Injuries have left the Arizona Diamondbacks short-handed in their pitching rotation, prompting them to turn to Jordan Montgomery as they face the St. Louis Cardinals. Montgomery, who joined Arizona late in free agency, secured a win in his debut start against the San Francisco Giants with an impressive 1.50 ERA. Now set for his second start against the Cardinals, Montgomery aims to bolster the Diamondbacks’ pitching efforts in a crucial series.
Despite some early struggles in preparatory starts for Triple-A Reno, Montgomery’s debut for Arizona showcased his ability to handle major league competition. His familiarity with the Cardinals from his time with them adds an intriguing element to the matchup, although he has never pitched against them before.
Arizona’s pitching woes, including injuries to key starters like Merrill Kelly, Ryne Nelson, and Eduardo Rodriguez, have emphasized the value of Montgomery’s addition to the team. Manager Torey Lovullo expressed confidence in Montgomery’s abilities and praised his execution and approach on the mound.
On the Cardinals’ side, Kyle Gibson will take the mound, coming off a quality start in his previous outing against the Milwaukee Brewers. Gibson’s synergy with catcher Willson Contreras has been instrumental in his recent performances, highlighting the importance of pitcher-catcher rapport in baseball.
