The St. Louis Cardinals (42-34, 23-15 home) look to keep the good times rolling against the Miami Marlins (33-39, 14-23 away) after St. Louis opened up the series with a 9-0 victory on Monday night. The Cardinals own a 3-1 head-to-head advantage over Miami this season, with Wednesday’s contest being their final meeting this year.
Tuesday’s first pitch is slated for 7:45 p.m. EST at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals are favored at -145, and the over-under total is 8.5 runs.
What to Know – Miami Marlins
It has been an up and down year for the Marlins, who are 5-5 over their most recent contests. Miami sits in fourth place in a tough National League East division.
The expected hurler for the visitors is lefty Braxton Garrett (1-2, 4.08 ERA, 1.70 WHIP). Garrett was called up to the majors in June and has held his own in his appearances. The 24-year-old’s logged 17.2 innings of work, surrendering eight earned runs on 25 hits, and five walks, with 17 strikeouts.
The shortstop sensation Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been a highlight of the Marlins offense, leading the team with 14 home runs and 45 runs batted in while showing his prowess on the basepaths with 12 stolen bags. Outfielder Jorge Soler has been a nice addition to the lineup, collecting 13 home runs and 33 RBI.
Miami is 14th in the league with a .245 team batting average that produces 4.4 runs per game. The Marlins’ pitching staff sits 17th in the MLB with a 3.96 earned run average.
What to Know – St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis has stayed toe-to-toe with the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, sitting just a half-game behind what is shaping out to be a two-team race in the division. The Cardinals are 5-5 over their last ten contests.
Right-hander Dakota Hudson (5-4, 3.72 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) gets the call on the hill for St. Louis. Hudson has seen his ERA climb in June after a pair of outings where he coughed up six and five runs. The Tennessee native pitched 75.0 innings, allowing 31 earned runs on 66 hits, and 35 walks, with 41 strikeouts.
After a 4-for-4 effort Monday, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt now leads the majors with a .347 batting average. Goldschmidt is the team leader in home runs (19) and RBI (64) also. Third baseman Nolan Arenado has added 14 home runs and 49 RBI as well. 24-year-old rookie Juan Yepez has hit safely in four-straight contests and homered in the last two.
The Cardinals plate 4.8 runs per game thanks to an offense that ranks fifth in the majors with a .254 team batting average. St. Louis gets it done on the mound, too, with a 3.78 team ERA, good enough for 11th in the league.
The Pick is In
St. Louis uses its offense to knock in a few off Garett and send the starter to an early exit. Hudson puts up a solid effort in the hill to limit the Marlins, and the Cardinals jump out to an early lead and lean on their bullpen to keep them there.
The Pick: St. Louis Cardinals ML
