In the last of a four-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks (11-12) and the St. Louis Cardinals (12-9) at Chase Field, Rubby De La Rosa (2-3, 5.94 ERA) and Michael Wacha (2-0, 2.82 ERA) get the start. The Cardinals won the last game 11-4, and St. Louis leads the series 2-1. The game gets underway at 9:40 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 28 and will air on FSAZ and FSMW.
In his last start, De La Rosa pitched 6.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out six and walking one in a 7-1 victory over the Pirates. Jean Segura (.350, 11 Rs, 4 HRs, 15 RBIs, 3 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 5. The Cardinals were also victorious the last time Wacha pitched. He pitched well, going 6.0 innings, allowing two runs and walking four in an 11-2 victory over the Padres. Aledmys Diaz (.468, 18 Rs, 4 HRs, 13 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well offensively for the Cardinals, going 2 for 4 yesterday with three runs, one home run, and two RBIs.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. The Diamondbacks have one of the most prolific home offenses in the entire NL, averaging 5.8 runs per game. The Diamondbacks are an exceptional hitting team with 9.7 hits per game, one of the highest marks in the NL. The Diamondbacks are a nightmare on the bases for opponents with 16 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. Over their past 10 games, Arizona’s pitchers have been playing lights out, only allowing 0.0 runs per game, below their season average of 0.0.
They sport the top-ranked offense in the NL, averaging 0.0 runs per game. One of the top hitting teams in the league are the Cardinals, who have a .283 batting average. St. Louis has an eye for the strike zone, ranking third in the NL with 3.9 walks per game. St. Louis’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.
In their previous three games this season, the Cardinals have a 2-1 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL
Notes
The Diamondbacks managed to give up seven walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Cardinals who are coming in with a 3-0 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Cardinals have a slight leg up on the Diamondbacks, as the Cardinals have won their last two games while the Diamondbacks have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Diamondbacks are 8-1. The Cardinals have a 10-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking first in runs, St. Louis has earned 137 this season. Arizona ranks fifth with 115 runs.
Ranking 15th, Arizona is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 67 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top five at fourth with 82.
When the Diamondbacks hit at least one home run, they are 9-9. When the Cardinals hit at least one homer, they have a 10-6 record.