The Diamondbacks gave up a lot to get Shelby Miller. So far he hasn’t repaid them. There have been some shaky outings and even a stint in the outfield – though that came out of necessity. Miller gets another chance to break out of his funk when he faces his former team on Tuesday.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The Cardinals continue their seven-game trip through the NL West with a visit to the Diamondbacks. After winning the final two games in San Diego by scoring a total of 19 runs, the Cards moved two games above .500. It’s been a lackluster beginning for the Redbirds, who carry the burden of being one of those franchises that has sky high expectations year in and year out.
Typically a team that dominates with exceptional pitching, the Cards are riding a potent offense so far in 2016. They rank second in the majors in runs per game and team batting average while having the best OPS in baseball. St. Louis played above the total in each of the last two games in San Diego and the over is 6-3 in its nine road games heading into Arizona.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Carlos Martinez (3-0, 2.70 ERA) has won each of his first three starts for the Cardinals, going at least six innings each time out, including a seven-inning, one-run outing against the Cubs on Wednesday. He allowed just three hits, three walks and fanned five. The only run he allowed in the 5-3 victory was a solo homer.
Martinez has given up a long ball in each of his last two starts, but overall opposing hitters are batting just .178 against him. He has two starts in five career appearances against the D-Backs with a 1-0 record and 2.93 ERA across 15.1 innings.
Shelby Miller (0-1, 8.59 ERA) lost command of his pitches and walked the first four batters of the third inning against the Giants and was replaced. He has been plagued with command and mechanics issues most of this season, particularly his last two outings. Miller has walked eight while recording just 11 outs combined in those starts.
The next start for Miller was in question but a side session over the weekend was encouraging. While his season is off to a rugged start, the fact that it is mechanics-related and not injury-related is a positive sign for the D-Backs and Miller.
LIVE BETTING
National League pitchers better be wary when Paul Goldschmidt gets in the box. Arizona’s slugging first baseman go off to rocky start, but he’s picked up the pace recently. Goldschmidt clobbered a pair of home runs in Sunday’s extra-inning loss to Pittsburgh and has hit safely in seven of his last eight games.
Following an 0 for 3 night in San Diego on Apr. 15, Goldy went 10 for 29 in the next eight games to raise his average from .200 to .261. He also worked 12 of his 15 walks during that span to raise his OBP over 100 points to .422. Overall the numbers still aren’t up to Goldschmidt’s standards, but they are trending upward and that could be troublesome for the Cardinals.
QUICK PICK
The Diamondbacks sure didn’t see the struggles of Miller coming, nor did Miller himself. Eight walks in 3.2 innings over his last two starts is a concern, but a bullpen session over the weekend was encouraging and Miller gets another start. The good news is that the problem is with mechanics and not an injury, so it’s just a matter of time before the righty returns to the form that won him 25 games between 2013-14 while with the Cardinals.
MLB Odds: Arizona 6, St. Louis 4
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