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The Cards are 11-11. They appear to be an average team and very similar to the Indians - great pitching, the hitting not so much. The Cardinals are 3rd in the majors in team ERA, right behind the Tribe. They're 24th in runs per game, just above the Tribe. This could be another very low scoring series similar to the games against the Twins.
However, the Tribe has one thing in their favor and that is the fact that the Cardinals had to take over two weeks off due to the virus. Since they resumed playing they have played 13 days without a day off, including four double-headers. In fact, they played a double-header last night, losing both games at home to the woeful Pirates and scoring 3 runs in 15 innings. These boys have got to be exhausted after playing 17 games in 13 days and having to get after it again tonight after 15 innings yesterday.
McKenzie goes tonight against right-hander Daniel Ponce de Leon, who is 0-2, 5.75. In 12 innings of work he's given up 10 walks and 8 hits, so it pays to be patient at the plate. Opposing batters are hitting only .182, but the walks and home runs have hurt him. He's given up three HR's in three starts. The farthest he's pitched is 4.2 innings. If the Indians can work him for some walks and get a big hit early and also run up his pitch count and get to their middle relievers they should have a good chance to win.
Cookie goes against Jack Flaherty (2-0, 1.98) on Saturday afternoon. In his last start he shut out the Royals on one hit for five innings. He has a career 3.15 ERA and opposing batters are hitting .160 this season. Right-handed hitters are 3-for-21 against him and his home ERA is 1.50. This guy will be tough to score on. Hopefully Carrasco will be better than he's been his last three starts, but this game looks like it will be tough to win.
Civale goes against 38-year-old Adam Wainwright in the finale. Wainright has had a great career (164-95, 3.38), all with the Cardinals. Batters are hitting .198 off him this year. He's 2-0 with a 2.88 ERA. Another tough nut to crack. Runs are going to be difficult to find this weekend. Both teams may be playing small ball anticipating 2-1 or 3-2 games.
Former Tribesman Brad Miller, who left the team in a huff, is off to a great start at third base, hitting .318/1.015. Paul Goldschmidt is hitting .333/.985 at first base. Other than those two nobody has been all that impressive at the dish.
The Cardinals have seven pitchers on the injured list and having played 17 games in 13 days their bullpen may be a little overworked. They're averaging about 3.5 innings per game and Fangraphs has them ranked 21st in xFIP.
However, the Tribe has one thing in their favor and that is the fact that the Cardinals had to take over two weeks off due to the virus. Since they resumed playing they have played 13 days without a day off, including four double-headers. In fact, they played a double-header last night, losing both games at home to the woeful Pirates and scoring 3 runs in 15 innings. These boys have got to be exhausted after playing 17 games in 13 days and having to get after it again tonight after 15 innings yesterday.
McKenzie goes tonight against right-hander Daniel Ponce de Leon, who is 0-2, 5.75. In 12 innings of work he's given up 10 walks and 8 hits, so it pays to be patient at the plate. Opposing batters are hitting only .182, but the walks and home runs have hurt him. He's given up three HR's in three starts. The farthest he's pitched is 4.2 innings. If the Indians can work him for some walks and get a big hit early and also run up his pitch count and get to their middle relievers they should have a good chance to win.
Cookie goes against Jack Flaherty (2-0, 1.98) on Saturday afternoon. In his last start he shut out the Royals on one hit for five innings. He has a career 3.15 ERA and opposing batters are hitting .160 this season. Right-handed hitters are 3-for-21 against him and his home ERA is 1.50. This guy will be tough to score on. Hopefully Carrasco will be better than he's been his last three starts, but this game looks like it will be tough to win.
Civale goes against 38-year-old Adam Wainwright in the finale. Wainright has had a great career (164-95, 3.38), all with the Cardinals. Batters are hitting .198 off him this year. He's 2-0 with a 2.88 ERA. Another tough nut to crack. Runs are going to be difficult to find this weekend. Both teams may be playing small ball anticipating 2-1 or 3-2 games.
Former Tribesman Brad Miller, who left the team in a huff, is off to a great start at third base, hitting .318/1.015. Paul Goldschmidt is hitting .333/.985 at first base. Other than those two nobody has been all that impressive at the dish.
The Cardinals have seven pitchers on the injured list and having played 17 games in 13 days their bullpen may be a little overworked. They're averaging about 3.5 innings per game and Fangraphs has them ranked 21st in xFIP.