2025-09-19 Brewers at Cardinals Matchup Preview

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Milwaukee Brewers will send Jacob Misiorowski to the mound, while the St. Louis Cardinals will counter with Sonny Gray. This pitching matchup presents an intriguing contrast in styles and experience. Misiorowski, a promising young arm, will be looking to establish himself against a seasoned veteran like Gray. How Misiorowski manages the Cardinals' lineup will be a key factor in the game's outcome.

Brewers' Offensive Outlook Against Gray

The Brewers' offense will face a stern test against Sonny Gray. Examining their collective hitting profile, the Brewers demonstrate a certain level of expected weighted on-base average, indicating their ability to get on base and generate runs. Their overall production, as measured by wins above replacement, highlights their offensive capabilities throughout the season. The key for the Brewers will be to work the count and force Gray to throw strikes. Their approach at the plate will dictate their success. The Brewers have a slight penchant for generating offense; against Gray, they will need to be disciplined and patient at the plate to be successful.

Cardinals' Offensive Outlook Against Misiorowski

The Cardinals' offense will look to capitalize on their home-field advantage against Jacob Misiorowski. While their overall weighted on-base average might be slightly lower than the Brewers, their wins above replacement still suggests a capable offensive unit. The Cardinals will aim to exploit Misiorowski's inexperience and attack early in the count. Their ability to put runners on base and manufacture runs will be crucial. The Cardinals will look to elevate the pitches and challenge Misiorowski to keep the ball down in the zone.

Pitching Analysis: Misiorowski

Jacob Misiorowski's performance will be pivotal for the Brewers. His ability to command his pitches, especially his fastball and breaking ball, will be essential. He must avoid falling behind in the count and limit walks. The Cardinals' hitters will be looking to take advantage of any mistakes, so Misiorowski's precision and control will be paramount. His slider needs to be sharp to keep the Cardinals' hitters at bay. He needs to mix up his pitches effectively to keep the Cardinals guessing.

Pitching Analysis: Gray

Sonny Gray brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to the Cardinals. His ability to locate his pitches and change speeds will be critical against the Brewers' lineup. He needs to keep the ball down in the zone and induce ground balls to avoid giving up big hits. Gray's experience in high-pressure situations will be a valuable asset for the Cardinals. His curveball must be effective to keep the Brewers' hitters off balance. His ability to mix pitches will be key to his success.

Key Matchups and Game Strategy

A critical matchup will be how the Brewers' patient hitters approach Gray early in the game. On the other side, the Cardinals need to put pressure on Misiorowski early, looking to get runners on base and create scoring opportunities. The team that executes their game plan more effectively will have a significant advantage. Small ball will be important for both teams. The Cardinals need to make sure to make solid contact against Misiorowski.

Bullpen Considerations

Bullpen management will be crucial in the later innings. Both teams have reliable arms in their bullpens, and the manager who makes the right decisions at the right time will put his team in a position to win. How deep the starters pitch into the game will significantly impact the bullpen usage. The Cardinals need to leverage their advantage in experience in this area.

Defensive Impact

Defense will play a vital role in this game. Solid fielding and timely plays can prevent runs and change the momentum. Both teams have capable defenders, and minimizing errors will be crucial. A double play could be a key play for the Cardinals to get out of an inning.

Brewers: 2 Cardinals: 4