8:05 pm
September 23

Cardinals @ Royals

Who will WIN this matchup?

St. Louis Cardinals (27-25)

@ Kansas City Royals (22-33)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Martinez (STL): 0-2; 8.40 ERA

Duffy (KC) 3-4; 5.01 ERA

 

Current odds:

St. Louis Cardinals: (-125)

Kansas City Royals: (+105)

 

• Heading into Monday’s three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, a split of the first two games was a reasonable expectation for the St. Louis Cardinals. That’s exactly what they got, though probably not in the order that was expected. The two teams will play the rubber-game of the series Wednesday night. Carlos Martinez (0-2, 8.40 ERA) will get the start for St. Louis (27-25). Danny Duffy (3-4, 5.01 ERA) will get the ball for Kansas City (22-33).

• The Cardinals sent ace Adam Wainwright to the mound Monday against Royals rookie Carlos Hernandez. Wainwright took the 4-1 loss after giving up a two-run single in the sixth to Maikel Franco against the shift. The Cardinals reversed script Tuesday against Royals rookie Brady Singer, who had thrown 14 consecutive scoreless innings, as Austin Gomber threw six shutout innings in a 5-0 St. Louis victory.

• The Cardinals are trying to hold off Cincinnati and Milwaukee for second place, and the playoff spot that goes with it, in the NL Central.  Martinez allowed five runs, though only one was earned, in his last start against Pittsburgh. He will be facing the Royals for the first time this season. For his career, he’s 1-0 with a 1.02 ERA against Kansas City. He’s allowed two earned runs on 16 hits in 17 2/3 innings. He’s struck out 11 and walked just two.

• The Royals, who were eliminated from the postseason race Tuesday, will rely on Duffy to win the rubber game. Duffy also struggled in his last start, though he started strong. He struck out four batters in the first three innings and the Royals led 4-0 after three. But the wheels came off in the fourth. He gave up a leadoff home run to Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich. He gave up another run after allowing two walks and two singles. Then, with the bases loaded and two outs, he gave up a grand slam to Jacob Nottingham for a 6-4 Brewers lead. Duffy has not faced the Cardinals this year, but he’s 2-1 with a 3.91 ERA in his career against the cross-state rivals. He’s struck out 24 and walked just three in 23 career innings.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
St. Louis Cardinals
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