One more offensive bash for D-backs, Cards?
Chase Field enjoys a reputation for being a hitter-friendly park. The current rate at which balls are flying out of Arizona’s home venue, however, makes even those Coors Field occupants jealous.
The Diamondbacks and Cardinals bring their explosive series to a conclusion tonight, with a 9:40 p.m. ET first pitch in the desert. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI favor the visitors to take the four-game set. As for the over/under, that figure sits at nine runs.
St. Louis smashed its way to an 11-4 triumph roughly 24 hours ago. Winners of four of five, the Cards are shooting for six consecutive contests with at least seven runs and 11 base knocks. In terms of individual standouts, rookie shortstop Aledmys Diaz is riding a seven-game hitting streak. His slash line of .468/.500/.823 continues to astound the masses.
The D-backs boast considerable offensive prowess of their own. A balanced attack has produced a National League-high 34 homers. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt launched his sixth bomb of the campaign on Wednesday, while shortstop Jean Segura notched two more singles to raise his average to .350.
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In spite of such lofty numbers with the sticks, though, this evening boils down to the mound matchup. Michael Wacha (2-0, 2.82 ERA) pursues his fourth quality start in a row, having tossed six innings in each of his last three. On the flip side, Arizona’s Rubby De La Rosa (2-3, 5.94) continues to sputter. (He last completed more than six frames back on Aug. 21.) Look for the Diamondbacks’ home ERA of 6.77 to only balloon further.
THURSDAY MLB FREE PICK: CARDINALS -1.5
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