The St. Louis Cardinals (80-77) are aiming for a series victory as they take on the Colorado Rockies (60-97) in the concluding game of their three-game series on Thursday afternoon. This matchup will unfold at Coors Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 3:10 PM ET.
Kyle Gibson, boasting an 8-8 record and a 4.13 ERA, will take the mound for the Cardinals. The Rockies will respond with Kyle Freeland, who holds a 5-8 record and a 4.95 ERA.
In their last ten encounters, St. Louis holds a favorable 6-4 record against Colorado.
**This preview was created prior to Wednesday’s game.**
For those interested in MLB predictions, the insights provided are highly reliable.
Cardinals Seek to Secure Third Series Win
The Cardinals have showcased solid performance recently, securing consecutive series victories against the Pirates and Guardians. After winning the initial game of this series, they aim to extend their success and clinch a third straight series win on Thursday.
St. Louis averages 4.09 runs per game, with a .246 batting average that ranks 13th in the league. Their on-base percentage stands at .310, placing them 15th, while their slugging percentage of .388 is 21st overall.
Brendan Donovan currently leads the Cardinals with a .274 batting average, while Alec Burleson tops the team with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs.
Despite the team’s offensive capabilities, St. Louis’ pitching has left room for improvement, allowing an average of 4.01 runs per game. Opponents are hitting .247 against them, ranking 23rd in the league. Their 4.04 ERA sits at 17th, and a WHIP of 1.25 is 16th in the league.
In Gibson’s most recent outing, he surrendered six hits and four runs over six innings, resulting in a 5-1 defeat against Cleveland. A stronger performance will be essential for the Cardinals’ chances of victory.
Rockies Aim to Break Losing Streak
The Rockies recently transitioned from a series win against Arizona to a disappointing loss against the Dodgers. Having dropped four of their last five matchups, they hope to reverse this trend with a win on Thursday.
Colorado is currently averaging 4.22 runs per game, with a .241 batting average placing them 19th in the league. Their on-base percentage of .303 is 23rd, while their slugging percentage of .400 ranks 14th.
Brendan Rodgers leads the Rockies with a .267 batting average, while Ezequiel Tovar has emerged as a power hitter, leading the team with 25 home runs and 74 RBIs.
However, Colorado’s pitching remains a significant concern, allowing an average of 5.28 runs per game. Opponents are hitting .284 against them, the worst in the league. Their 5.40 ERA and 1.51 WHIP also rank at the bottom of the league.
In Freeland’s last appearance, he allowed seven hits and four runs across six innings, contributing to a 6-4 loss against the Dodgers. For the Rockies to secure a win, he must deliver a more effective performance.
Brendan Rodgers (Undisclosed) and Brenton Doyle (Knee) are currently listed as questionable for this matchup.
Predictions and Betting Insights for Cardinals vs. Rockies
The Cardinals have shown resilience, winning six of their last eight contests, while the Rockies have struggled, losing four of their last five. St. Louis has outperformed Colorado offensively, scoring 15 runs in their last three games compared to the Rockies’ 13 runs during the same stretch. The Cardinals hold a distinct advantage, especially given Freeland’s recent struggles on the mound, where he has given up seven runs in his last two starts and 10 runs over his last three home starts. With Colorado’s bullpen ranking as the league’s weakest, they may find it challenging to contain the Cardinals’ offense. Conversely, Gibson has been more consistent, allowing only four earned runs in his last three starts, with just two earned runs given up in his last two road games. This suggests that the Cardinals are positioned well to cover the money line in this game.
