Miami @ St. Louis preview
Busch Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 5, 2013 ) Miami 1, St. Louis 4
The St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins opened their three-game series with a result indicative of their respective lots in the standings, as opposed to how they've been recently playing. The Marlins will look to exact revenge and even the series when they reconvene at Busch Stadium to face the Cardinals on Saturday. Allen Craig, Matt Holliday and Matt Adams had RBI doubles as St. Louis posted just its fourth win in 12 outings with a 4-1 triumph Friday.
While the Cardinals remained two games behind first-place Pittsburgh in the National League Central, Miami likely hasn't paid much mind to the standings in quite some time. However, the Marlins have been playing well of late - winning 10 of 14 contests - although Logan Morrison's mammoth homer proved to be the lone highlight in the series opener. Morrison has gone deep three times in his last five contests versus St. Louis.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida (Miami), Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 2.00 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Joe Kelly (0-3, 3.86)
Eovaldi has gotten progressively better in each start since returning from the 60-day disabled list. The 23-year-old scattered four hits over six scoreless frames in a no-decision versus San Diego on June 29. Eovaldi also pitched well in his one career outing against St. Louis - accepting a no-decision despite yielding one run on five hits in as many innings.
Kelly has fared well in long relief over his last two outings - issuing one run on eight hits in 10 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old has yet win at home this season, posting an 0-3 mark while surrendering 20 hits over 18 innings. Kelly has made one relief appearance versus Miami, striking out one in two-thirds of an inning.
WALK-OFFS
1. St. Louis closer Edward Mujica showed no ill effects of blowing his first save opportunity of the season Thursday. He worked a perfect ninth against Miami for his 22nd save.
2. After going 6-for-12 in his previous three contests, Cardinals C Yadier Molina went hitless in four at-bats in the series opener. Molina is 0-for-2 in his career versus Eovaldi.
3. Miami RF Giancarlo Stanton, who also went hitless in four at-bats Friday, is 0-for-13 in his last three contests.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Marlins 1