The Cardinals continue a home series Saturday against the Guardians. First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m.
St. Louis dropped Friday's opener as Cleveland inched closer to clinching the American League Central title.
Right-hander Miles Mikolas (8-11, 5.49) will take the mound for the Cardinals.
Just one of his past eight starts has been quality.
Mikolas is tallying career worsts in ERA, home runs per nine innings pitched and opponents' batting average while also being on pace to throw fewer innings than any season in his Cardinals tenure with the exception of his injury impacted 2021.
The Guardians will counter with left-hander Matthew Boyd (2-1, 2.52), signed in late June as he continued a long rehab from Tommy John surgery.
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He made his debut Aug. 13 and is coming off his shortest start, when he allowed three runs, two of them earned in 2 2/3 innings vs. Minnesota.
Before the game, the Cardinals placed pitcher Sonny Gray on the injured list with right forearm flexor tendinitis and recalled Kyle Leahy.
The Cardinals are 77-77, third in the NL Central. The team was officially eliminated from postseason contention on Friday night.
The Guardians are 90-65, first in the AL Central. Cleveland's magic number for a division title is one. A Royals loss Saturday afternoon or a Guardians win Saturday night clinches it.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Masyn Winn, SS
2. Luken Baker, DH
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Iván Herrera, C
6. Brendan Donovan, LF
7. Jordan Walker, RF
8. Thomas Saggese, 2B
9. Michael Siani, CF
P: Miles Mikolas, RHP
GUARDIANS
1. Angel Martínez, LF
2. Kyle Manzardo, DH
3. José Ramírez, 3B
4. Josh Naylor, 1B
5. Lane Thomas, CF
6. Andrés Giménez, 2B
7. Jhonkensy Noel, RF
8. Bo Naylor, C
9. Brayan Rocchio, SS
P: Matthew Boyd, LHP
Injury report
Willson Contreras (fractured finger):ճ catcher fractured the middle finger on his right hand when struck by a pitch Aug. 24, and his season is effectively over following an exam Monday with team medical officials. He was prescribed another two weeks of inactivity to continue the healing process, and that assures he will not be able to play during the regular season, which ends when September does. Updated Sept. 17
Lance Lynn (right knee inflammation):ճ veteran's season came to an end Wednesday, a day after he pitched six strong innings to pick up a win over Pittsburgh and remain unbeaten at Busch since July 2017. His contract has a $12-million option for 2025, though factors are stacking up that would lead the Cardinals to decline it. Updated Sept. 18
Sonny Gray (right forearm flexor tendinitis): Gray was placed on the IL Saturday, the morning after the Cardinals were officially eliminated from the playoffs, ending his first season with the team with eight games remaining. The move is retroactive to Thursday. Updated Sept. 21