Carlos Martinez (4-0, 1.93 ERA) takes the mound for the St. Louis Cardinals (12-12) as they meet Max Scherzer (2-1, 4.35 ERA) and the Washington Nationals (16-7) in the last of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. The Nationals won the last game 6-1, and Washington leads the series 2-0. The game starts at 2:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 1 and will air on MAS2 and FSMW.
In his last start, Martinez pitched 8.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out four and walking one in an 8-2 victory over the Diamondbacks. Aledmys Diaz (.423, 18 Rs, 4 HRs, 13 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 2 yesterday. The Nationals were unsuccessful the last time Scherzer pitched. He tossed 6.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out seven and walking four in a 4-3 loss to the Phillies. Daniel Murphy (.370, 12 Rs, 2 HRs, 11 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. St. Louis has averaged 0.0 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 0.0. The Cardinals are a power hitting team with 34 home runs, one of the highest totals in the MLB. They have been very patient at the plate, ranking fifth in the NL with an average of 3.7 walks per game. St. Louis’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average. The Cardinals are fifth in the NL in hits allowed at home with just 7.1 per game.
During the last 10 games, they averaged 0.0 runs per game, above their 0.0 season average. Washington’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 0.0 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 0.0. They have a WHIP of 1.081, second best in the MLB.
So far this season, the Nationals are 2-0 against the Cardinals.
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 2-7 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Cardinals are 2-9. The Nationals have a 3-6 record when opponents outhit them.
Washington ranks in the top half of the league at 13th when it comes to home runs, hitting 26 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top five with 34.
Ranking 23rd, Washington is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 7.70 per game. St. Louis ranks in the top five at third with 9.67.
Ranking 19th, Washington is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.694). St. Louis ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .835.
The Nationals are 8-5 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Cardinals are 7-8 when they allow at least one homer.
