete deep into the game.
St. Louis has shown this season it can win away from Busch Stadium when the pitching holds up. The question Tuesday night is whether McGreevy can deliver one of those performances and give the offense enough runway to scratch out runs against a quality Dodgers club.
Prediction
This is a coin-flip game on paper with two starters for whom full statistical context isn't available heading into Tuesday. The edge goes to the Dodgers at home, but the Cardinals are fully capable of stealing this one if McGreevy is dialed in. Call it a 4-3 Dodgers win in a competitive, well-pitched game — but don't be surprised if St. Louis finds a way to make it interesting in the late innings.
Watch: SportsNet LA (Dodgers market) or Cardinals.TV Presented by bet365. Listen: KMOX 1120 AM / 104.1 FM for Cardinals radio coverage.
