In what looks like a mismatch on paper, Kyle Kendrick and the Rockies will take on Michael Wacha and the Cardinals in the second game of their series at Busch Stadium.
Kendrick has not lived up to expectations this season, even if those expectations were low, but he has been especially bad recently. In his last seven starts, including a rain-shortened outing that lasted just one inning, Kendrick has a 7.44 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in 32⅔ innings, allowing 50 hits, nine of them home runs, with nine walks and 19 strikeouts.
Kendrick faces a St. Louis lineup that features first baseman Brandon Moss making his first start in a Cardinals uniform along with rookie Stephen Piscotty moving up to the second spot in the lineup against the right-handed Kendrick.
The Cardinals will counter Kendrick on the mound with 24-year-old right-hander Michael Wacha. In his first full season at the big league level, Wacha has a 3.27 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 118⅓ innings, walking 29 and striking out 99.
Wacha will face a Rockies lineup without left fielder Corey Dickerson, who is day-to-day with a rib injury. In his place in left field is Brandon Barnes, who bats eighth. Second Baseman DJ LeMahieu bats fifth tonight, ahead of first baseman Ben Paulsen and catcher Nick Hundley.
First pitch tonight is at 6:15 p.m. Mountain time.