{"id":61268,"date":"2023-08-26T12:43:04","date_gmt":"2023-08-26T16:43:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=61268"},"modified":"2023-08-26T12:43:04","modified_gmt":"2023-08-26T16:43:04","slug":"phillies-vs-cardinals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/08\/26\/phillies-vs-cardinals\/","title":{"rendered":"Phillies vs. Cardinals: Harper and Arenado Face Off in Exciting Matchup"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"css-92ucc9\">\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/08\/18\/the-phillies-best-lineup\/\" target=\"_self\">Philadelphia Phillies<\/a> (70-58) will take on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/06\/14\/cardinals-prospects-that-could-contribute-now\/\" target=\"_self\">St. Louis Cardinals<\/a> (56-73) in an intriguing clash at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies, currently fourth in the National League standings and second in the NL East division, have been performing well lately with a 5-5 record in their last 10 games. Led by starting pitcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wheelza01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zack Wheeler<\/a>, who holds a 9-6 record with a 3.69 ERA, the Phillies will look to extend their winning streak to two games.<\/p>\n<pre><code>[pickup_prop id=\"34543\"]<\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-92ucc9\">\n<p>On the other side, the Cardinals have struggled this season, currently sitting at 14th in the NL standings and 5th in the NL Central division. With a 3-7 record in their last 10 games, the Cardinals will rely on starting pitcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hudsoda02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dakota Hudson<\/a>, who boasts an impressive 5-0 record and a 3.94 ERA. However, the team will need to find solutions to the recent struggles of right-hander <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mikolmi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Miles Mikolas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-92ucc9\">\n<p>The game will be played on Saturday, August 26th at 7:15 PM ET, and will be broadcast on FOX.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-92ucc9\">\n<h2>Relentless Lineup Battles and Inconsistent Pitching: What to Watch For<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-92ucc9\">\n<ul>\n<li>Keep an eye on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/harpebr03.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bryce Harper<\/a>, the Phillies&#8217; standout first baseman, who leads the team in batting average with an impressive .301. He will be a key contributor to the offense.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-92ucc9\">\n<ul>\n<li>Don&#8217;t miss <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/arenano01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nolan Arenado<\/a>, the Cardinals&#8217; third baseman with a batting average of .281. He leads the team in home runs, with 26, and runs batted in, with 87.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-92ucc9\">\n<ul>\n<li>Look out for the Phillies&#8217; bottom of the lineup, which has been on fire recently. From <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bohmal01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alec Bohm<\/a>&#8216;s career-high 14th homer to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/stubbga01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Garrett Stubbs<\/a>&#8216; clutch plays, the Phillies&#8217; depth will be a significant advantage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-92ucc9\">\n<ul>\n<li>Keep an eye on the Cardinals&#8217; pitching staff, particularly Miles Mikolas, as he searches for consistency on the mound. It will be interesting to see if he can make adjustments and bounce back.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-92ucc9\">\n<h2>Injuries<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-92ucc9\">\n<p>Phillies:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/pachecr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cristian Pache<\/a> (LF, Elbow, D10), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hoskirh01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rhys Hoskins<\/a> (1B, ACL, D60), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/suarera01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ranger Su\u00e1rez<\/a> (SP, Hamstring, D15)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-92ucc9\">\n<p>Cardinals:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/helslry01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Helsley<\/a> (RP, Forearm, D60), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/naughpa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Packy Naughton<\/a> (RP, Forearm, D60), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/donovbr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brendan Donovan<\/a> (2B, Elbow, D10), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/liberma01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matthew Liberatore<\/a> (SP, Back, D15), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/woodfja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Woodford<\/a> (SP, Shoulder, D15), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/matzst01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steven Matz<\/a> (SP, Lat, D15), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rodriwi02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wilking Rodr\u00edguez<\/a> (RP, Shoulder, D60), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/nootbla01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lars Nootbaar<\/a> (CF, Lower Abdomen, D10), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/carlsdy01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dylan Carlson<\/a> (CF, Oblique, D10)<\/p>\n<p>Photo Credit: \u00a9 Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Philadelphia Phillies (70-58) will take on the St. Louis Cardinals (56-73) in an intriguing clash at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies, currently fourth in the National League standings and second in the NL East division, have been performing well lately with a 5-5 record in their last 10 games. Led by starting pitcher Zack [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3686,"featured_media":61269,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23,1071,25],"tags":[2606,1800,683],"class_list":["post-61268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-phillies","category-mlb","category-cardinals","tag-dakota-hudson","tag-miles-mikolas","tag-zack-wheeler"],"modified_by":"Matt Graves","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3686"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61268"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61268\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}