In the first of a three-game series between the Milwaukee Brewers (47-63) and the St. Louis Cardinals (69-39) at Miller Park, Tyler Cravy (0-2, 3.60 ERA) and Lance Lynn (8-6, 2.89 ERA) get the start. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 7 and will air on FSWI and FSMW.
In his last start, Cravy pitched 6.0 innings, giving up four runs, striking out three and walking one in a 4-3 loss to the Braves. Ryan Braun (.273, 66 Rs, 19 HRs, 63 RBIs, 16 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with two runs. The Cardinals were unsuccessful to the Rockies 6-2 the last time Lynn pitched. He went 5.0 innings, allowing four runs, striking out five and walking three. Matt Carpenter (.264, 63 Rs, 15 HRs, 55 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run.
Milwaukee is a +130 underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Brewers are 27-39 as the underdog and have an overall money line of -1,648. They are 1-4 as the underdog over their last 10 games. Milwaukee’s pitchers are doing better against opposing batters during divisional games, only allowing an average of 3.8 runs per game, well under their season average of 4.5. The have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out at Miller Park, averaging 8.5 strikeouts per home game.
Across the field, the Cardinals have a nice record of 56-23 when they are favored and are +2,105 overall with the money line. Against divisional foes, they are 27-16 SU and have played well as the favorite with a 21-8 record. St. Louis is one of the top hitting teams in the NL with an average of 8.7 hits per contest. The Cardinals are a problem for opposing batters, sporting an NL-low 2.66 ERA this season. They have a WHIP of 1.20 on the year, good for fifth in the league. The St. Louis pitching staff has been an intimidating group on the road this year, averaging an NL-best 8.4 strikeouts per game.
The Cardinals have gotten the better of the Brewers in head-to-head matchups this season, going 6-3. This game will feature Lynn (RHP) on the mound against the Brewers, who have a 33-52 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Cardinals will be the right-hander Cravy. Right-handed starters haven’t been a big issue for them as they sport a 53-25 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – StL, O/U – Over
Notes
After last game’s shutout win against the San Diego, the Brewers now have five shutouts this season. The Cardinals have been shut out in eight games this season.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Brewers are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Cardinals have an 11-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the Brewers are 8-49. The Cardinals have a 19-25 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 22nd in home runs, St. Louis has hit 88 this season. Milwaukee ranks 16th with 94 home runs.
Ranking ninth, Milwaukee is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.46 per game. St. Louis ranks in the top five at fifth with 8.70.
Ranking 20th, Milwaukee is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.697). St. Louis ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .713.
When the Cardinals allow at least one home run, they are 28-27. When the Brewers allow one or more homers, they have a 25-43 record.
