The St. Louis Cardinals close out their series in San Diego against the Padres on Thursday. The Cardinals are the leaders of the NL Central. St. Louis has won six of their last ten games. The Cardinals are averaging 4.8 runs per game which ranks 4th best in the MLB. Paul Goldschmidt leads the Cardinals with 35 home runs on the season.'
Jack Flaherty will make his 7th start on the mound for the Cardinals. Flaherty is 0-1 on the season with 23 innings pitched. Flaherty has 17 strikeouts, 16 walks, and carries a 5.09 ERA. Flaherty pitched 5 innings in each of his last three starts. Flaherty has allowed 8 runs and 18 hits over his last three starts.'
The San Diego Padres are fighting down the stretch to hold onto a National League Wildcard spot. The Padres have won six of their last ten games and rank 2nd in the NL West. San Diego is averaging 8.1 hits per game. Manny Machado leads the Padres with 157 hits on the season.'