A blockbuster three-game series is on tap for the weekend with the red-hot Atlanta Braves traveling to Busch Stadium to take on the St. Louis Cardinals. The Pittsburgh Pirates were the latest to fall to the Braves, who are 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals sit atop the NL Central with the Milwaukee Brewers nipping at their heels. They recently went 3-2 after spending nearly an entire week at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs. Spencer Strider is slated to start at pitcher on Friday against St. Louis’ Jose Quintana.
The Braves have won their last five consecutive series meetings, and it hasn’t been the easiest slate, either. They have series victories over two division leaders in the Houston Astros and New York Mets. So they should have plenty of confidence heading into Busch Stadium on Friday night.
Oh, and they also already have a win over Cardinals starting pitcher Jose Quintana.
The Braves are starting to become dangerous at the right time, and they shouldn’t be slept on as legitimate candidates to repeat as World Series champions. Their offense is already going to be a handful for a Cardinals team with a 4.38 average ERA on the road this season.
But it isn’t just about smacking pitches into orbit for the Braves. They’re also shutting opponents down at the plate and holding them to only 7.73 hits and 3.87 runs per game. Spencer Stride r gets the green light to start on the mound in this game. He’s throwing a 2.95 ERA with a 7-4 record and at least one dominant performance against the Cardinals already.