Luke Weaver (0-1, 5.00 ERA) and Ross Detwiler (1-2, 5.91 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals (67-59) and the Oakland Athletics (55-72) at Busch Stadium. Action begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 26 and can be seen on CSCA and FSMW.
Weaver pitched 5.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs and striking out six in a 4-2 defeat to the Phillies. Brandon Moss (.267, 56 Rs, 25 HRs, 60 RBIs, 1 SB) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 5 with two runs, two home runs, and three RBIs. Detwiler went 4.0 innings, surrendering six runs, striking out two and walking one in a 6-2 defeat to the White Sox in his last outing. Khris Davis (.259, 67 Rs, 33 HRs, 82 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Athletics, going 2 for 4 Wednesday with one run.
St. Louis is a -172 favorite against Oakland and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Cardinals have an overall money line of -32 and a record as the favorite of 46-38. Against the AL, they have had a discouraging season, earning 2-8 and 7-10 records as the favorite and SU, respectively. The Cardinals have no trouble scoring as they rank third in the NL in offense with 5.0 runs per game. The Cardinals are one of the best in the NL in terms of hits with a phenomenal 8.9 per game. St. Louis’s batters do not strike out very often at home, with only 7.3 per game. Crossing over to the pitching staff, the Cardinals are the fourth-best team in the NL at limiting walks to their opponents, allowing only 2.8 walks per game so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Oakland has a 37-50 record and an overall money line of -1,295. They played poorly as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 2-7 record and a 3-7 record SU.
The Cardinals have a 17-21 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Detwiler takes the mound. Weaver (RHP) will be on the hill against the Athletics, who have a 42-51 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
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 two walks during their last outing. The Cardinals have a 16-27 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Athletics are 38-13. The Cardinals have a 46-6 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 26th in runs, Oakland has earned 509 this season. St. Louis ranks fourth with 632 runs.
Ranking 29th, Oakland is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 319 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 426.
The Cardinals are 55-38 when they hit at least one home run. The Athletics perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 42-40 record.
