Given some of their big name hitting stars, it's surprising the Cardinals and Brewers both rank among the bottom-12 teams in runs scored.
On closer inspection, though, maybe it shouldn't be a surprise.
St. Louis is getting terrible seasons from a number of players, including Dexter Fowler, Kolten Wong and Jedd Gyorko. The Cardinals' power is way down as they rank last in the majors in doubles and triples. They also draw the fourth-fewest walks in the National League.
The Brewers' problem is they have three dead spots in their lineup - catcher with Manny Pina and the two middle infield positions with Orlando Arcia and Jonathan Villar. Milwaukee has been shut out a major-league high 10 times this season. The Brewers are not a strong clutch hitting team either ranking 24th with runners in scoring position.
The scores of this series the past two days have been 2-1 and 3-2. Look for that same type of score in a pitching matchup of Luke Weaver versus Jhoulys Chacin.
Weaver hasn't pitched well during his last seven starts compiling a 4.46 ERA. I remain high on him, though. He's a top prospect with high ceiling stuff and metrics that indicate he's due to turn things around.
Teams often rest key players on Sunday. The Brewers have already announced that Lorenzo Cain won't play after he was pulled from Saturday's game because of groin tightness. Cain is the Brewers' leading hitter and also their stolen base leader.
I wasn't that high on Chacin entering this year. But I have to give him his due. Chacin has been outstanding especially at Miller Park where he's posted a 2.31 ERA in six starts. Chacin is 6-2 with a 3.18 ERA on the season holding foes to a .231 batting average. The Brewers have an outstanding bullpen. Their top bullpen arms are fresh meaning they could get three innings from Josh Hader and Corey Knebel if necessary.
St. Louis is averaging 2.5 runs its last four games.
The roof is going to be open for this game, but weather shouldn't impact the total as the forecast is for clear skies and a slight crosswind.
Mike Winters is slated to be the home plate umpire. Winters has had a slight bias to the Over - except when he's been behind the plate on Sunday where the Under has cashed at a mind-boggling 70 percent rate during the past 56 instances.