Jaime Garcia (10-9, 4.37 ERA) and the St. Louis Cardinals (68-60) meet Andrew Triggs (0-1, 4.38 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics (56-73) in the last of a three-game interleague series at Busch Stadium. The Athletics won the last game 3-2, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 2:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 28 and will air on CSCA and FSMW.
In his most recent outing, Garcia pitched 4.0 innings, giving up six runs, striking out six and walking one in a 7-4 loss to the Mets. The Athletics were unsuccessful against the Indians 1-0 the last time Triggs pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out six and walking one. Khris Davis (.257, 68 Rs, 33 HRs, 83 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
St. Louis is a considerable -200 favorite at home and the Over/Under (O/U) for this matchup is eight runs. The Cardinals are 47-39 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -97. They have not performed well against the American League, earning a SU record of 8-10 and a 3-8 record when they were the favorite. The Cardinals have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire NL, averaging 5.0 runs per game. The Cardinals rank fifth in the NL in hits with 8.9 per game. Don’t expect the St. Louis hitters to swing wildly. They average only 8.0 strikeouts per game. Transitioning to the pitching staff, the Cardinals are fourth in the NL in walks allowed with just 2.8 per game.
Across the field, the Athletics have a record of 37-51 when they are the underdog and are -1,395 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, the team is 3-7 SU and has played poorly as the underdog with a 2-7 record. Oakland’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 3.2 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 4.7.
The Cardinals will take on a right-hander (Triggs) in this game and have a 50-38 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Garcia will take the mound against the Athletics, who have a 13-21 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL, O/U – Over
Notes
Oakland has won 39% (19-30) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, St. Louis has won 56% (31-24) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Athletics are coming into this game after allowing no walks during their last outing. The Cardinals have a 2-7 record when opponents don’t give up any walks.
When they outhit their opponents, the Athletics are 38-13. The Cardinals have a 47-7 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 26th in runs, Oakland has earned 513 this season. St. Louis ranks fourth with 637 runs.
Ranking 28th, Oakland is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 327 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 429.
When the Cardinals hit at least one home run, they are 56-39, well-matched with the Athletics who are 42-41 when hitting one or more homers.
