ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

at LOS ANGELES DODGERS

First pitch: Sunday, 8:00 p.m. ET
Line: N/A

Mike Leake and the Cardinals take on Alex Wood and the Dodgers in the series finale in Los Angeles.

In the finale of the three-game series between the rival Cardinals and Dodgers on Sunday night, RHP Mike Leake (1-3, 5.10 ERA, 27 SO, 10 BB, 6 HR in 42 1/3 IP) will square off against LHP Alex Wood (1-3, 4.58 ERA, 37 SO, 14 BB, 4 HR in 39 1/3 IP). Leake, in his first season in St. Louis, has really struggled. He’s allowed at least three earned runs in six of his seven starts, and at least four earned runs in four of those starts. He’s actually coming off his best outing, against the Angels on May 10. In that game, the 28-year-old gave up just one run on six hits in eight effective frames for his first win. Wood hasn’t been particularly sharp, either. The 25-year-old lefty has given up at least three runs in four of his seven starts. He looked good against the Mets his last time out, however, giving up two runs—one earned—on four hits in 6 1/3 innings pitched. He tied his season-high in strikeouts with nine and walked two, earning a no-decision in Los Angeles’ 3-2 win.

The Cardinals, who have an uphill club in the National League Central, have one of the most dangerous lineups in all of baseball, so Wood will have his work cut out for him. But in the pitcher’s favor, Dave Roberts’ club has seen very little of Wood. SS Ruben Tejada (2-for-9 with 1 RBI) has seen the most of Wood of any Cardinal, and he doesn’t even start. No Cardinals have homered off him—in fact, Tejada is the only Cardinal with more than one at-bat against him. C Yadier Molina got a hit off Wood in his only career at-bat against him, and LF Matt Holliday was retired in their lone meeting. Lefties are hitting just .214 against Leake, while righties are hitting .292. Leake has been better on the road than he’s been at home (though that’s not saying much). In three starts away from Busch Stadium, Leake is 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in 17 1/3 innings pitched. (He’s 0-2 with a 5.76 ERA in 25 innings pitched at home.) Opposing hitters are batting .294 against Leake with runners in scoring position.

The Dodgers are in a dogfight with the Giants for first place in the National League West, so they need every win they can get. They’ll have an excellent chance of winning this one. Leake has only pitched in the National League since debuting in 2010, so the Dodgers have seen a fair share of him over the years. 2B Chase Utley (3-for-21 with 2 HR, 4 RBI and 1 2B) hasn’t seen the ball particularly well against Leake, though 3B Justin Turner (6-for-12 with 1 RBI) has enjoyed facing him. 1B Adrian Gonzalez (1-for-10 with 3 SO) and C Yasmani Grandal (2-for-10) won’t be looking forward to this matchup. RF Yasiel Puig only has six at-bats against Leake, though he has two career hits against him—including a double. Though Wood throws left-handed, lefties have surprisingly hit .314 off him. (Righties have hit .250.) Wood has enjoyed pitching at Dodger Stadium. In three starts at his home ballpark, Wood is 1-0 with a 1.33 ERA, 21 strikeouts and six walks in 20 1/3 innings. Wood hasn’t been able to get out of jams this season, as opposing hitters are batting .406 against him with runners in scoring position.