Jaime Garcia (1-1, 3.24 ERA) and Joe Ross (2-0, 0.54 ERA) take the hill in the second of a three-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals (12-11) and the Washington Nationals (15-7) at Busch Stadium. The Nationals won the last game 5-4, and Washington leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 2:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 30 and can be seen on MASN, FSMW and MLBN.
Garcia pitched 5.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs (one unearned), striking out three and walking three in a 12-7 defeat to the Diamondbacks. Jeremy Hazelbaker (.322, 11 Rs, 5 HRs, 13 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 1 yesterday. Ross went 2.0 innings, surrendering zero runs and walking one in a 3-1 win over the Marlins in his most recent start. Daniel Murphy (.364, 11 Rs, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
The odds for St. Louis and Washington are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Cardinals have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. The Cardinals are one of the best in the MLB in terms of home runs with 34. St. Louis is one of the best in the NL in terms of walks, earning an average of 3.8 per game. St. Louis’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
Offensively, the Nationals have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Nationals allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Nationals are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.080 for the season.
The Nationals have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL
Notes
Washington has won 62% (5-3) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, St. Louis has won 64% (7-4) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Nationals are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Cardinals have a 2-6 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Cardinals are 10-2. The Nationals have a 12-1 record when outhitting opponents.
St. Louis ranks at the top of the league when it comes to runs with 141 this season. Washington ranks in the bottom half at 16th with 87.
Ranking 10th, Washington is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 76 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top five with 87.
When the Cardinals hit at least one home run, they are 10-7. When the Nationals hit at least one homer, they have an 11-3 record.
