The St. Louis Cardinals continue their home stand on Monday when the Houston Astros head to Busch Stadium. The Cardinals are coming off a big series win against the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies that saw plenty of positives on both sides of the ball. The Astros have some momentum as well after winning two games against the Angels and averaged more than seven runs per game in that series.

The home stand sees the return of the 6:45pm start time and will end with a 12:15pm matinee before the Cardinals head to New York to take begin a six-game roadtrip. The Cardinals (7-8, 4th place in NL Central) look to keep their home record strong while the Astros (7-8, 4th place in AL West) try to win their second series of the year.

The Cardinals take on a lefty in Framber Valdez (1-1, 2.50 ERA) in game one, who has only faced St. Louis once in his career. Valdez is off to a good start this season, averaging six innings per start and striking out 21 through his first three games. Sonny Gray (2-0, 4.50 ERA) will oppose the Astros and look to build off a five inning start against the Pirates his last time out. Gray will be tasked with silencing a tough ‘Stros offense and hope to keep the ball in the ballpark for the first time this season.

Game two will feature Erick Fedde (1-1, 4.20 ERA) who is coming off a six-inning, no-hit performance against the Pirates in a great rebound from his tough start in Boston. While he walked four batters that game, he was able to keep the opposition off the board. The Astros will counter with Hunter Brown (1-1, 2.00 ERA). The righty has worked past his command issues from the spring and has only walked three batters in his first 18 innings.

In the final game before the Cardinals head east, they will send Andre Pallante (2-0, 2.20 ERA) to the bump. Pallante will look to build off a seven inning shutout of the Phillies from his last appearance that saw him allow four total baserunners. The Astros have yet to officially announce a starter for game three.

NOTES:

• Thomas Saggese is expected to split time with Brendan Donovan at shortstop while Masyn Winn is on the IL. Nolan Gorman will find time at second base.
• Willson Contreras is on a three-game hitting streak with a homer and a double.
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