Reds vs. Cardinals: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

The Cardinals are struggling in every facet of the game.

St. Louis isn’t in last place by mistake. Whether it’s pitching, hitting, or defense, the Redbirds have failed to execute consistently in any phase of the game. Entering play today, the Cardinal pitching staff has tallied a 4.67 team ERA placing 13th among all National League clubs. However, what has continually plagued St. Louis hurlers in the early going is their inability to throw strikes.

Cardinals pitchers lead the senior circuit in both hit-by-pitches with 15 to go along with 13 wild pitches. Additionally, the 79 free passes they’ve surrendered are the second-most in the league.

Unfortunately for Cardinals fans, the offense has failed more often the not to pick up the pitching. Producing a team slash line of .225/.306/.395, St. Louis only barely eclipses the NL average of  .390 in the slugging category.

It’s been a particularly brutal start for 35-year-old Matt Carpenter. The longtime Redbird has collected just three hits in 37 at-bats and has gone down on strikes a remarkable 16 times.

However, another veteran Cardinal is off to a sizzling start. Catcher, and noted Reds killer, Yadier Molina, is slashing .322/.369/.593 with four homers and a team-best 12 RBIs. If history is any indication, don’t look for the St. Louis backstop to cool off this weekend.

Not only has the pitching and hitting been sluggish, but the Cardinals have struggled to simply catch the ball on defense. Their 12 errors are the second-most in the NL, and their .981 fielding rate is the third-worst.

The left side of the infield has been the trouble area for the Redbird defense thus far. Shortstop Paul DeJong has committed three errors while eight-time Gold Glove-winning third base Nolan Arenado already has a couple of miscues on the young season.