The St. Louis Cardinals (1-2, 1-2 away) continue a season-opening road swing against the Miami Marlins (1-2, 1-2 home) in National League play. The two teams plan to play a 3-game set that concludes on Wednesday. Monday’s first pitch is at 6:40 p.m. inside loanDepot Park in Miami, FL. You can get either team on the moneyline at -105, according to oddsmakers.
What to Know – St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis opened up the 2021 season, dropping one of two to the Cincinnati Reds. The Cardinals took the season-opener but failed to manufacture enough runs in games two and three. St. Louis was the preseason favorite (+105) to win the NL Central and +250 to win the World Series.
Daniel Ponce de Leon makes his pitching debut for the visitors. The right-hander concluded the 2020 shortened season with a 1-3 record, 4.96 ERA, and 1.32 WHIP over eight starts. Ponce de Leon struck out 45 batters over 32.2 innings pitched last season.
First baseman Paul Goldschmidt and third baseman Nolan Arenado each have got off to a hot start to the season, batting .385 (5-for-13) apiece. Arenado connected on his first home run as a Cardinal in game two against the Reds. Outfielder Dylan Carlson added a grand slam in the opener, his only hit of the season.
The Cardinals’ pitching staff has not gotten off to a good start sporting a 7.94 ERA. From starters to relievers, St. Louis hasn’t received the production they need from their arms.
What to Know – Miami Marlins
Miami concluded a six-game home stretch to start the season, welcoming St. Louis to South Beach. The Marlins took on Tampa Bay over the weekend, losing the series 1-2. Miami is +250 to win the NL East and +800 to take the World Series.
The Marlins are sending Trevor Rogers to the mound to make his first start of the season. Rogers made his rookie debut last year, posting a 1-2 record in seven starts. Rogers ended with a 6.11 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and struck out 39 batters over 28 innings pitched.
Outfielder Starling Marte finished the opening series hitting .500 (7-of-14) and leading the team with ten total bases. First baseman Jesus Aguilar adds a .400 (4-for-10) with two runs scored, hitting out of the three-hole for Miami. Aguilar collected two RBI in Saturday’s series finale against the Rays.
Miami struggled to string hits together and struck out 25% of the time as a team. The Marlins only had ten extra-base hits over the series and hit .267 as a team.
The Pick is In
St. Louis did not get off to the start they would have liked, dropping a series to an NL Central foe. The Marlins struggled in the first two games against the defending AL pennant winners, exploding for 12 runs in the finale. Both of these starters have excellent swing-and-miss stuff, but expect some nerves to creep in during their first starts of the season. The duo of Goldschmidt and Arenado combine for four RBI to help the Cardinals capture the series openers.
The Pick: St. Louis Cardinals ML
