Cardinals at Reds
The St. Louis Cardinals aim for their fourth straight sweep of the Cincinnati Reds when the teams wrap up a three-game series in Ohio on Sunday. Saturday's 6-4 win over the Reds gave the Cardinals 13 consecutive victories against their divisional foes, the second-longest such run in franchise history.
They have also claimed a club-record 11 straight at Great American Ball Park, including all six matchups along the Ohio River in 2018. Jose Martinez went deep Saturday and owns four home runs, seven RBIs and five runs scored during St. Louis' three-game winning streak. Eduardo Suarez slugged a two-run shot for the Reds, who left 10 runners on base while falling to 10-23 at home. Carlos Martinez spun 13 scoreless innings over consecutive starts against Cincinnati in April and will square off against Anthony DeSclafani for the Reds in the finale.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (3-2, 1.83 ERA) vs. Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (0-1, 7.20)
After giving up eight total runs through his first seven starts, Martinez has allowed six over his last two - four of which were earned. He lasted a season-low four innings while giving up two runs and walking five in a no-decision against Miami on Tuesday. Joey Votto is 3-for-22 but has 11 walks against Martinez, who is 4-2 with a 2.86 ERA in 11 games (six starts) at Great American Ball Park.
DeSclafani's first appearance in the majors since Sept. 28, 2016 resulted in a loss, as he was charged with four runs in five frames of a 9-6 setback against Colorado on Tuesday. He is 4-1 with a sparkling 2.13 ERA in seven career matchups (six starts) versus St. Louis. Matt Carpenter (6-for-14, two homers) has enjoyed some success against the New Jersey native, while Kolten Wong (0-for-11, six strikeouts) has had his issues.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cardinals C Yadier Molina was 2-for-3 on Saturday and is batting .322 in 101 career games at Cincinnati.
2. Reds RF Scott Schebler is 18-for-39 during a nine-game hitting streak.
3. Carpenter is 3-for-7 with a home run, three walks and three runs scored in the series.