The San Francisco Giants (8-13) will have their work cut out for them against Jordan Montgomery at Oracle Park on Monday when the impressive left-hander takes the mound for the St. Louis Cardinals (9-13) for the opener of a four-game series. The Cardinals are in the midst of a 10-game road trip.
They won only one out of three in their last series against the Mariners, taking the finale 7-3 on Sunday at T-Mobile Park. Paul DeJong was 3 for 4 with a solo home run. Lars Nootbaar went 3 for 5 with a home run and two runs.
The Giants are in the midst of an eight-game homestand. They split their last series against the Mets, taking the finale 5-4 on Sunday at Oracle Park.
Thairo Estrada’s on-base streak is up to 10 as he went 1 for 3 with a home run and two runs.The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Cardinals won four of the seven games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Busch Stadium in May.
ON THE MOUND
Montgomery (2-2, 2.45 ERA) is set to take the mound for St. Louis. The left-hander allowed seven runs over four innings in his last start, an 8-7 road defeat against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. He was charged with the loss, yielding 10 hits while striking out two.
For San Francisco, RHP Alex Cobb (0-1, 2.79 ERA) takes the mound. Cobb made one start against the Cardinals in 2022, throwing five innings in a 3-2 home defeat on May 6. He gave up three hits and walked one, while striking out eight in the no-decision.
In his last start on Wednesday, Cobb took a no-decision on the road against the Marlins. He threw five innings and gave up one run on seven hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 5-2 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The St. Louis offense is averaging 4.7 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .270/.348/.434. Four Cardinals hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Nolan Gorman (1.054). The third baseman is slashing .313/.397/.657 with six home runs, 22 RBIs, and seven runs over 20 games.
Over the last five games, however, St. Louis has averaged 6.8 runs a game partially due to increased slugging (.491). Against right-handed pitchers like Cobb this season, the Cards have a .752 OPS. Gorman also is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a 1.134 OPS in 62 at-bats.
San Francisco is slashing .236/.317/.412 for the season and averaging 4.5 runs per game. Four Giants hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Estrada (.915).
The left fielder has four home runs, seven RBIs, and 17 runs scored with a slash line of .329/.384/.532. The Giants have a .608 OPS against left-handers in 2023, third lowest in MLB. With a 1.104 OPS over 30 at-bats, Wilmer Flores has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
St. Louis is 4-5 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. San Francisco has gone 4-6 at Oracle Park this season, averaging 3.6 runs per game while surrendering 5.3. The teams have split their last 10 games at Oracle Park with an average scoreline of 4.6-4.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cardinals are fourth in the NL Central, six games behind the division-leading Pirates. The Giants are fourth in the NL West, three games behind the Dodgers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
St.Louis Cardinals (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
