Cardinals Struggle in Loss to Pirates Amid Injuries

The St. Louis Cardinals, after a promising 3-0 start to the season, have now lost six of their last seven games and are looking to break a four-game road skid as they face the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cardinals' starter, Matthew Liberatore, allowed five runs in the series opener, continuing the team's struggles with a combined starters' ERA of 6.52. The Pirates, led by standout rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, have won 16 of the 25 games he has started. Despite offensive efforts, including Yohel Pozo's first home run and Brendan Donovan's consistent hitting, the Cardinals fell short in their first National League Central division matchup. Injuries add to their challenges, with key players Ivan Herrera and Nolan Gorman placed on the injured list. The Cardinals are in a transition phase, with discussions on team identity and marketing strategies to engage fans and drive future success.