The St. Louis Cardinals, currently at a 38-35 record, are set to face the Chicago White Sox (23-50) at Rate Field tonight. The Cardinals breezed through the first game of the series, defeating the Sox 12-2, with Brendan Donovan contributing an impressive four hits. On the mound tonight, Sonny Gray (7-2, 3.84 ERA) will look to bounce back after a rough outing against Milwaukee, while the White Sox will have Sean Burke (3-7, 4.71 ERA) starting, who also struggled in his last appearance. The Cardinals have shown resilience on the road, winning four out of their last five games against AL Central teams, and leading the betting odds as favorites at -190. Brendan Donovan's hot streak with at least one hit in seven of his last eight games is a positive for the Cardinals, along with Edgar Quero's strong .359 average in June for the Sox.

Week 12 of the fantasy baseball season is a pivotal moment for managers looking to bolster their rosters through trades. With the first half of the season nearing its conclusion, savvy GMs should target underperforming players while selling high on those who have peaked.

The focus this week is on three buy-low candidates: Marcell Ozuna, Steven Kwan, and Brendan Donovan. Ozuna, despite a rough stretch, has strong underlying metrics that suggest a bounce back, making him a prime target for managers seeking power hitters. Kwan, dealing with a wrist injury, has seen a dip in performance but remains a high average contributor with speed on the bases. Donovan, although in a slump, boasts a solid batting average and the potential for significant contributions across multiple categories.

Conversely, it's time to consider moving on from overvalued players like Paul Goldschmidt and Andy Pages. Goldschmidt's recent struggles and potential reduced playing time with Giancarlo Stanton returning make him a sell-high candidate. Pages, while hot, may be due for regression based on his underlying stats, making this a perfect moment to capitalize on his current market value.

As the MLB All-Star Game approaches on July 15, five St. Louis Cardinals are showing strong fan support in the early voting updates. Brendan Donovan leads the pack, currently sitting in fourth place among National League second basemen. Despite his impressive performance leading the league in WAR and several batting metrics, he trails behind Ketel Marte, Tommy Edman, and Nico Hoerner, largely due to market size disparities.

Other Cardinals in the mix include Iván Herrera, Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, and Masyn Winn, all of whom are in the top 10 for their respective positions. Donovan’s chances of moving forward in the voting hinge on closing the gap with Edman and Hoerner over the next voting rounds.

Brendan Donovan's status is still in the air as he aims to avoid the Injured List. Despite indications he might be sidelined, Donovan plans to push hard during Friday's batting practice to assess his readiness for the weekend against the Milwaukee Brewers. While the Cardinals are prepared to face potential challenges during a hectic stretch of games, his absence would be significant, given his impressive .310 batting average and leading stats in hits and doubles this season.

With Donovan's uncertain return, the Cardinals are exploring their options, including Nolan Gorman stepping in as a potential replacement. This decision is compounded by the team's busy schedule, which could leave them shorthanded against the Brewers. If Donovan can't return by Tuesday, younger prospects may get a chance to showcase their skills at the major league level.

Brendan Donovan's status remains uncertain as the St. Louis Cardinals prepare for a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 28-year-old infielder is recovering from a left big toe injury but is reportedly feeling better. Manager Oli Marmol stated that Donovan will attempt to move around and play catch on Thursday, with a potential return to the lineup hinging on Friday's batting practice. This season, Donovan has been a standout performer, leading the team with a .310 batting average, 77 hits, and 26 RBIs.

In Donovan's absence, Nolan Gorman has stepped up significantly, boasting a .389 batting average over the past week with two home runs and five RBIs. Should Donovan require a 10-day IL stint, Thomas Saggese may be recalled after a solid stint in Triple-A, where he hit .341 with a home run earlier this season. The Cardinals are in a tight race in the NL Central with the Brewers just half a game behind.