Despite the offense that the Cardinals lost from Albert Pujols, they are off to a good start at 7-3 and leading the Central. This production is still coming from the player at first base, but it's not who you think it is.
Matt Carpenter, the Cardinals backup first baseman has been one of the keys to this start, batting .409 with 10 RBI to start the season. Cincinnati comes into town in a three-way tie for second and will be making their first trip to St. Louis tonight. Here is a preview of what is to come.
Game 1:Â Tuesday April 17th - 8:15 pm ET - Johnny Cueto (1-0 2.25 ERA) vs. Kyle Lohse (2-0 1.35 ERA)
Preview
Kyle Lohse is off to a great start this season. He has gone six+ innings in his first two starts and has only allowed one run in both outings. During the 13.1 innings pitched, he has only walked one batter. His control has been solid and he will play a huge factor in the opening series of this rivalry.
Johnny Cueto is also off to a good start, posting a low ERA in his first two outings. In his first outing against the Cardinals back in Cincinnati, his team walked away with the victory and he got a no decision after giving up three runs on six hits in his short five innings of work.
Offense has been the key for the Cardinals this season, but tonight, pitching will be the name of the game; look for these two pitchers to come out and dominate the lineups early and try to set the tone for their team and for the series. Kyle Lohse will have to pick up the slack not only in this game, but early during the season because of the injury to Carpenter. So far, he has proven he can take over that role and hopefully he can keep going at the pace he is at.
The Reds will need continued production out of the middle of their lineup and also from the outstanding rookie Zack Cozart. Cotzart is leading their team in batting and runs scored. Lohse needs to keep him off of the bases tonight to be successful because the former NL MVP Joey Votto is hitting right behind Cozart, which could leave Lohse in some trouble.
Tonight's X-Factor:Â Jon Jay
For the Cardinals to come out with the victory tonight, they will need production at every part of their lineup. Jon Jay will be batting in the seventh spot tonight which will give him some chances to drive in runs with the likes of Berkman, Freese, and Molina batting in front of him. Jon Jay is 9-for-18 lifetime against Cueto with three homers and seven RBI.
My Prediction
The Cardinals will pull out the victory with a 4-2 win and Lohse will get his third victory of the season.
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