I’m going to back the Cardinals on this day game on Memorial Day. The Cardinals have been the better offensive team this season, ranking inside the top 10 in both OPS (7th, .722) and batting average (8th, .254). In comparison, the Padres are 22nd (.669) and 21st (.233) in the same categories. Nick Martinez will start for SD as he's 4-3 in seven starts this season but it has had little to do with his strong pitching. Martinez has recorded a 4.29 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. In three daytime starts he has struggled mightily, posting a 7.07 ERA and 1.71 WHIP.
A couple of other factors to consider are that the Padres are traveling across the country after yesterday’s extra inning game to play a day game today plus STL is a PERFECT 3-0 this season after getting shutout and they lost 8-0 on Sunday.
I like the Cardinals to win the series opener today.