More games in the NL Central
Intro
The 40-35 Cardinals come off yet another rain-induced doubleheader, and an arduous road trip that somehow was a winning trip AND a disappointing trip at the same time.
The 39-36 Reds make their first appearance in St. Louis this year. They’ve been playing well lately, having won their last four series.
The Pitching Matchups (projected)
Friday – Pallante vs Singer @ 6:15p (all times Central)
Saturday – Gray vs Miley @ 1:15p
Sunday – Mikolas vs Abbott @ 1:15p
Quick peek at the pitching/run prevention
On Friday, 28-year-old right hander Brady Singer takes the mound for the Reds. He sports a 4.35 ERA/4.39 FIP. A 18.7% K rate coupled with a 10% walk rate. He carries a .276 BABIP. Apparently, the Cardinals have not cornered the market on pitchers like this.
On Saturday, 38-year-old lefty Wade Miley faces the Cards. He is yet another left-hander, so will be a tough match for this RH deficient team. His stats are awful, but he has only been pitching for a couple of weeks.
On Sunday, the Reds should roll out 26-year-old lefty Andrew Abbott. He is good and dominated the Cardinals at home earlier this year. 1.84 ERA, 3.49 FIP. 25.5% K rate. 7.4% walk rate. That .237 BABIP might regress soon, but he doesn’t beat himself.
The Red’s defense is very average looking at multiple stats. Their pitching staff overall is 19th by FIP and xFIP.
A peak at the offense
Cincinnati’s offense is ranked 18th in the league by wRC+. This is not a great hitting team. Hoskins, Frelich and Yelich are their best hitters. Yelich has 13 HR. They are not a good baserunning team, 18th in the league in BsR.
Overall
Not much separates these teams, as the standings attest. Cromulent, but not dominant pitching. Good defense, low power offense with an edge to St. Louis. Team record and pythag are spot on.
By the advanced stats the Cardinals are a bit better, but while St. Louis struggles, Cincy appears to be rising.
Cardinal updates
Mcgreevy was 27th man and pitched yesterday. I anticipate him back in six days or so.
After all the pitcher usage yesterday, would not be shocked to see a reliever or two cycled out. Granillo was used twice yesterday (and was good), but he could get the short end of the stick.
One Joshua Baez enjoys hitting in Springfield. 6 HR already in 71 PAs. Man, he is on a roll. I am waiting to see how he handles it when the league catches up and he cools down. Then we will know if he is a legit prospect or not.