A’s have opportunity to steal series from Cards
Oakland’s 13-21 mark vs. lefty starters is the worst in the American League. Still, the sheer unpredictability of Jaime Garcia gives Bob Melvin’s group a decent chance of taking today’s rubber match from the Cardinals.
Gunning for his 11th victory of the season, the lone southpaw in Mike Matheny’s rotation will toe the Busch Stadium mound at 2:15 p.m. ET. Handicappers at online sports book BetDSI expect Garcia and the Redbirds to move past last night’s 3-2 setback. The A’s represent +158 underdogs, with the over/under run figure resting at eight.
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Nearly a week ago, Garcia (10-9, 4.37 ERA) permitted six runs across just four innings in a 7-4 loss to the Mets. It was his shortest appearance since July 30. Nevertheless, the Mexico native boasts a 34-21 record with a 2.87 ERA in 78 career games at home. He’s also holding opposing batters to a .240 average so far this month.
On the other side, Andrew Triggs (0-1, 4.38) hasn’t had time to develop any sort of a Jekyll-and-Hyde routine. The righty, pressed into duty because of Oakland’s (56-73) slew of hurler-related injuries, makes only his fifth MLB start. Most recently, he limited the Indians to three base knocks over six frames.
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St. Louis (68-60) went uncharacteristically quiet on the offensive end in the middle contest of the series. Triggs’ stuff begs to be hit, though, so look for the NL’s premier bomb squad to have a little matinee fun.
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