Sonny Gray, the right-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, has had a bit of a rough month in July, with a 6.75 ERA in four starts. Despite this, Gray remains confident that he can turn things around and get back to his winning ways. He acknowledges that he needs to put in the effort and energy to improve his performance on the mound.
Heading into the series opener against the Chicago Cubs, Gray has a career record of 5-4 with a 2.86 ERA against the team but has struggled in games played at Wrigley Field. The Cardinals, currently in second place in the National League Central, are looking to continue their winning streak after a solid performance by rookie pitcher Michael McGreevy in their recent game against the Texas Rangers.
On the Cubs’ side, rookie left-hander Shota Imanaga will be taking the mound against the Cardinals. Imanaga previously faced the Cardinals in June and put up an impressive performance, allowing only one run over seven innings. The Cubs, sitting 10 games behind the division leaders, are relying on their strong offense led by players like Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger, and Isaac Paredes to secure wins and gain momentum as they face off against the Cardinals.
After a successful game against the Reds where they scored a season-high of 13 runs and 17 hits, the Cubs are feeling positive heading into the series. Manager Craig Counsell praised the team’s offensive performance and highlighted the importance of carrying that momentum into the upcoming games.
As both teams gear up for the series, fans can expect an exciting matchup between the Cardinals and the Cubs as they battle it out on the field. With Gray looking to bounce back from a rough month and the Cubs aiming to continue their offensive prowess, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown between these division rivals.