Jeff Locke (1-2, 4.72 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (16-13) are in St. Louis to go up against Adam Wainwright (2-3, 6.68 ERA) and the Cardinals (15-15) in a game that could be high scoring. This is the second of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. The Pirates won the last game 4-2, and Pittsburgh leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 2:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 7 and will air on FSMW and RTPT.
In his last start, Wainwright pitched 6.0 innings, giving up three runs, striking out four and walking one in a 10-3 victory over the Phillies. Aledmys Diaz (.398, 22 Rs, 5 HRs, 16 RBIs, 1 SB) continued his strong season yesterday, going 3 for 4 with one run. The Pirates were unsuccessful the last time Locke pitched. He tossed 7.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out six and walking two in a 6-5 loss to the Reds. Starling Marte (.322, 17 Rs, 3 HRs, 13 RBIs, 8 SBs) has been hitting the ball well, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run and one stolen base.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. The Cardinals have a SU record of 9-7 against teams in their division. The Cardinals come into the game with the third-ranked scoring offense in the NL, averaging 0.0 runs per game. The Cardinals rank third in the majors in extra base hits with 112. St. Louis’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average.
Against fellow NL Central members, the Pirates are 5-8 SU. Pittsburgh has been playing better lately, averaging 0.0 runs per game, more than their season average of 0.0. The Pirates average 4.2 walks per game, making them one of the most disciplined teams in the NL. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 0.0 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 0.0.
The previous four games have all gone Pittsburgh’s way.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL
Notes
Pittsburgh has won 47% (7-8) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, St. Louis has won 60% (9-6) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Pirates are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Cardinals have a 2-10 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Pirates are 13-4. The Cardinals have a 13-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking sixth in runs, Pittsburgh has earned 142 this season. St. Louis ranks second with 164 runs.
Ranking seventh, St. Louis is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 105 this season. Pittsburgh ranks in the top five at second with 121.
When the Cardinals hit at least one home run, they are 12-8. When the Pirates hit at least one homer, they have a 10-7 record.
