On Sunday, the St. Louis Cardinals (64-64; 30-34 away) will conclude their interleague series against the Minnesota Twins (71-57; 36-25 home) at Target Field. The series began with a strong performance by the Cardinals, who claimed a 6-1 victory. The final game is slated for a 2:10 p.m. EST first pitch, with both teams eager to secure a spot in the postseason. The question remains: who will capitalize on this crucial matchup?
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St. Louis Gaining Momentum
The Cardinals have turned their season around, recently notching their third consecutive win on Friday. As they fight for a position in the NL wild-card standings, stronger performances are essential for St. Louis. On Sunday, they will rely on trade acquisition Erick Fedde. He has faced the Twins twice this season, yielding just one run over 11 innings. However, his overall stats as a Cardinal reflect a 4.98 ERA, and he has struggled on the road with a 4.52 ERA. The team has faced challenges, losing five of his last six outings. After Fedde’s outing, the bullpen, ranked 11th in FIP and 9th in ERA, will take over. Can they establish a winning combination?
With 19 runs scored in their recent winning streak, St. Louis’s offense is firing on all cylinders. This is particularly surprising given that they rank 24th in runs per game (4.12) this season. Their metrics show they are 12th in strikeout rate, 13th in batting average, 16th in on-base percentage (OBP), and 20th in slugging percentage. The team has hit 134 home runs (22nd), stolen 71 bases (22nd), and has a stolen-base success rate of 76% (23rd). Although there are bright spots in the lineup, several underwhelming numbers hinder their progress. Fans are hopeful that they can maintain their momentum as the season approaches its final month.
Minnesota’s Pursuit of the Guardians
The Twins currently trail the Guardians by just two games, despite a loss on Friday. They hold a comfortable lead in the wild-card standings and aim to improve their playoff prospects. On the mound for Minnesota is Zebby Matthews. The rookie has faced some challenges, allowing nine hits and seven runs (four earned) over 10 innings. However, he claimed victory in his lone home start. Supporting him is a Twins bullpen that ranks sixth in FIP and seventh in WAR. Will they be able to hold off the Cardinals on Sunday?
At the plate, the Twins have a reputation for capitalizing on scoring opportunities. They average 4.91 runs per game, placing them sixth in the league. Minnesota ranks sixth in slugging percentage, eighth in OBP, ninth in batting average, and ninth in home runs. Notably, they are managing well without key players like Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton. Despite having only 61 stolen bases (26th) and a 75% success rate (25th), their offense remains effective. The Twins are also positioned 19th in walk rate. Will they be able to muster more than one run in this decisive series finale?
Key Injuries – Byron Buxton; Carlos Correa
Best Bets for St. Louis Cardinals vs. Minnesota Twins
Given Erick Fedde’s impressive performance against the Twins, reflected in his 0.82 ERA, the outlook for Sunday appears favorable. The significant difference this time is the support he will receive from a reliable bullpen and a more functional offense. Fans can expect St. Louis’s pitching to mirror their performance from Friday, potentially leading to another win.
