The Colorado Rockies (12-19, 2-11 away) begin a three-game National League series against the St. Louis Cardinals (18-14, 9-8 home) starting Friday night. Friday’s contest is the first meeting between the two franchises this season.
The first pitch for game one of the series is at 8:15 p.m. EST inside Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis is a heavy favorite (-200) on the money line, and the run total is 7.5.
What to Know – Colorado Rockies
Colorado is off to a lackluster start through the first month of play in 2021. The Rockies find themselves in the last place of the NL West standings but enter the weekend riding a two-game winning streak. Colorado has struggled on the road this season, posting a 2-11 record.
Southpaw Austin Gomber (2-3, 5.90 ERA, 1.45 WHIP) takes the mound for the Rockies. Gomber, who was drafted and pitched in parts of two seasons for the Cardinals, has appeared in six games this season. The 27-year old has tallied 29 innings pitched, surrendering 19 earned runs 22 hits while striking out 27.
The Rockies average 4.8 runs per game while batting .247 as a team. Second baseman Ryan McMahon is off to a hot start at the plate, leading the team in home runs (8) and runs batted in (21). Shortstop Trevor Story put together a solid first month of play, hitting .304 with four home runs, 19 runs scored, and 20 RBI.
What to Know – St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves in the first place as they begin the weekend series. St. Louis has a one-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central ranks. The Cardinals dropped their last two games of the series against the New York Mets but had won six in a row prior.
25-year old Jack Flaherty (5-0, 3.41 ERA, 1.02 WHIP) searched for his sixth win of the season in Friday’s duel. The right-hander has thrown 34.1 innings this season, allowing 13 earned runs on 25 hits with 36 strikeouts. Flaherty recorded a season-high nine strikeouts in his most recent start.
St. Louis scores 4.6 runs per game and sport a .234 team batting average. The former Rockie Nolan Arenado is hitting .276 with five home runs and a team-high 22 RBI. 22-year old outfielder Dylan Carlson is an early surprise, hitting .275 with 15 RBI and 20 runs scored.
The Pick is In
While losing most recently, both teams carry some momentum into the weekend series in the Lou. The pitching matchup between two former Cardinals will be epic and a fun one for Cardinals’ fans.
Colorado has struggled on the road, and their pitching is just not up to par facing major league hitters. The Rockies still have a solid offense, but Flaherty is undefeated for a reason and will keep the Colorado hitters in check.
The juice to take the Cardinals was just too much, but given the Rockies’ lack of success on the road and the Cardinals’ top arm on the mound, we will ride with the Cardinals on the run line in a 6-2 victory.
The Pick: St. Louis Cardinals -1.5
