Rejuvenated pitchers for D-backs, Cards to engage in desert duel

Two pitchers who have made vast improvements after subpar showings in 2025 will take the mound when the St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks meet in the rubber game of their weekend series on Sunday in Phoenix.

St. Louis won the opener on Friday 5-4. Arizona responded with a 5-3 victory on Saturday.

The Cardinals will send right-hander Andre Pallante (10-6, 3.96 ERA) against left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (8-3, 2.29).

Pallante was 6-15 with a 5.31 ERA last season. His double-digit wins in 2026 are a career high.

"I think this is a reminder, for all of us, the importance of giving people a chance," St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said. "You think, a year ago, two years ago, we sat in this room and there were plenty of nights where it was ‘Is this his (Pallante's) last start?'

"You give him an opportunity to show what he's capable of doing, but also enough opportunity to allow him to grow. Now we're seeing a guy that goes out there and does a really nice job every outing. None of that is possible unless you give him that opportunity."

After those nice words from Marmol, Pallante's most recent start was one of his worst of the season. On July 9, Pallante surrendered six runs on eight hits in five innings in an 8-4 loss to the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. He walked two and struck out two.

He's 2-1 with a 4.66 ERA in nine career appearances (two starts) against the Diamondbacks. The most recent outing was June 22, when he earned a 4-2 win in St. Louis. He held Arizona to one run on six hits in six innings and struck out two.

His counterpart, Rodriguez, was 9-9 with a 5.02 ERA in 2025. This summer, he made his first All-Star team.

"He's evolved as a pitcher. He's using all of his stuff," Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said Wednesday during an appearance on Arizona Sports‘ "Wolf & Luke."

"He was very heavy fastball dominant. He's always had a really good fastball. He was throwing his fastball way too much in the past. He's now mixing all of his stuff. That mix is causing uncertainty in the hitters."

Rodriguez won his most recent start, a 9-3 victory over the host Los Angeles Dodgers on July 10. He allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings with a walk and two strikeouts.

Rodriguez is 1-0 with a 3.50 ERA in three career starts against the Cardinals. The last was a no decision on June 23, in which he pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings and gave up three hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado is two hits shy of 2,000 for his career going into Sunday after a 2-for-4 performance -- including a two-run double -- in Arizona's win on Saturday. He got 715 of those hits as a member of the Cardinals from 2021-25.

Arizona has a 3-2 lead in the season series. The teams will play one final time -- Thursday in St. Louis -- to make up a game that was postponed in June.

--Field Level Media