Game Postponed, Rescheduled
Cardinals-Diamondbacks Series Finale Postponed by Rain, Rescheduled for July 23; Pitching Rotation Shifts
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Key Points
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The series finale against Arizona was originally scheduled for a 6:45 p.m. first pitch but was postponed due to rain at Busch Stadium; the makeup is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, at 4:15 p.m., with tickets for the original night honored for the makeup.
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Arizona was slated to start Zac Gallen in the postponed game, highlighting the planned pitching matchup before the delay.
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Friday's weekend series opener against the Miami Marlins will have a first pitch at 7:15 p.m. at Busch Stadium, with pregame coverage on 939 the Eagle starting at 6:20 p.m.
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Diamondbacks outfielder Kepler has returned from an 80-game suspension and joined on a league-minimum deal signed June 7; he is expected to play primarily in left field and as a designated hitter against right-handed pitching, replacing Tim Tawa.
The St. Louis Cardinals' series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks was rained out Thursday night at Busch Stadium, pushing the game to July 23 at 4:15 p.m. Fox 2 Now reported the original 6:45 p.m. first pitch never happened due to heavy rain. Fans holding tickets for the original date can use them for the makeup game without any exchange required.
The postponement stretches the four-game series by nearly a month. Arizona leads the series 2-1 heading into the makeup. The delay also forced both teams to reshuffle their pitching plans for the days ahead, according to 93.9 The Eagle.
Makeup Game Lands on a Mutual Off-Day
July 23 was chosen because both teams share that date as a scheduled off-day. Under MLB rules, teams must play makeup games on the first available mutual off-day that works logistically. News Tribune noted the Diamondbacks are on a road trip and will continue traveling after the rescheduled game. The 4:15 p.m. start time — earlier than the original evening slot — may draw smaller walk-up crowds.
Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy, originally set to pitch Thursday, will instead open Friday's home series against the Miami Marlins at 7:15 p.m. 93.9 The Eagle noted pregame coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. McGreevy carries a 3.35 ERA and a 3-6 record into the start. He will face Miami's Max Meyer, who is 8-0 with a 2.80 ERA this season.
Zac Gallen's Start Moves; Cardinals Sit Seven Back
Arizona had planned to start Zac Gallen in the postponed game. Gallen is 3-6 with a 6.10 ERA this season. His start was pushed to Friday, when the Diamondbacks open a road series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Cardinals, now 42-36, sit seven games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers, according to 93.9 The Eagle.
Kepler Returns from 80-Game PED Suspension
The postponement came the same day Arizona activated outfielder Max Kepler from the restricted list. Kepler had been serving an 80-game suspension after testing positive for Epitrenbolone — a metabolite of Trenbolone, an anabolic steroid — making him the first MLB player ever suspended for that substance. He signed with Arizona on June 7 for the league-minimum $780,000 pro-rated salary.
To make room on the roster, infielder Tim Tawa was optioned to Triple-A Reno. Kepler is expected to play mainly in left field and as a designated hitter against right-handed pitching. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Kepler "wants to show the world that he can still play this game at a very high level." However, per MLB rules, Kepler is ineligible for the 2026 postseason as part of his suspension penalty, according to 680 KFEQ.
Ticket Policy and What Fans Should Know
The Cardinals confirmed that tickets for the original Thursday game are valid for the July 23 makeup at 4:15 p.m. No exchange is needed. 680 KFEQ reported fans can simply use their existing tickets. However, any theme-night giveaways tied to the original date — such as a sequin cap promotion — were specific to that game and will not carry over to the makeup date.
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