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Cards look to continue dominance of D-Backs
By: Staff Writer - StatFox
Published: 4/28/2016  at  5:13:00 AM
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By Brad Kallet

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (12-9)

at ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (11-12)

First pitch: Thursday, 9:40 p.m. ET
Line: St. Louis -111, Arizona +101, Total: 9.0

Michael Wacha and the Cardinals look to take three of four from Rubby De La Rosa and the Diamondbacks in the series finale at Chase Field.

After dropping the series opener, 12-7, on Monday, the Cardinals (12-9) have taken two straight from the Diamondbacks (11-12) by a combined score of 19-6 and have a chance to take the series on Thursday night. On the hill for St. Louis will be RHP Michael Wacha (2-0, 2.82 ERA, 15 SO, 7 BB, 0 HR in 22 1/3 IP), who’s been impressive in his first four starts. He’ll be opposed by RHP Rubby De La Rosa (2-3, 5.94 ERA, 18 SO, 6 BB, 3 HR in 16 2/3 IP), who has labored in six appearances (three starts). De La Rosa has his work cut out for him, as the Cardinals lead the major leagues in runs scored (137). We might see some long balls in this one, as Arizona leads the majors in homers (34) and the Cards are tied for second (33) with Colorado. Arizona has the second-most hits in the National League (224), and St. Louis is right behind them (211, T-3rd in NL). What separates these two clubs is their pitching. Mike Matheny’s team owns a respectable 3.86 ERA, compared to Arizona’s dreadful 4.92 mark. The Cardinals have gone an incredible 14-2 against the Diamondbacks over the past three seasons, including an 8-2 record at Chase Field. Arizona is just 4-9 in Phoenix this season.

Rookie SS Aledmys Diaz (.468, 4 HR, 13 RBI, .500 OBP, 8 2B, 1 3B) just continues to defy expectations. The 25-year-old has been the majors’ best hitter in the month of April, which is especially amazing considering he’s been batting in the eight hole in the lineup. Seven-time All-Star Yadier Molina (.333, 0 HR, 10 RBI, .419 OBP, 6 2B, 1 3B) is on fire, and RF Stephen Piscotty (.305, 4 HR, 15 RBI, .380 OBP, 5 2B) has been locked in of late. RF Jeremy Hazelbaker (.310, 5 HR, 13 RBI, .344 OBP), now a bench player, is tied for the club lead in homers with 1B Brandon Moss (.241, 5 HR, 14 RBI, .344 OBP). The Cards haven’t seen much of De La Rosa, as no player on St. Louis’ roster has more than six career at-bats against him. Moss is 2-for-5 with a homer against him, and 3B Matt Carpenter (.253, 3 HR, 16 RBI, .411 OBP) is 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles against the righty. In three career starts against Arizona, Wacha is 0-0 with a 4.59 ERA.

After two consecutive down years, 2B Jean Segura (.350, 4 HR, 15 RBI, .375 OBP, 3 SB)—in his first season with Arizona—has reverted back to his All-Star form. The Diamondbacks have gotten plenty of production from the catcher’s spot, as C Welington Castillo (.250, 6 HR, 12 RBI, .351 OBP) is tied with 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.250, 6 HR, 16 RBI, .431 OBP) for the club lead in homers. In his second big-league season, LF Yasmany Tomas (.288, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 7 2B) looks far more comfortable—and dangerous—at the plate. Chip Hale’s squad hasn’t seen much of Wacha, as only Castillo (2-for-8 with 1 HR and 3 RBI) has faced him more then five times. In two career starts against the Cards, De La Rosa is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA. He faced them once last season, on August 27, and surrendered five earned runs in five innings.


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