Adam Wainwright is lined up for his first start of the season as the St. Louis Cardinals (10-23) face off against the Detroit Tigers (14-17) at Busch Stadium on Saturday.
The Tigers took Friday’s series opener 5-4, their fourth straight victory overall. Matthew Boyd went six innings to get the win, giving up three runs on five hits and striking out six, and Alex Lange struck out the side in the ninth to earn his sixth save.
Javier Baez was 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Paul Goldschmidt’s on-base streak reached 12 games as he went 3 for 5 with two doubles and one run for the Cardinals. Andrew Knizner added a solo home run.
ON THE MOUND
Spencer Turnbull (1-4, 6.84 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Detroit. The right-hander allowed three runs (two earned) over four innings in his last start, a 5-3 road defeat against the Orioles on Sunday.
He was charged with the loss, scattering five hits while striking out three and walking two. For St. Louis, RHP Wainwright will toe the rubber, his season debut. He was 11-12 over 32 starts last season with an ERA of 3.71. He struck out 143 and walked 54 over 191.2 innings.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Detroit has averaged 4.8 runs a game, up from their season average of 3.5, due in part to greater slugging (.454 vs .355).
Against right-handed pitchers like Wainwright this season, the Tigers have a .631 OPS, second lowest in MLB. Matt Vierling is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .810 OPS in 67 at-bats.
St. Louis is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.2 for the season. The Cards have a .733 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .942 OPS over 95 at-bats, Goldschmidt has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Detroit is 6-10 away from home in 2023, scoring 2.8 runs per game while allowing 4.8 runs. St. Louis has lost four in a row at Busch Stadium.
The Cards are 5-12 at home this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.5. Detroit is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at Busch Stadium with an average scoreline of 4.3-4.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Tigers are second in the AL Central, four games behind the division-leading Twins. The Cardinals are fifth in the NL Central, 10 games behind the Pirates.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
St.Louis Cardinals (-190)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
