A pair of productive hitters are set to face off when the St. Louis Cardinals (35-51) take on the Miami Marlins (51-37) at loanDepot park on Thursday, as Brendan Donovan and his 20-game on-base streak visit Luis Arraez and his 19-game streak with the home team looking to sweep the four-game series.
The Marlins lead the series 3-0 after winning 10-9 on Wednesday, their fourth straight head-to-head victory. A.J. Puk got the win with one inning of relief.
Bryan De La Cruz went 3 for 4 with a double, two runs, and two RBIs in the win. Nolan Arenado was 3 for 5 with three doubles, two runs, and two RBIs for the Cardinals. Willson Contreras went 3 for 4 with a double, two runs, and two RBIs.
ON THE MOUND
Jack Flaherty (5-5, 4.60 ERA) is in line to start for St. Louis. The RHP threw six scoreless innings in his last start, an 11-4 road win over the Yankees on Saturday.
He got the win, giving up four hits while striking out four and walking two. For Miami, right-hander Eury Perez (5-2, 2.47 ERA) will toe the rubber.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cardinals. In his last start on Saturday, Perez took the loss on the road against the Braves. He threw 0.1 innings and gave up six runs on seven hits in the 7-0 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, St. Louis has averaged 4.4 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.6. Against righties like Perez this season, the Cards have a .759 OPS.
Paul Goldschmidt is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .902 OPS in 244 at-bats. Miami is averaging 6.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.2 for the season, with a higher slash line (.297/.359/.429).
The Fish have a .703 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .928 OPS over 247 at-bats, Arraez has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
St. Louis is on a four-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 18-26 in 2023. The Cards have scored 4.1 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.7 runs. Miami has won five in a row at their home ballpark.
The Fish are 28-16 at home this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. The teams have split their last 10 meetings at loanDepot park, though Miami has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.8-3.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cardinals are fifth in the NL Central, 12 games behind the division-leading Reds. The Marlins are second in the NL East, eight games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Miami Marlins (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
