Ross Stripling (0-2, 3.82 ERA) and Michael Wacha (2-3, 3.12 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers (18-17) and the St. Louis Cardinals (19-16) at Dodger Stadium. Action begins at 10:10 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 13 and can be seen on FSMW and SNLA.
Stripling pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one run and striking out six in a 4-2 win over the Blue Jays. Chase Utley (.296, 18 Rs, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs, 1 SB) continued his strong play yesterday, going 3 for 4 with two runs, one home run, and one RBI. Wacha went 6.0 innings, surrendering four runs, striking out six and walking two in a 10-5 defeat to the Pirates in his last outing. Aledmys Diaz (.383, 24 Rs, 5 HRs, 18 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Cardinals, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run.
The odds for Los Angeles and St. Louis are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. The Dodgers 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. Los Angeles’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 Dodgers are the second-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.115 so far this season.
Offensively, the Cardinals 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 Cardinals can change the game with one swing of the bat, leading the league with 51 home runs. The Cardinals 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.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL
Notes
Los Angeles has won 36% (4-7) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, St. Louis has won 61% (11-7) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Cardinals managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Dodgers who are heading in with a 6-8 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Cardinals are 16-3. The Dodgers have a 14-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 15th in runs, Los Angeles has earned 146 this season. St. Louis ranks second with 200 runs.
Ranking 11th, Los Angeles is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 113 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 125.
The Dodgers are 12-8 when they hit at least one home run. The Cardinals perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 15-9 record.
