The St. Louis Cardinals’ pitching staff has recorded just 441 strikeouts this season, ranking second-to-last in Major League Baseball, ahead of only the Colorado Rockies.

They’ll look to improve on that number Friday as they continue their nine-game homestand by facing the Los Angeles Dodgers — a team known for being difficult to strike out.

The Cardinals began this homestand by dropping two of three games to the Kansas City Royals, giving up a total of 22 runs in the series.

“You’re about to face the Dodgers, who don’t strike out much, and then Toronto, who barely strikes out at all,” said Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol. “This stretch will be a real test for us — one I’m excited about.”

St. Louis will send right-hander Sonny Gray (6-1, 3.65 ERA) to the mound to open the series. He’s been the team’s most dominant starter this year.

After a rough outing against the Phillies on May 14, in which he gave up seven runs over 3 2/3 innings, Gray rebounded strongly. In his next three starts, he allowed only three runs across 19 innings, striking out 25 and walking just two.

Most recently, he threw seven shutout innings with 10 strikeouts in a 2-0 win over the Texas Rangers.

“I felt really good after my last start,” Gray said following that performance. “The ball was coming out of my hand well. I had a solid game plan, executed it, and made a few adjustments I hadn’t managed to earlier in the year.”

He added that he had worked on refining his approach in the bullpen and was happy to see it pay off.

Gray has a 1-4 career record and a 3.35 ERA in seven starts against the Dodgers.

Los Angeles will counter with left-hander Justin Wrobleski (1-1, 8.00 ERA), who earned his first win of the season with four scoreless relief innings in a 19-2 blowout over the Athletics on May 15.

Wrobleski has one previous start against the Cardinals, earning a win despite surrendering three home runs and four runs overall in five innings of a 7-6 win last August.

The Dodgers may also get a boost in their bullpen, as relievers Kirby Yates (hamstring strain) and Michael Kopech (shoulder impingement) are nearing returns. Both completed their rehab assignments this week and could be activated during the series.

“Both guys came out of their rehab well,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “There’s a strong chance they’ll be active this weekend.”

Former Cardinals player Tommy Edman returned to the Dodgers’ lineup Thursday in a 6-5 win over the Mets after missing time with ankle inflammation.

Roberts also gave Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy a rest day in that game. Freeman, who pinch-hit late, is expected to return to the lineup Friday. He currently leads the National League with a .363 batting average.