Marlins vs Cardinals Preview: Icy Start for Week 66

The Miami Marlins roll into Busch Stadium with real momentum. They've won three straight games and are playing their best baseball right now. At 43-39, Miami sits right in the hunt. Their pitching staff, led by Sandy Alcántara's potential comeback, could be special if everyone stays healthy. Ryan Gusto takes the mound Saturday for the Marlins. The Cardinals are stumbling a bit. St. Louis dropped three straight and sits at 42-37. Both teams need this win badly. The race is tight, and every game matters now in late June.

Andre Pallante is on fire for the Cardinals. The young pitcher is 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA this season. Those are elite numbers. Pallante is getting the ball Saturday after the Cardinals pushed him up a day in the rotation. Dustin May needs extra rest for his back, so Pallante steps in on four days' rest. Miami's Ryan Gusto needs to match him. The Marlins are counting on their young arms to develop into stars. This matchup shows what the future looks like for both bullpens and rotations fighting for playoff position.

Miami knows how to win on the road. The Marlins have been solid away from home. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are 22-20 at Busch Stadium and need to find magic at home. St. Louis has dropped three in a row and the fans want to see their team fight back. Saturday is a chance for both teams to grab control of their story. The Marlins want to prove they belong in the conversation. The Cardinals want to remind everyone they can still compete. This game decides which team takes another step forward.