Carlos Martinez (12-5, 2.78 ERA) gets the start for the St. Louis Cardinals (77-44) as they go up against Ian Kennedy (7-11, 4.20 ERA) and the San Diego Padres (60-62) in the second of a three-game series at Petco Park. The Padres won the last game 9-3 and San Diego leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 8:40 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 22 and will air on FSMW and FSSD.
In his last start, Kennedy pitched 6.2 innings, giving up one, striking out eight and walking one in a 5-0 loss to the Rockies. Yangervis Solarte (.270, 47 Rs, 10 HRs, 49 RBIs, 1 SB) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 5 with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs. The Cardinals were also unsuccessful the last time Martinez pitched. He did not do well, pitching 5.0 innings, allowing four runs (one unearned) and striking out five in a 6-4 loss to the Marlins.
San Diego, a +119 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against St. Louis. The teams combine to set the Over/Under (O/U) at six runs. The Padres are 27-38 as the underdog and have an overall money line of -521. Over their past 10 games, San Diego’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 5.2 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.0. The Padres are a dangerous hitting team with 326 extra base hits, one of the highest totals in the MLB.
On the other side, the Cardinals have a nice record of 65-27 when they are favored and are +2,403 overall with the money line. The Cardinals average 2.9 walks per road game, making them one of the most disciplined teams in the NL when they travel. Shifting to the pitching staff, they have the lowest ERA in the NL at 2.59. They also average just 8.1 hits allowed per game, second-best in the NL. The St. Louis pitching staff has been an intimidating group this year, averaging 8.1 strikeouts per game.
In their previous five games this season, the Padres have a 3-2 record. This game will feature Martinez (RHP) on the mound against the Padres, who have a 45-50 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Kennedy will take the mound against the Cardinals. Against righty starters this season, they’ve racked up an impressive 60-28 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – StL, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, St. Louis is 24-16, while San Diego is 31-26.
The Cardinals are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded nine strikeouts. The Padres have a record of 20-30 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Cardinals are 48-14. The Padres have a 44-12 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 22nd, St. Louis sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 475 this season. San Diego ranks in the bottom half at 16th with 494.
Ranking 22nd, San Diego is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 316 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 364.
When the Padres hit at least one home run, they are 42-23, well-matched with the Cardinals who are 49-20 when hitting one or more homers.
