Nationals at Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are beginning to look like contenders again in the National League and are proving it at the expense of some top teams. The Cardinals will try to clinch their second straight series win against a team at the top of the league when they host the Washington Nationals in the second of a three-game series on Saturday.
St. Louis improved to 38-41 with an 8-1 win in Friday's series opener and has won five of its last six games, with the last three of those victories coming over the Arizona Diamondbacks and Washington. A big reason for the surge is the strength of the pitching staff, which allowed four or fewer runs in each of the wins and yielded six hits on Friday to the Nationals, who lead the National League in runs scored. Washington might have a little trouble generating offense at the top of its lineup with Trea Turner (fractured wrist) on the disabled list along with Adam Eaton (knee), leaving the team searching for its third primary leadoff hitter of the season. The Nationals will take their hacks on Saturday against Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha while sending lefty Gio Gonzalez to the hill.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (7-2, 2.87 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (4-3, 4.50)
Gonzalez allowed three or fewer runs in 14 of his 16 starts and each of the last seven, including a six-inning stint against the Chicago Cubs on Monday. The Florida native allowed one run and two hits in that turn but issued five walks - the fourth time this season he walked at least four. Gonzalez faced St. Louis on April 11 and allowed two runs - one earned - and six hits without walking a batter in seven innings to earn a win.
Wacha bounced back from two sub-par outings with a win over Cincinnati on Monday, scattering one run and five hits over six innings. The Texas A&M product could not record an out in the fifth inning in either of his two previous turns and surrendered a total of nine runs - six earned - and 16 hits in eight innings. Wacha is 2-2 with a 1.57 ERA in four career starts against Washington.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington LF Brian Goodwin got the first crack at Turner's leadoff spot on Friday and went 1-for-4.
2. The Cardinals promoted executives John Mozeliak and Michael Girsch and signed both to contract extensions on Friday.
3. St. Louis C Yadier Molina hit safely in each of the last 15 games.