The Milwaukee Brewers (48-58) and St. Louis Cardinals (58-49) will close out a National League Central series on Sunday night at Busch Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:05 ET on ESPN
Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals
Milwaukee has lost 11 of its last 15 games and will enter tonight’s series finale with a 4-7 mark against St. Louis for the season, which includes a 6-1 setback on Saturday. The Brewers have been outscored by a sizable 15-4 margin in losing the first two games of this series, as the offense has missed the presence of third baseman Aramis Ramirez in that span. He’s questionable for this affair, which would provide a big lift due to going 9 for 20 in his career against tonight’s opposing starter. Milwaukee is 4-12 on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5, while the “under” is 8-6 in that situation.
Brewers starting pitcher Marco Estrada (0-4, 4.34 ERA) is coming off a no-decision effort that led to an 8-7 home win over the Houston Astros, allowing three runs (two earned) and six hits over seven frames. The right-hander is 0-2 with a 4.71 ERA in eight road outings (four starts), issuing 11 walks and striking out 29 batters in 28.2 combined frames. In six career games versus the Cardinals, Estrada has compiled an 0-2 record and 6.08 ERA.
St. Louis is trying to chase down the Cincinnati Reds in the divisional standings, winning 11 of its last 15 games, while also sitting 2.5 games back of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL Wild Card race. “We’re going to continue to go out and try to win our game,” commented Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright. The Cardinals have been playing great baseball in front of their home fans, winning 14 of 17 at this ballpark, including five straight. St. Louis is 44-24 as a home favorite of -150 to -175 the last two-plus seasons.
Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Lohse (11-2, 2.91 ERA) has led the team to three consecutive victories, including an 11-6 road win over the Colorado Rockies in his last effort, giving up five runs and nine hits over six frames. The right-hander is 5-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 10 home outings, issuing 13 walks and striking out 41 batters in 69 frames. Lohse earned a 7-3 home win over the Brewers in his only start against them this year on April 28.
Sports bettors will likely back the Cardinals due to their 4-0 mark in Lohse’s last four home starts, while the Brewers are 0-5 in Estrada’s last five games as a road underdog.
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