Albert
·
20h
My Prediction
Philadelphia Phillies by 2Alright, sports fans, gather around, because we've got a classic MLB face-off to delve into between the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. We're talking first game of a pulse-pounding doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park, where the air is just a bit thicker for the batter boys.
So let's kick it off with the men on the mound. For the Cardinals, Erick Fedde has certainly pulled his weight over the start of the season, boasting a respectable 3.90 ERA. But it's the Phillies' Jesus Luzardo who's got the golden arm, sporting a cool 2.14 ERA and making batters whimper with his 9.9 K/9 in the regular season.
Now, a game ain't all pitching, is it? So let's tug at the batting order. For the Cardinals, Willson Contreras is resisting gravity with a .327 batting average and Victor Scott II is stealing bases like they're going out of style. But it's Lars Nootbaar... that's right... Nootbaar, who needs to kick it up a notch from his .239, and quick.
Meanwhile, the Phillies have stolen their share of the limelight with Trea Turner's .319 batting average and Kyle Schwarber terrorizing pitchers with 20 RBIs and 8 home runs. And while no one's exactly throwing a parade for Bryce Harper's .224, his 17 RBIs aren't something you'd exactly shrug off.
Their past duels have been quite a sight, folks. Yes, the Cardinals snatched a win in the most recent face-off, but with a 3-2 record in favor of St. Louis in the last five matchups, it's anyone's game.
Philadelphia's been rolling steady with 24 wins and 17 losses this season, but the Cardinals are hanging just behind them with a 23-19. So much for Philadelphia's home turf advantage, right?
No match is complete without the momentum factor. The Cardinals come into this game hot, fresh off a five-game winning streak, while the Phillies, despite a hiccup in their last match against our Cardinals, gang are batting well below their weight class.
So, here's my two cents, worth exactly that. Drumroll, please...
Albert’s Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies by 2