Chicago @ St. Louis picks

Rea pitches to contact, avoiding free passes (6.2% walk rate) while not racking up many strikeouts (16.9% K rate). The thing is, the contact he allows can be damaging — Rea checks in at the 17th percentile in barrel rate and the 21st percentile in average exit velocity. Those contact quality concerns will only be amplified on a day when the weather favors hitting. Rea’s primary deficiency is against left-handed batters, who are slashing .305/.358/.534 while giving him a 5.66 FIP. One left-handed batter poised to capitalize on this matchup for the Cards is Nootbaar. The outfielder has great underlying metrics (92nd percentile hard-hit rate, 87th percentile chase rate), hits righties well (113 wRC+), and performs better at home (141 wRC+). Nootbaar carries a three-game hitting streak into a Saturday matchup he should exploit.

Seiya Suzuki projects as the 16th-best hitter in MLB, per the leading projection system (THE BAT X).. Seiya Suzuki is projected to bat 2nd in the batting order in this matchup.. In MLB, Busch Stadium has the 9th-lowest average fence height.. The weather report predicts temperatures in this game to reach the highest level of all games today at 92°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts).. Seiya Suzuki hits a high percentage of his flyballs to center field (41.8% — 100th percentile) and will have a big advantage facing the game's 7th-shallowest CF fences in today's game.

According to the leading projection system (THE BAT X), Kyle Tucker ranks as the 8th-best batter in baseball.. Kyle Tucker is penciled in 3rd in the batting order in this matchup.. In MLB, Busch Stadium has the 9th-lowest average fence height.. The weather report predicts temperatures in this game to reach the highest level of all games today at 92°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts).. Hitting from the opposite that Andre Pallante throws from, Kyle Tucker will have the upper hand in today's game.

Alec Burleson's batting average ability is projected to be in the 93rd percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X).. Alec Burleson is projected to hit 3rd in the lineup in this matchup.. In MLB, Busch Stadium has the 9th-lowest average fence height.. The weather report predicts temperatures in this game to reach the highest level of all games today at 92°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts).. Alec Burleson will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Colin Rea in today's matchup.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Jordan Walker in the 82nd percentile when it comes to his BABIP ability.. In MLB, Busch Stadium has the 9th-lowest average fence height.. The weather report predicts temperatures in this game to reach the highest level of all games today at 92°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts).. Jordan Walker hits many of his flyballs to center field (40.9% — 99th percentile) and sets up very well considering he'll be hitting out towards the game's 7th-shallowest CF fences in today's game.. Home field advantage typically improves hitter metrics across the board, and Jordan Walker will hold that advantage in today's game.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Nolan Gorman in the 97th percentile when estimating his home run ability.. In MLB, Busch Stadium has the 9th-lowest average fence height.. The weather report predicts temperatures in this game to reach the highest level of all games today at 92°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts).. Nolan Gorman will hold the platoon advantage against Colin Rea in today's matchup.. Nolan Gorman has big-time HR ability (97th percentile) if he makes contact, but that's never a guarantee (31.8% K%). Today, however, opposing pitcher Colin Rea is a pitch-to-contact type (6th percentile K%) — great news for Gorman.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Lars Nootbaar in the 92nd percentile when assessing his overall offensive skill.. Lars Nootbaar is projected to hit 1st in the lineup in today's game.. In MLB, Busch Stadium has the 9th-lowest average fence height.. The weather report predicts temperatures in this game to reach the highest level of all games today at 92°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts).. Batting from the opposite that Colin Rea throws from, Lars Nootbaar will have an edge in today's matchup.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Brendan Donovan in the 96th percentile when it comes to his batting average skill.. Brendan Donovan is penciled in 1st in the batting order in this game.. In MLB, Busch Stadium has the 9th-lowest average fence height.. The weather report predicts temperatures in this game to reach the highest level of all games today at 92°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts).. Brendan Donovan will hold the platoon advantage against Colin Rea today.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Willi Castro in the 75th percentile when assessing his BABIP skill.. Willi Castro is projected to bat 5th in the lineup in today's game.. In MLB, Busch Stadium has the 9th-lowest average fence height.. The weather report predicts temperatures in this game to reach the highest level of all games today at 92°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts).. As a switch-hitter who performs better from the 0 side of the dish, Willi Castro will get to bat from his strong side against Andre Pallante in this game.

Seiya Suzuki projects as the 16th-best hitter in MLB, per the leading projection system (THE BAT X).. Seiya Suzuki is projected to bat 2nd in the batting order in this matchup.. In MLB, Busch Stadium has the 9th-lowest average fence height.. The weather report predicts temperatures in this game to reach the highest level of all games today at 92°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts).. Seiya Suzuki hits a high percentage of his flyballs to center field (41.8% — 100th percentile) and will have a big advantage facing the game's 7th-shallowest CF fences in today's game.

Seiya Suzuki projects as the 16th-best hitter in MLB, per the leading projection system (THE BAT X).. Seiya Suzuki is projected to bat 2nd in the batting order in this matchup.. In MLB, Busch Stadium has the 9th-lowest average fence height.. The weather report predicts temperatures in this game to reach the highest level of all games today at 92°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts).. Seiya Suzuki hits a high percentage of his flyballs to center field (41.8% — 100th percentile) and will have a big advantage facing the game's 7th-shallowest CF fences in today's game.