In a game that has the potential for a lot of runs, Chris Rusin (1-1, 4.85 ERA) and the Colorado Rockies (20-18) are in St. Louis to square off against Adam Wainwright (3-3, 6.80 ERA) and the Cardinals (20-19). This is the second of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. The Rockies won the last game 3-1, continuing a five-game winning streak. Action begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May. 18 and can be seen on FSMW and RTRM.
Wainwright pitched 5.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering seven runs (one unearned), striking out three and walking one in a 12-10 win over the Angels. Jeremy Hazelbaker (.280, 15 Rs, 7 HRs, 18 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Rusin went 5.2 innings, surrendering four runs, striking out four and walking two in a 5-1 defeat to the Diamondbacks in his last outing. Nolan Arenado (.307, 30 Rs, 13 HRs, 33 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one RBI.
The odds for St. Louis and Colorado are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Cardinals have no trouble scoring as they rank third 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 145. 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 Cardinals are the fourth-best team in the NL at limiting walks during home games, allowing only 2.4 walks per game to their opponents this season.
Offensively, they average 0.0 runs per game, which is good for fourth in the NL. The Rockies have a dynamic offense, ranking fourth in the league with 140 extra base hits. The Rockies 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 issuing walks on the road, the Rockies have the third-fewest in the NL with an average of just 2.5 walks allowed per game.
The Rockies have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL
Notes
Having scored one run in their last game, the Cardinals are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Rockies have a 7-0 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they are outhit, the Cardinals are 3-16. The Rockies have a 3-12 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 10th in home runs, Colorado has hit 46 this season. St. Louis ranks fourth with 54 home runs.
Ranking sixth, St. Louis is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 9.38 per game. Colorado ranks in the top five at third with 9.63.
St. Louis and Colorado both rank in the top five of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. St. Louis sits at second with an OPS of .809, and Colorado ranks fourth with an OPS of .796.
The Rockies are 9-15 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Cardinals are 11-14 when they allow at least one homer.