With Brook Lopez rendered ineffective, head coach Doc Rivers turned to Portis to take on more minutes at center. Lopez only played 16 minutes after playing 21 minutes in Game 1, while Portis went from playing 25 minutes in Game 1 to playing 31 minutes on Tuesday. Though it didn’t change the result of this game, things went well with Portis on the floor. With Game 3 coming on Friday, we’ll see if this was a rotational adjustment that Rivers will continue to roll with or if this was simply because Portis was having a strong night shooting the ball.

Winn hit one 377 feet to left-center against Matt Strahm for the first homer Strahm has surrendered this season. Winn also walked in the game. He’s a nice mixed-league MI option for as long as the Cardinals keep hitting him at the top of the order.

Samuel, fresh off offseason neck surgery, visited with the Saints Monday as he pursues his next playing opportunity. He has clear connection to the franchise after they hired Brandon Staley to fill their defensive coordinator position, for whom Samuel played under with the Chargers. Fowler adds that Samuel has another doctor visit scheduled for early July, during which time he hopes to gain clearance to resume football activities.

Liberatore gave up 11 hard-hit balls, but just one of those turned into an extra-base hit, and he also walked only one. We’re still skeptical that he’ll keep this up, but he’s been remarkably solid in amassing a 3.11 ERA in eight starts. He’ll face the Royals next.

Helsley struck out two of the three batters he faced. It’s his 12th scoreless outing in 15 appearances this season.

This is just the typical Sánchez outing at this point. He’s allowed exactly two earned runs in four of his eight starts while going 4-1 with a 2.91 ERA. He’ll likely face the Pirates on Sunday.

It seems like only a matter of time before Walker gets sent down to Triple-A for the third year in a row. He’s been on the bench for four of the Cardinals’ last 10 games anyway, and he’s currently in a 7-for-67 slump.