D-backs Gear Up for Crucial Series Against Cardinals

The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to take on the St. Louis Cardinals in a pivotal series that could significantly impact their playoff aspirations. Currently, the Cardinals hold a slim lead of one and a half games over the D-backs, making this matchup crucial for Arizona as they aim to overtake their rivals in the standings.

In recent roster news, the Diamondbacks have placed outfielder Tommy Troy on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained right AC joint, retroactive to July 12. This leaves the team with a 39-man roster as they prepare for the upcoming games against the Cardinals.

Merrill Kelly is slated to start for the D-backs in the first game of the series. After a challenging June where he struggled with a 0-5 record, Kelly has shown signs of improvement, securing back-to-back victories in July. His strikeout rate has notably increased, with 12 strikeouts in just 12 innings this month, compared to only 14 in 28.1 innings last month. This upward trend provides hope for the Diamondbacks as they look to solidify their rotation amid ongoing injury concerns.

The Diamondbacks previously faced the Cardinals in St. Louis, winning two out of three games in a tightly contested series. A sweep in this upcoming series would not only propel Arizona past St. Louis in the standings but also clinch the season series between the two teams. With the season entering its final stretch, every game becomes increasingly important as the D-backs strive for a postseason berth.