In the second of a four-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks (62-62) and the St. Louis Cardinals (79-45) at Chase Field, Robbie Ray (3-9, 3.38 ERA) and Jaime Garcia (5-4, 1.79 ERA) take the mound. The Cardinals won the last game 5-3 and St. Louis leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 9:40 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 25 and will air on FSAZ and FSMW.
In his last start, Ray pitched 6.0 innings, giving up three runs, striking out five and walking two in a 4-1 loss to the Pirates. David Peralta (.301, 48 Rs, 13 HRs, 67 RBIs, 5 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 4 for 5 with one RBI. The Cardinals were unsuccessful the last time Garcia pitched. He went 6.1 innings, allowing three runs, striking out five and walking one in a 4-3 loss to the Giants. Matt Carpenter (.260, 71 Rs, 19 HRs, 65 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is eight runs. The Diamondbacks are a nightmare for opponents on the bases with 110 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball.
St. Louis’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 4.5 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 3.0. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in the NL with an average of 8.1 strikeouts per game.
The previous four games have all gone St. Louis’s way. This game will feature Garcia (LHP) on the mound against the Diamondbacks, who have a 14-17 record when they take on a left-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Cardinals will be the left-hander Ray. They sport a 17-15 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – StL, O/U – Over
Notes
Arizona has won 55% (23-19) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, St. Louis has won 60% (26-17) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Cardinals are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded six strikeouts. The Diamondbacks have a record of 17-19 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Diamondbacks are 45-16. The Cardinals have a 48-14 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 23rd, St. Louis sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 490 this season. Arizona ranks in the top five at fourth with 567.
Arizona and St. Louis both rank in the top 10 of the league in walks. Arizona sits at eighth with 378 this season and St. Louis ranks ninth with 374.
When the Diamondbacks hit at least one home run, they are 44-23, well-matched with the Cardinals who are 51-20 when hitting one or more homers.
