Michael Wacha (2-2, 2.65 ERA) and Gerrit Cole (2-3, 3.95 ERA) take the hill in the last of a three-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals (16-15) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (16-14) at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won the last game 6-4, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 2:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 8 and can be seen on FSMW and RTPT.
Wacha pitched 8.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one run, striking out eight and walking three in a 1-0 defeat to the Phillies. Aledmys Diaz (.402, 23 Rs, 5 HRs, 16 RBIs, 1 SB) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run. Cole went 4.2 innings, surrendering six runs (one unearned), striking out six and walking four in a 7-2 defeat to the Cubs in his last outing. Starling Marte (.325, 17 Rs, 3 HRs, 14 RBIs, 8 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one RBI.
The odds for St. Louis and Pittsburgh are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. Within its division, St. Louis has a record of 9-8 SU. The Cardinals have no trouble scoring as they rank second in the NL in offense with 0.0 runs per game. The Cardinals are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 118. 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.
The Pirates are 6-8 against fellow NL Central members. Offensively, the Pirates 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 Pirates are tough outs for opponents, leading the NL with 10.0 hits per game. Pittsburgh is excellent at drawing walks with 4.1 per game, ranking second in the NL. The Pirates 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.
The Pirates lead the season series, 4-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL
Notes
Pittsburgh has won 44% (7-9) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, St. Louis has won 62% (10-6) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Pirates managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Cardinals who are heading in with an 11-2 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Pirates are 13-5. The Cardinals have a 13-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking sixth in runs, Pittsburgh has earned 146 this season. St. Louis ranks second with 170 runs.
Ranking seventh, St. Louis is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 109 this season. Pittsburgh ranks in the top five at third with 123.
When the Cardinals hit at least one home run, they are 13-8. When the Pirates hit at least one homer, they have a 10-7 record.
