This weekend's reminder that baseball is a funny and fickle game: one of the hottest teams in baseball is on the verge of being swept by the team widely considered to be the worst in the game. The former, of course, is the St. Louis Cardinals, who arrived in Houston with one of the best records in the National League but are another poor Adam Wainwright start away from leaving the series empty handed.
Wainwright's return from Tommy John surgery has been a bumpy one so far this year, as he's posted a 6.75 ERA in five starts, with only one quality start on the year. In his last start, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wainwright gave up four earned runs and five hits in seven innings. For Wainwright, the problem has been hits, and especially homers: he's struck out 27 batters in 26.2 innings, but has also relinquished 29 hits and seven homers. The latter mark is tied for the worst number in the National League.
The Astros will trot out soft tossing lefty J.A. Happ, who has historically had a tough time against the Cardinals. In four starts vs. St. Louis last season, Happ posted an ERA of 7.29, striking out 19 in 21 innings but walking 10. Happ also gave up four homers in those starts.
Game date/time: Sunday, May 6, 1:05 p.m. CT
Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Tex.
TV: Fox Sports Midwest
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