Colorado @ St. Louis preview
Busch Stadium
Last Meeting ( May 10, 2013 ) Colorado 0, St. Louis 3
The red-hot St. Louis Cardinals got a dominant outing from a rookie pitcher to open a three-game series with the visiting Colorado Rockies, and now they get to hand the ball to their ace. The Cardinals will turn to Adam Wainwright to try to deliver their third straight win and their ninth in 10 games when the series continues Saturday. Colorado has dropped 12 of its last 18 after a hot start.
The Rockies entered the series with a National League-best .276 batting average and .451 slugging percentage on the road, but they were limited to one hit — a single by Eric Young Jr. to lead off the game — against rookie Shelby Miller. Colorado rang up 13 strikeouts in the game and has struck out 10 or more times in 11 games already this season.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Colorado), Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jhoulys Chacin (3-1, 2.56 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (4-2, 2.72)
Chacin had won three straight starts before heading to the disabled list with a back strain last month, and he couldn't keep the streak going in his return to the mound Sunday against Tampa Bay. He allowed six runs (five earned) over seven innings and was tagged with the loss in his first outing since April 19. Chacin is 0-1 with an 8.00 ERA in two games (one start) against the Cardinals.
After winning four straight starts, Wainwright is winless in his last two outings and he's coming off his worst showing of the season. He allowed five runs on 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings Saturday at Milwaukee, but he didn't get a decision, as the Cardinals rallied to win. Wainwright is 4-1 with a 1.45 ERA in nine games (five starts) against Colorado.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cardinals C Yadier Molina is riding a 10-game hitting streak, the longest by a St. Louis player this season. Molina is 2-for-5 against Chacin.
2. Colorado rookie 3B Nolan Arenado is hitless in his last 14 at-bats after going 0-for-3 Friday. His average is down to .227.
3. Veteran RHP Roy Oswalt made his first start at extended spring training for the Rockies on Friday and allowed four runs (one earned) in three innings. His fastball was clocked between 90 and 92 mph.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Rockies 2