The visiting St. Louis Cardinals will turn to right-hander Erick Fedde as they try to halt a five-game skid when they face the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.

Fedde (3-5, 3.54 ERA) will be opposed by veteran right-hander Freddy Peralta (5-4, 2.69).

Milwaukee won the opener of the four-game series 6-0 on Thursday behind hard-throwing rookie right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, who tossed five hitless innings in his major league debut before exiting with leg cramps.

The Brewers chased Cardinals starter Sonny Gray with a five-run fifth inning, capped by Jackson Chourio’s two-run homer.

Despite the losing streak, which includes a recent three-game sweep at Toronto, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said his team still has a positive approach, even the younger players.

“Our guys are actually in a really good spot,” Marmol said after Thursday’s game. “The last thing I question with this group, or worry about is the overall vibe or morale because they’re young. They’re just going to come in tomorrow and get after it again.”

St. Louis has not lost six in a row since a seven-game skid in May 2024.

Fedde is 2-2 with a 2.63 ERA over his past seven starts but has not won since May 9. He allowed four hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings in his previous start, a no-decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a game the Cardinals won 2-1 last Saturday.

Fedde is 2-3 with a 5.88 ERA in seven career games, including six starts, against the Brewers. He took the loss in his lone start this year versus Milwaukee, getting tagged for season-high totals in runs (seven) and hits (10) in 5 2/3 innings in a 7-1 defeat on April 27.

Willson Contreras recorded the Cardinals’ first hit of the game Thursday with a leadoff single in the seventh inning. Contreras is hitting .340 over his past 13 games with two homers, six doubles and 14 RBIs.

In his two starts this month, Peralta is 0-1 despite allowing just three runs in 12 innings. His last time out, he tossed six scoreless innings of one-hit ball, but did not get the decision in a 1-0 loss versus the San Diego Padres after the bullpen gave up a homer to Manny Machado to open the seventh.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that Peralta told him he was gassed after six innings.

“But he was brilliant,” Murphy said. “Let’s give Freddy the credit he deserves. He was brilliant.”

Peralta is 4-6 with a 4.91 ERA in 19 career appearances, including 15 starts, against the Cardinals. He was 1-0 with a 2.42 ERA in four starts last season versus St. Louis.

Christian Yelich and Chourio remained hot at the plate.

Yelich, with two singles, is 25-for-65 (.385) over his past 17 games with six homers and 15 RBIs, while Chourio is 18-for-55 (.327) over his past 13 games with four homers and 12 RBIs.

To make room for Misiorowski in the rotation, veteran Aaron Civale was moved to the bullpen. The latter promptly requested a trade from the team.

–Field Level Media