The St. Louis Cardinals could receive a much-needed boost if Jordan Walker is healthy enough to return to the lineup when they begin a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Friday.
Walker has been one of the Cardinals’ most important offensive players during a breakout campaign, but a sore right knee has kept him out of St. Louis’ last two games. The outfielder injured the knee earlier this week while playing against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Although the Cardinals initially expected him to receive only one day of rest, the issue has kept him sidelined for three days.
His status for Friday’s series opener remains uncertain.
Walker was originally in line to get a rest day, but he became a late scratch from Wednesday’s series finale against New York. St. Louis had Thursday off, giving Walker additional time to recover before the Rockies visit Busch Stadium.
The Cardinals are hopeful that the extra recovery period will be enough for their slugger to return.
Walker did take part in some pregame activities in New York before Wednesday’s game. He worked in the outfield and took swings, suggesting that the injury was not severe enough to prevent him from doing some baseball activities. However, the discomfort remained significant enough that the Cardinals did not make him available even as a pinch hitter.
Walker acknowledged that the team would have to wait and see how his knee responded after the scheduled off day.
A healthy Walker would be particularly valuable for St. Louis as the club attempts to remain within reach of the National League postseason picture. He is hitting .285 this season with a .343 on-base percentage and a .491 slugging percentage. He has also contributed 22 home runs and 14 stolen bases.
Despite those impressive numbers, Walker has experienced a notable power drought recently. He has not hit a home run in his last 22 games, extending a stretch in which his production has cooled considerably. That slump dates back to the period surrounding his participation in the Home Run Derby and All-Star festivities.
Even with the recent decline in power, Walker remains a major component of the Cardinals’ offense. His return could give St. Louis an important offensive option as the team enters the final portion of the regular-season race.
The Cardinals will send right-hander Kyle Leahy to the mound for the series opener. Leahy enters Friday’s game with a 7-4 record and a 3.44 ERA.
His recent performances have been especially encouraging. Since late June, Leahy has established himself as one of the more reliable pitchers in the Cardinals’ rotation. Across his last seven starts, he is 2-0 with a remarkable 1.21 ERA. During that span, he has struck out 32 batters while allowing 24 hits and nine walks across 37 1/3 innings.
Leahy has limited experience against Colorado, having faced the Rockies five times in relief. His career ERA against them is 4.32. Current Colorado hitters have combined to go just 2-for-17 against him, with seven strikeouts. Kyle Karros and Ezequiel Tovar are the only Rockies players in the current lineup to record hits against Leahy.
St. Louis has shown some improvement during August, but the club still has plenty of ground to make up. The Cardinals entered Thursday with a 10-19 record dating back to July 5 and were sitting one game below .500 overall.
Despite those struggles, the postseason remains within reach.
St. Louis was four games behind the National League’s third wild-card position as of Thursday afternoon. The Cardinals are one of six teams still close enough to the playoff race to potentially make a late push.
However, the organization has also made decisions that indicate it is thinking beyond the current season. Before Monday’s trade deadline, St. Louis traded outfielder Lars Nootbaar and right-handed pitcher Dustin May in separate transactions.
Those moves could make the Cardinals’ road to the postseason more difficult, but the team still has an opportunity to compete. The Philadelphia Phillies, who currently occupy a wild-card position, are scheduled to visit St. Louis on Monday.
Meanwhile, Colorado enters the series from a very different position.
The Rockies are beginning a nine-game road trip and arrive in St. Louis carrying a 45-70 record, the worst mark in Major League Baseball. Their struggles have been even more pronounced away from home, where they are 18-38 this season.
Colorado will counter with right-hander Ryan Feltner, who enters the matchup with a 4-5 record and a 5.75 ERA.
Feltner has struggled significantly over his most recent stretch. Since July 1, he has made five starts and posted an 8.75 ERA. His previous meeting with St. Louis came in 2024, when he performed much better against the Cardinals. In two starts that year, he recorded a 1.59 ERA and struck out 13 batters over 11 1/3 innings.
Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer has experienced plenty of losses during his tenure, holding an 81-156 career managerial record with the Rockies. Still, he believes his team is beginning to show signs of progress.
The Rockies recently suffered a sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays, but Schaeffer remains optimistic about the direction of the club. He believes the players are developing better habits and becoming more consistent in the way they approach games and preparation.
That optimism will be tested during a difficult nine-game trip.
The opening contest in St. Louis will also begin a six-game season series between the Cardinals and Rockies. Following the three games at Busch Stadium, the teams are scheduled to meet again in Denver for another three-game series from September 4 through September 6.
For St. Louis, much of the attention heading into Friday will center on Walker’s knee.
The Cardinals need offensive production as they attempt to stay connected to the National League wild-card race, and Walker’s return could provide a timely spark. His 22 home runs and 14 stolen bases demonstrate the kind of impact he can have when healthy and productive.
At the same time, St. Louis will need its pitching to continue performing at a high level. Leahy’s recent form gives the Cardinals reason for confidence, especially against a Rockies lineup that has struggled to produce consistently on the road.
Colorado, meanwhile, will be looking to use the beginning of its long road trip as an opportunity to change its fortunes.
With both teams facing very different circumstances, Friday’s matchup could carry plenty of intrigue. The Cardinals are still chasing a playoff opportunity while simultaneously preparing for the future, whereas the Rockies are trying to find positive signs during a difficult season.
If Walker is cleared to play, his presence could immediately strengthen St. Louis’ lineup and give the Cardinals another weapon as they attempt to make a late-season push.
