Diamondbacks at Cardinals
Getaway day has been good so far to the St. Louis Cardinals, who host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game series. The Cardinals have won the finale of each of their first two sets this season and will try to continue that trend with the series on the line.
St. Louis evened the set with a 5-3 win on Saturday behind a huge performance by Jose Martinez, who homered and drove in four runs. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Diamondbacks, who have the second-best record in the National League despite a slow start from Paul Goldschmidt. The Cardinals’ bullpen came through with four strong innings on Saturday despite being put to the test in the early stages of the season. St. Louis' rotation has recorded just one quality start, putting extra work on the relievers, but newly signed closer Greg Holland is expected to join the club Monday to help alleviate some of that stress.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Taijuan Walker (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (1-0, 1.80)
With some better luck, Walker might have had a breakout season in 2017, when he suffered six losses in which he allowed three or fewer earned runs. The 25-year-old opened this campaign against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing three runs and eight hits over five innings with two walks and four strikeouts. Walker is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against the Cardinals, both of which took place last year.
Weaver entered his first full season in the majors with huge expectations after a strong showing in 13 appearances last year. The 24-year-old Floridian didn’t disappoint in his first start of 2018, holding the New York Mets to one run and five hits over five frames in a 5-1 win. He only generated two swinging strikes and recorded two strikeouts but didn’t allow much hard contact.
WALK-OFFS
1. St. Louis 3B Matt Carpenter has reached safely in all eight games this season.
2. Arizona OF Chris Owings is 10-for-24 during his seven-game hitting streak.
3. Cardinals OF Marcell Ozuna went 3-for-4 on Saturday and is 11-for-26 during his six-game hitting streak.