June 3, 2016
8:15 PM ET, 7:15 PM CT, 6:15 PM MT, 5:15 PM PT
Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
TV: CSBA, FSMW, MLBN
RADIO: KMOX 1120
J. Cueto (8-1, 2.31 ERA) A. Wainwright (5-3, 5.71 ERA)
Giants/Cardinals Preview
Adam Wainwright is on a roll, albeit not quite like the one Johnny Cueto and the San Francisco Giants are enjoying.
As Wainwright looks to extend a seven-start unbeaten run, Cueto vies to join the NL's list of nine-game winners Friday night when the Giants begin a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals.
This marquee matchup between previous Cy Young Award runner-ups finds both hurlers in good form now that Wainwright has sorted out his early season issues. After recording a 7.25 ERA while losing three of his first four starts, the St. Louis ace is 5-0 over his last seven and posted quality starts in four of the past six.
Wainwright (5-3, 5.71 ERA) has been aided by the NL's highest scoring offense, as the Cardinals have totaled nine or more runs in four of his five victories. He was again supported well Saturday in Washington, where the right-hander allowed four runs on three homers over a season-high seven innings.
"My stuff is back, I've just got to hone it a little bit," he said. "Home runs sometimes can cost you the lead or a loss, but luckily our offense did a good job."
St. Louis (28-26) produced 16 runs and 26 hits in winning two straight in Milwaukee prior to Wednesday's 3-1 loss, in which the Brewers' Zach Davies struck out nine and yielded three hits over eight scoreless innings.
Cueto (8-1, 2.31) also comes in 5-0 over his last seven starts and owns a minuscule 0.92 through his last five. He battled through back soreness to win his fourth straight by limiting Colorado to one earned run over six innings in Sunday's 8-3 victory at Coors Field.
"He's that good where he found a way to get through it," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
Cueto is far from the only pitcher going well during a period in which San Francisco (34-22) has won 17 of 21. Giants starters are 12-2 with a 1.71 ERA and have allowed one earned run or less 17 times over that span.
Madison Bumgarner delivered another dominant effort Thursday, striking out 11 Atlanta hitters over 7 2/3 innings in a 6-0 win that earned a four-game series split. The standout left-hander also had the first of three two-run homers off the Braves' Aaron Blair in the fifth inning.
The Series:
Season series tied 0-0
June 3, 2016-CHC (Cueto) @ STL (Wainwright)-7:15 PM CDT
June 4, 2016-CHC (Samardzija) @ STL (Wacha)-6:15 PM CDT
June 5, 2016-CHC (Peavy) @ STL (Martínez)-7:05 PM CDT
Baseball Reference 2016 Cardinals Statistics
2016 Current MLB Standings
2016 Current MLB Wild Card Standings
2016 Current MLB vs. Division Standings
2016 Current MLB vs. Expanded Standings
Busch Stadium-Home of the Cardinals