Michael Wacha (3-0, 1.33 ERA) and Severino Gonzalez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) start in the second of a four-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals (12-6) and the Philadelphia Phillies (8-12) at Busch Stadium. The Phillies won the last game 4-1 and Philadelphia leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Apr. 28 and can be seen on CSN-PHI and FSN-MW.
Wacha pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering one run, striking out six and walking two in a 4-1 win over the Nationals. Matt Carpenter (.373, 15 Rs, 3 HRs, 11 RBIs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run. Odubel Herrera (.300, 8 Rs, 4 RBIs, 4 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 3 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
This one isn’t expected to be close when St. Louis, a big -201 favorite, takes on Philadelphia. The matchup has an estimated Over/Under (O/U) of seven runs. The Cardinals have recorded an overall money line of +620 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 9-3. St. Louis is an impressive 7-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Cardinals have no trouble scoring as they rank fourth in the NL in home offense with 4.2 runs per game. St. Louis strikes out the least of any team in the NL at home, with only 5.0 per game. As for the pitchers, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Cardinals, who have a team ERA of only 2.24. The Cardinals are the fourth-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.09 so far this season.
As for their opponent, Philadelphia is coming in with an overall money line of -384 and a disappointing record of 6-10 as the underdog. Philadelphia is excellent at not striking out n the road with just 7.3 per game, ranking fourth in the NL.
The Phillies have the edge in the season series, 1-0. The Cardinals have a great 5-1 record at home (11-4 overall) against right-handed starting pitchers, which is what they’ll be facing when Gonzalez takes the mound. Wacha (RHP) will be on the hill against the Phillies, who have a 5-11 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL, O/U – Under
Notes
When the Cardinals and the Phillies play into extra innings, both teams have a 1-1 record.
The Phillies managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Cardinals who are heading in with a 3-4 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Phillies are 3-10. The Cardinals have a 2-1 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total home runs this season, St. Louis ranks 22nd with 13 homers and Philadelphia is 26th with 11.
Ranking 15th, Philadelphia is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 6.95 per game. St. Louis ranks in the top five at third with 9.12.
Ranking 30th, Philadelphia is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.601). St. Louis ranks in the top half at 11th with an OPS of .712.
When the Phillies allow at least one home run, they are 5-8. When the Cardinals allow one or more homers, they have a 4-3 record.
