The St. Louis Cardinals (5-2) visit the Arizona Diamondbacks (2-4) at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona today to open their series.
TV: FS-M, MLB.TV
Radio: Cardinals – KTRS 550, DBacks - KTAR 620, KSUN 1400, and as always you can catch this game and others on Game Day Audio
Here’s a closer fantasy look at the game of the day!
Probable Cardinals starting pitcher: RHP Todd Wellemeyer (0-1, 9.oo era in 2009)
From Joe Strauss of the STL Post-Dispatch - Todd Wellemeyer promised Sunday to demonstrate a different delivery in tonight’s start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Wellemeyer, roughed up for 12 hits and five runs in Wednesday’s start against Pittsburgh, said he would no longer take his hands above his head in the wind-up. He also hopes to eliminate head movement that hurt his command.
Probable Diamondbacks starting pitcher: LHP Doug Davis (0-1, 7.20 era in 2009)
From USA Today - SDoug Davis gets the call for the D-Backs tonight and like Wellemeyer, aims to better his initial start of 2009. The veteran southpaw was reached for four runs over five innings in a home loss to Colorado last Wednesday, striking out four Rockies but also issuing four walks.
The 33-year-old has faced the Cardinals 15 times previously (14 starts) and owns a 4-5 record with a 5.10 ERA against tonight’s opponent. Davis had a pair of no decisions versus St. Louis last season, but surrendered six runs and 15 hits in 10 innings of work.
Fantasy hitting stud for the Cardinals: 1B Albert Pujols. Those who weren’t scared off by his elbow last season were rewarded in a big way. Of Ryan Ludwick is a level below, but put up some crazy numbers last season and theres no reason to think he cant top 30 hr’s again in 2009.
Who’s hot: 2B Felipe Lopez is hitting .300 with 2 hr’s and 4 rbi’s after the 1st week of the season.
Worth keeping an eye on: OF Eric Byrnes. It’s doubtful that Byrnes will ever steal 50 bases again, however after a dreadful 2008 season, he appears to be in great shape and could be a 20/20 guy if he stays healthy.
Fantasy pitching studs for the Cardinals: SP Chris Carpenter was during the early to mid part of this decade, however after pitching only 21 innings in the pas two seasons combined, he has a lot to prove at age if hes to be considered a stud again. Don’t get me wrong, he and Adam Wainwright should be very useful in the middle of fantasy rotations.
Who’s hot: Carpenter. After just saying he has a lot to prove, heres some of that proof. He struck out 7 and only gave up 1 run in 7 innings in his debut. RP Kyle McClellan has been lights out with 1 save and 2 k’s on the season.
Worth keeping an eye on: RP Chris Perez. Though sent down to the minors at the end of spring training in favor of Jason Motte, Motte has done nothing to prove that hes the answer at closer. Perez is working hard in the minors and could find himself in St. Louis very soon.
Fantasy pitching studs for the Diamondbacks: SP Brandon Webb and SP Dan Haren. Webb hasn’t been exceptional this season so far due to an injury, but should still be a front line, elite starter this season.
Who’s hot: Haren has 11 k’s and a 2.08 era in 2 starts, despite being 0-2 on the season. Closer Chad Qualls has 1 save and 2 k’s on the young season, without giving up a run.
Worth keeping an eye on: SP Max Scherzer. Max is hardly an unknown to anyone, but this will be the season that he bolts to the front of everyones mind. He has the potential to be a stud - if not this season, next season for sure.
KEY STAT: St. Louis won four of seven encounters with the Diamondbacks last season but is just 2-8 at Chase Field since the start of the 2006 campaign.
CONNECTIONS: SP Dan Haren pitched for the Cardinals in 2003 and 2004.
Welcome back baseball! It’s game 1 between the Cards and D-Backs. Thanks for checking out Baseballinstinct.com and check back for more game of the day articles.
You must log in to post a comment.