Carlos Martinez (4-3, 3.14 ERA) and Patrick Corbin (1-3, 4.14 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals (22-19) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (19-24) at Busch Stadium. Action begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 20 and can be seen on FSAZ and FSMW.
Martinez pitched 5.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering four runs, striking out two and walking three in a 5-3 defeat to the Dodgers. Jeremy Hazelbaker (.281, 16 Rs, 7 HRs, 18 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run. Corbin went 6.1 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out four and walking one in a 5-3 defeat to the Giants in his last outing.
The odds for St. Louis and Arizona are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. 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 batting average with a phenomenal team average of .271. 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, the Diamondbacks 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 Diamondbacks have a dynamic offense, ranking second in the league with 154 extra base hits. The Diamondbacks are an excellent base stealing team with 29 stolen bases, ranking fifth in the MLB. The Diamondbacks 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
The Cardinals are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Diamondbacks have a 5-14 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Diamondbacks are 2-16. The Cardinals have a 3-16 record when opponents outhit them.
Arizona ranks in the top 10 of the league at seventh when it comes to home runs, hitting 50 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top five with 55.
St. Louis and Arizona both rank in the top five of the league in hits. St. Louis sits at fourth with 9.39 hits per game and Arizona ranks fifth with 9.37.
Ranking seventh, Arizona is in the top 10 of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.773). St. Louis ranks in the top five at second with an OPS of .811.
When the Diamondbacks allow at least one home run, they are 6-20. When the Cardinals allow one or more homers, they have a 12-14 record.
