Sat Apr 19 20:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Cardinals Face Rare Pitching Challenge in Mets Series
**St. Louis, MO** – The St. Louis Cardinals face a significant challenge this weekend as they take on the New York Mets, specifically the rare ghost forkball of Mets pitcher Kodai Senga. The Cardinals, currently 9-11 overall and struggling on the road (1-7), are coming off two losses to the Mets in Queens.
While the Cardinals’ starting pitching has been strong, their offense will need to overcome Senga’s nearly unhittable pitch. The forkball, thrown only 211 times in all of baseball last season, has been deployed 664 times by Senga this year, making him the most prolific user of this rare pitch. Opponents are batting a mere .111 against it this season.
However, the Cardinals have a slight advantage. Nolan Gorman and Brendan Donovan, two of the few players who performed well against the forkball last season, are in the starting lineup. Furthermore, the Cardinals scored four earned runs against Senga in a game last year, with Donovan driving in a run off the pitch. The team’s hitting coach, Brant Brown, is confident in their ability to adapt.
The series continues Saturday at 3:05 p.m. CT, with Matthew Liberatore pitching for the Cardinals against Senga. The game will air on KTVI (Channel 2) in St. Louis and on several Fox affiliates nationally.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals are dealing with injuries. Masyn Winn (back spasms) is beginning a rehab assignment, and Ivan Herrera (bone bruise) is starting full baseball activities. Zack Thompson (lat strain) remains on the 60-day injured list. The Cardinals’ six-man rotation is also a topic of discussion, with Post-Dispatch sports columnists analyzing its impact on the team. A recent podcast also explores the team’s lower-than-expected attendance, questioning if the advertised “transition” year is affecting fan interest. The Post-Dispatch offers a subscription for access to more in-depth analysis and coverage.
First Piper 