Arizona Diamondbacks at St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
Friday night features the second of a four-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks (8-12) and the St. Louis Cardinals (11-7). The Cardinals will host this one at Busch Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:15 pm ET.
The Cardinals were able to win the first game on Thursday, 8-3. In the win, Dakota Hudson went six scoreless innings, allowing one hit, three walks, and struck out four.
Former Arizona Diamondback Paul Goldschmidt led the Cardinals’ attack as he went three for four with three runs batted in. In total, St. Louis had 15 hits on the day.
For Arizona, Humberto Castellanos took the loss as he allowed five runs in just two innings of work. Corbin Martin wasn’t a whole lot better as he gave up three runs in 3.1 innings of relief.
Offensively, right fielder Pavin Smith had a home run and two runs batted in for the Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals are the favorites on Friday playing at home. They are -190 to win while the Diamondbacks’ moneyline sits at +160. The runline features Arizona +1.5 (-150), and the over/under for total runs is 7.5.
Pitching Matchup
Arizona will turn to veteran lefty Madison Bumgarner (0-1, 1.00 ERA) to try to even the series in this one. In his last start, against the Mets, he went five innings allowing just one run (no earned runs), and struck out four.
The Cardinals will counter with their own veteran as righty Adam Wainwright will take the mound. This season, he is 2-2 in four starts with a 3.86 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and has 22 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched.
Arizona Trying To Stay Competitive In The Division
Just 20 games into the season, the Arizona Diamondbacks already sit 5.5 games back of the first place in the NL West. Trying to stay more competitive this season, they will look to improve on their 3-5 road record Friday.
Arizona’s offense ranks 11th in home runs this season with 18, but they have struggled to consistently score runs. In fact, they rank 25th in runs scored with just 60 on the season.
Part of the problem is that they have a bit of an all-or-nothing approach. For instance, Dalton Varsho and Christian Walker lead the team with four home runs apiece, but they are both hitting under .200 on the season.
Walker is one to keep an eye on in this one, though. In nine at bats against Wainwright in his career, he is hitting .444 with a home run and three runs batted in.
Cardinals Trying To Keep Trends Versus Arizona Going
Arizona is a team that the Cardinals have had a lot of success against recently. In their last six games, the Cardinals are unbeaten when playing the Diamondbacks at Busch Stadium.
The Cardinals currently rank 12th in runs scored this season (80) and have been led by Nolan Arenado, who is hitting .382/.455/.691 with a team-leading five home runs and 17 runs batted in.
It is worth noting that Arenado was suspended for his role in a bench-clearing incident with the Mets earlier this week, but if he appeals, he will still be able to play Friday night.
Paul Goldschmidt has had a lot of success to date against lefty Madison Bumgarner. In 71 at bats, the first baseman is hitting .338 with three home runs and 14 runs batted in. Arenado (three), Paul DeJong (two), Harrison Bader, Tyler O’Neill, and Albert Pujols have also homered off the lefty in their careers.
Diamondbacks/Cardinals Betting Prediction
Even though Madison Bumgarner has gotten off to a better start this year than last, it is still hard to have a lot of confidence in the Diamondbacks right now.
Their offense is anemic and could face an uphill battle with Adam Wainwright on the mound. It also doesn’t help that Cardinals’ sluggers have had a lot of success against Bumgarner in their careers.
At the very least, expect the Cardinals to win this home game, but don’t be surprised if they cover the -1.5 runline as well.
