Carlos Martinez (4-2, 2.61 ERA) gets the ball for the St. Louis Cardinals (19-17) as they go up against Scott Kazmir (2-3, 5.54 ERA) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (19-17) in the second of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the last game 8-4, and Los Angeles leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 9:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 14 and will air on FSMW and SNLA.
In his most recent outing, Kazmir pitched 5.2 innings, giving up four runs (one unearned), striking out six and walking four in a 4-2 loss to the Mets. Chase Utley (.296, 18 Rs, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs, 1 SB) played well again yesterday, going 3 for 4 with two runs, one home run, and one RBI. The Cardinals were also unsuccessful the last time Martinez pitched. He went 3.1 innings, allowing one run, striking out two and walking three in a 4-2 loss to the Pirates. Aledmys Diaz (.387, 25 Rs, 6 HRs, 19 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well offensively for the Cardinals, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. Over their past 10 games, Los Angeles’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 0.0 runs per game, well over their season average of 0.0. Over their past 10 games, Los Angeles’s pitchers have been playing lights out, only allowing 0.0 runs per game, below their season average of 0.0. The Dodgers don’t allow many hitters to get on base, ranking second in the league with a 1.125 WHIP.
St. Louis has been playing better lately, averaging 0.0 runs per game, more than their season average of 0.0. St. Louis is the top home-run-hitting team in the league with 52 home runs. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the St. Louis pitchers. They’ve allowed 0.0 runs per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 0.0.
So far this season, the Dodgers are 1-0 against the Cardinals.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL
Notes
When leading after seven innings, St. Louis is 11-7, while Los Angeles is 4-7.
The St. Louis batters brought in a solid nine hits last game. Los Angeles has a record of 4-10 when their opponents get that many hits or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Cardinals are 16-3. The Dodgers have a 15-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 12th, Los Angeles is in the top half of the league in runs, scoring 154 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top five at third with 204.
Ranking 11th, Los Angeles is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 116 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 129.
The Dodgers are 13-8 when they hit at least one home run. The Cardinals perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 15-10 record.
