Greinke Stymies Cardinals Bats in 6-0 Brewers Victory

Last season Zack Greinke posted a K/9 of 10.53 (which led all of MLB), a BB/9 of 2.36, a FIP of 2.98, an xFIP of 2.56, and an ERA of 3.83. A .318 BABIP and a LOB% of 69.8 helped to give the former AL Cy Young a higher ERA than one would expect given his peripherals. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Greinke didn't leave room for bad luck to strike, he was just good. Really, really good. Over Greinke's seven innings, he held the Redbirds to only four hits, did not issue a single walk, and notched seven strikeouts. The Milwaukee bullpen preserved the shutout.

For his part in this pitching duel, Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright threw well but not exceptionally so. In his first regular-season start since undergoing Tommy John surgery during spring training last year, Wainwright lasted only 5.2 innings, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six Brewers. Wainwright was lifted in the sixth with a runner on second for former Memphis closer Victor Marte, who promptly gave up a double to Aramis Ramirez that added a third run allowed to Wainwright's line in the box score. Marte surrendered a run of his own before giving way to Fernando Salas. Last year's band-aid closer was rocked for two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.

The season's first rubber match will be played tomorrow at 1:10 CDT. Lance Lynn will start for the Cardinals. Hopefully it is a Happy Flight to Cincy.