Matt Garza (4-6, 4.89 ERA) and the Milwaukee Brewers (56-76) go up against Luke Weaver (1-1, 3.60 ERA) and the St. Louis Cardinals (70-61) in the last of a three-game division series at Miller Park. The Brewers lost the last game 2-1, extending a six-game losing streak. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 31 and will air on FSMW and FSWI.
In his most recent outing, Garza pitched 5.1 innings, allowing five runs (five unearned), striking out nine and walking three in a 5-3 loss to the Pirates. Ryan Braun (.313, 67 Rs, 24 HRs, 74 RBIs, 14 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. The Cardinals were victorious the last time Weaver pitched. He pitched well, going 6.0 innings, giving up one run, striking out seven and walking two in a 3-1 victory over the Athletics. Matt Carpenter (.286, 68 Rs, 17 HRs, 58 RBIs) went 1 for 5 yesterday.
Milwaukee is a +132 underdog in this game, and the Over/Under (O/U) is nine runs. The Brewers have a losing record of 36-58 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -1,191. They have disappointing records of 13-29 as the underdog and 17-34 SU within their division. The Brewers are a nightmare on the bases for opponents with an MLB-high 147 steals.
On the other side, the Cardinals have a record of 48-41 when they are favored and are -382 overall with the money line. Against teams in their division, they are 29-22 SU and have played well as the favorite with a 21-14 record. They sport the top-ranked offense in the NL, averaging five runs per game. One of the top hitting teams in the NL are the Cardinals, who average 8.9 hits per game.
The Cardinals have gotten the best of the Brewers in head-to-head matchups this season, going 11-3. The Brewers will take on a right-hander (Weaver) in this game. They have struggled against right-handed starting pitchers this season, going 32-59. The right-handed Garza will take the mound against the Cardinals, who have a 51-40 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL, O/U – Over
Notes
In their last game, the Cardinals won by a margin of one run. The Brewers are 17-26 in one-run games. The Cardinals have a 20-19 record in close games.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Brewers are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Cardinals have an 18-2 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
The Cardinals are coming into the game with two consecutive wins, while the Brewers currently have a losing streak of six.
When they outhit their opponents, the Brewers are 44-9. The Cardinals have a 49-7 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 24th in runs, Milwaukee has earned 539 this season. St. Louis ranks fourth with 649 runs.
Ranking eighth, St. Louis is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 436 this season. Milwaukee ranks in the top five at second with 509.
When the Brewers hit at least one home run, they are 44-39, well-matched with the Cardinals who are 58-40 when hitting one or more homers.
