The Cardinals begin a six-game homestand Friday with the first of three against the woeful White Sox. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m.
Chicago has the worst winning percentage (.194), the fewest wins (six) and the worst run differential in baseball (minus-84).
The game matches two of baseball's worst offenses. Both have the fewest runs in their respective league and the second-lowest batting average. The Cardinals have 21 homers, last in baseball, while the White Sox rank one spot better with 22.
Right-hander Sonny Gray (3-1, 1.16) will take the mound in the opener for the Cardinals. With the exception of his pitch-limited first outing, all of his four Cardinal starts have been quality. Last time out, he allowed his first homer of the season. Four runs scored against him in that game, but only one was earned.
Curiously, batters are hitting .400-plus vs. two of his most-thrown pitches, the four-seamer and the cutter.
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The White Sox will counter with right-hander Brad Keller (0-0, 0.00), a 28-year-old who spent his entire career in Kansas City before signing a minor league deal with Chicago in the offseason.
He was called up from Triple-A on Sunday. Last season, his groundball rate was in the top 5% of the league.
Chicago's starting pitchers have a collective ERA of 5.46, worst in the American League.
Earlier Friday, the Cardinals placed Steven Matz on the 15-day injured list with back soreness. They recalled right-handed reliever Kyle Leahy in a corresponding roster move.
The Cardinals are 14-17, fourth in the NL Central. They've scored two or fewer runs in three of four.
The White Sox are 6-25, last in the AL Central. They've lost three straight.
Several former Cardinals are included on the White Sox roster: pitchers John Brebbia and Dominic Leone, shortstop Paul DeJong and outfielder Tommy Pham.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Brendan Donovan, LF
2. Willson Contreras, C
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Alec Burleson, DH
6. Masyn Winn, SS
7. Lars Nootbaar, RF
8. Nolan Gorman, 2B
9. Michael Siani, CF
P: Sonny Gray, RHP
WHITE SOX
1. Nicky Lopez, 2B
2. Tommy Pham, CF
3. Eloy Jiménez, DH
4. Gavin Sheets, RF
5. Andrew Vaughn, 1B
6. Andrew Benintendi, LF
7. Danny Mendick, 3B
8. Paul DeJong, SS
9. Martín Maldonado, C
P: Brad Keller, RHP
Injury report
Steven Matz (lower back stiffness): The lefty went on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a lower back injury. Matz began experiencing soreness following his start this past week, and during his start Tuesday he had a sag in velocity and effectiveness. Manager Oliver Marmol indicated the team thought it would be a shorter IL stint. Updated May 3
Tommy Edman (wrist surgery): On the 10-day IL, Edman took swings off a tee from both sides of the plate last week. He had been limited to hitting only from the right side, but recently advanced without any soreness. His hitting progression will be per usual (coach pitch, then a pitching machine) as tolerated. Updated April 29
Matt Carpenter (oblique strain): Headed for a rehab assignment Thursday with Class AA Springfield in Tulsa. He will play first base and designated hitter in an attempt to build up at-bats over the weekend before returning to bench role in the majors. Placed on the 10-day injured list, backdated to April 2 after feeling discomfort in his torso pregame. Updated May 1
Riley O'Brien (flexor tendon): Placed on the 15-day injured list on March 31 retroactive to March 29, O'Brien's right arm tightened up after his opening day appearance. The initial diagnosis is strain of the flexor tendon; scans showed no structural damage. He began his throwing progression April 23. Updated April 29
Dylan Carlson (sprained shoulder): Began a rehab assignment on Tuesday in Charlotte with Class AAA Memphis. He has advanced from designated hitter to full games in center field. He'll be evaluated for a return to the majors during this home stand. At some point, his return will be a baseball decision not a health decision. Updated May 3
Keynan Middleton (forearm strain): On the 15-day IL, Middleton will throw off a mound in the coming days and could throw his first bullpen session since injury later in the week. Updated April 29
Drew Rom (biceps tendinitis): He was scheduled to seek an additional opinion with an in-person visit Tuesday to determine what could be the reason behind his stalled recovery from an injury that took place late in spring training and has stopped the lefty from throwing since then. Updated April 29
