Can Cardinals contain Arenado, Rockies?
Since 2010, the Cardinals own a 17-5 record at Busch Stadium against the Rockies. Such numbers meant very little on Tuesday.
Colorado nipped St. Louis in the series opener, 3-1, making tonight’s assignment doubly important for Adam Wainwright. Not only will the righty attempt to stabilize a rocky personal body of work so far this year, he hopes to end a stretch in which the Cards have dropped three of four.
Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI believe in Mike Matheny’s longtime ace. Wainwright and the Redbirds represent 1.5-run favorites at Busch Stadium, while the Rockies enter as +147 underdogs. The over/under figure holds steady at eight runs.
Thankfully for Wainwright (3-3, 6.80 ERA), he’s usually nothing but nails vs. Walt Weiss’ group. The three-time All-Star is 6-1 with a 1.56 ERA in eight career meetings with Colorado. He’s won his last five encounters, venturing into at least the eighth frame in each of the last three.
Another lengthy outing may be completely necessary if St. Louis’ offensive woes persist. The heart of the order simply could not crack Chad Bettis last night, with Matt Carpenter, Stephen Piscotty, Matt Holliday and Matt Adams combining to go 0 for 14. Weiss turns to lefty Chris Rusin (1-1, 4.85) here. He’s likely fighting to stay in the rotation after back-to-back putrid performances. Rusin was rocked for seven runs and 13 hits in a defeat to San Francisco on May 5 before yielding four runs and 10 base knocks through 5 2/3 innings of a loss to Arizona a week ago.
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The Rockies recognize the cracks in their pitching staff quite well. An undeniable positive, however, remains the Nolan Arenado-fronted lineup. The lumber has propelled the team to a six-game winning streak, and there’s no reason to expect a drop-off against a reeling hurler right now.
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