Martinezes share stage as Rangers, Cards clash
Runs were at a premium in last night’s Cardinals-Rangers series. There’s little reason to think that this afternoon’s follow-up affair will assume a different direction.
The resurgent Carlos Martinez and promising righty Nick Martinez lock horns at 4:15 p.m. ET. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI prefer the host Redbirds in his spot, whereas Texas is viewed as a +155 underdog. The over/under run figure stands at eight.
Cole Hamels set the tone early last night, confounding the Cards with his trademark changeup and just plain craftiness. Michael Wacha was nearly as sharp for the hosts, but Roughned Odor’s fifth-inning blast provided the only run that Hamels needed in a 1-0 triumph. The lefty is now 5-0 with a 1.64 ERA in seven road assignments this season.
The Rangers’ Martinez can’t boast the same credentials. In fact, he’s rarely ventured outside of the bullpen during the 2016 season. The 25-year-old, who’s filling in for the injured Yu Darvish, makes his first start since Aug. 12. If Martinez can get through six innings, manager Jeff Banister will be ecstatic to let the relief corps handle the rest of the affair.
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Mike Matheny, on the hand, knows his hurler can flirt with a complete game at any time. We’re interested to see how Carlos Martinez responds, though, after firing a career-high 122 pitches in his most recent outing. Expect the fireballer’s lumber-wielding friends, including the recalled Kolten Wong, to provide a fair amount of breathing room.
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