Cards prep for visit from red-hot Giants
Johnny Cueto’s three-month tenure in Kansas City last season didn’t quite reflect his true ability. This year’s migration to the West Coast, though, has worked out swimmingly.
The righty attempts to guide the Giants to their 18th win in 22 games tonight, with an 8:15 p.m. ET first pitch in St. Louis. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv give the slight edge to the visiting squad, whereas the Cardinals are considered +110 underdogs. The over/under figure rests at 7.5 runs.
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After a rock-solid start to 2016, Cueto (8-1, 2.31 ERA) is currently in the midst of perhaps the finest stretch of his MLB career. The former All-Star is 5-0 since April 26 and holds a 0.92 ERA through his past five outings. If anyone can match Madison Bumgarner’s recent 11-strikeout performance, it’s this man.
Mike Matheny counters with Adam Wainwright (5-3, 5.71), whose ugly beginning to the campaign becomes more immaterial by the minute. The St. Louis ace boasts a 5-0 mark over his last seven turns, thanks in large part to the team’s lumber specialists. With 293 runs scored, the Cards lead the National League. Only Colorado, at .462, possesses a higher slugging percentage.
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Cueto’s questionable track record at Busch Stadium works in the Redbirds’ favor, too. The 30-year-old owns a lifetime 5.71 ERA there. Matt Adams (.357 batting average) and Matt Holliday (.300) enjoy particular success against Cueto, so prepare for San Francisco’s nice little run to hit a roadblock.
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