Upcoming Match-ups

Cardinals Look to Win Series Over D-backs and Spark Season Turnaround

Cory Huybregts

by Cory Huybregts in MLB Baseball

Updated Jul 4, 2018 · 10:12 AM PDT

Paul Goldschmidt rounds the bases.
Paul Goldschmidt is changing zip codes after eight seasons with the Diamondbacks. Photo by Keith Allison (flickr)
  • The Diamondbacks will look to win their series against the Cardinals and add to their NL West lead
  • The Cardinals are running out of time and sit 6.5 games out of first in the NL Central
  • First pitch is at 10:10 p.m. EST at Chase Field

As we approach the dog days of summer, the Diamondbacks and Cardinals are trending in opposite directions. The Diamondbacks sit first in the NL West with a 1.5 game lead over the Dodgers. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are 6.5 games behind the Brewers and have only one win in their last six series.

It doesn’t get easier for the Cardinals, as they are in the midst of playing 23 consecutive games against teams that are over .500. The Cards have only missed the postseason in consecutive seasons once, but they are seriously facing that reality again this year. St. Louis has high standards and many are already calling the team pretenders instead of contenders.

The Diamondbacks, on the other hand, keep rolling thanks to contributions from Paul Goldschmidt, who was voted NL player of the month for June. He is hitting .413 with 11 home runs and 28 RBI’s over the last 26 games. The Diamondbacks have 22 wins since the end of May, and closer Brad Boxberger has 20 saves in 24 chances.

All-Star Pitchers

The final game of the series features two pitchers who should be consider potential All-Star candidates. Cardinals right-handers Mike Mikolas and Diamondbacks southpaw Patrick Corbin both rank in the top ten among NL pitchers in ERA, WHIP, and WAR.  Mikolas has less strikeouts but pitches for contact and ground outs. Corbin is tied for second in strikeouts. Both have are tied for second in the NL with a .99 WHIP, and both have five shutouts.

Cardinals right-handers Mike Mikolas and Diamondbacks southpaw Patrick Corbin both rank in the top ten among NL pitchers in ERA, WHIP, and WAR.

Corbin and Mikolas would have more wins but receive lower then league average run support. Mikolas in his last outing allowed one run on seven hits, with one walk and a strikeout in 6.1 innings and still took the loss. Corbin allowed one run on four hits over six innings, with five strikeouts and one walk in a no decision against the Giants. Corbin has 17:1 K:BB in his last 13 outings with Mikolas tossing 21:6 K:BB for the month of June. This game is set up to be a low-scoring pitcher’s duel.

Team Stats

Cardinals
VS
Diamondbacks
43-41, 20-19 away RECORD 48-38, 24-20 home
Miles Mikolas, 8-3, 2.61 ERA STARTING PITCHERS Patrick Corbin, 6-3, 3.14 ERA
1-4 LAST 5 GAMES 1-4
106 Team HR 95
.241 Team BA .229
1.28 WHIP 1.22
.240 OPP BA .236

Opening Odds

MONEYLINE RUNLINE O/U RUNS
Cardinals +124 Cardinals +1.5(-170) OVER 8(+105)
Diamondbacks -144 Diamondbacks -1.5(+150) UNDER 8 (-125)

Cardinals vs Diamondbacks Score Prediction

This matchup it set to be a low scoring game. The Cardinals left 11 stranded runners last game. If their bats wake up, they could squeeze out a win. However, the bats have yet to produce much this season, so go with the Diamondbacks.

Diamondbacks 3 – Cardinals 1.


Check out our MLB betting hub for the latest odds for every MLB game today.

Author Image