Cardinals favored in make-up affair
The St. Louis Cardinals were humming along having won three of five series and splitting the other two as they rose to first place. A trip to Houston has put an abrupt halt to happy talk, swept by the Astros and seeing their lead cut a single game. Instead of having a day off to regroup before facing one of the hottest teams in baseball Philadelphia, the Cards have to take a side trip to Washington for a makeup game rained out from May 3.
The Redbirds (51-46, -2.2 units) problems have to do with offense, specifically the lack of it. St. Louis has only managed to reach double digits in base hit?s once in last nine contests; including being on a streak of failing to do so five games in a row. The Cardinals are producing at exactly one quarter less efficiency during this stretch, scoring 3.3 runs per game, compared to season average of 4.4.
St. Louis, at least in terms of games played have been dealt the cruelest slate, as they have already played the most games in Major Leagues and won?t have a day off until August3, which will be after having to play at the Phillies this weekend and returning home to face the L.A. Dodgers and revenge engagement with Houston.
Though manager Tony LaRussa knew this coming, he can?t be thrilled about having to use one of his best pitchers, Adam Wainwright (10-6, 3.01 ERA) against woeful Washington (28-66, -33.3 units). Granted, LaRussa could have called a Triple-A hurler up, however probably sensed his team needed a well pitched game and needs to get back into the win column, with today being the most important game.
St. Louis has responded with Wainwright on the mound with 8-1 road record this season. Over the last two seasons, the Cards are 28-12 with the right-hander on the hill and 14-4 off a loss. Bookmaker.com has the Cardinals as -150 money line favorites, with total of 8.5 for this makeup encounter. Wainwright and his teammates are 19-5 when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last two seasons.
The Nationals are giddy to continue seven game homestand. Washington has won its last two games against the New York Mets, giving them their second series win in last eight tries. The Nats have more negative figures than our country?s trade deficit, but can?t dwell on being 20-49 against right-hand starters. They have to press on under interim skipper Jim Riggleman and work to get better.
Washington will have a pitching change, as Jordan Zimmerman went on the DL with arm pain yesterday, which was retroactive to July 19. The Nationals don?t want to take any chances with one of young hurlers and will shut him down for around three weeks. Instead, 23-year old Colin Balester will take the ball. Balester was the Nationals top prospect entering the 2007 season and was 3-7 with a 5.51 ERA in 15 starts with Washington last season. This season he?s been at Triple-A Syracuse, sporting a 7-9 record with a 4.35 ERA in 19 starts. He has the classic fastball/curve/changeup package and is successful when he keeps the ball down.
With Washington 12-26 after two or more home games, optimism doesn?t run rampant. However, the Nationals are 15-9 (+11.6 Units) against the ML as a home underdog of +125 to +150 and have won their last three tilts using an emergency starter.
First pitch is set for 7:05 Eastern on MASN, with the Nats 5-4 at home versus the Cardinals in D.C. the last three seasons.
The St. Louis Cardinals were humming along having won three of five series and splitting the other two as they rose to first place. A trip to Houston has put an abrupt halt to happy talk, swept by the Astros and seeing their lead cut a single game. Instead of having a day off to regroup before facing one of the hottest teams in baseball Philadelphia, the Cards have to take a side trip to Washington for a makeup game rained out from May 3.
The Redbirds (51-46, -2.2 units) problems have to do with offense, specifically the lack of it. St. Louis has only managed to reach double digits in base hit?s once in last nine contests; including being on a streak of failing to do so five games in a row. The Cardinals are producing at exactly one quarter less efficiency during this stretch, scoring 3.3 runs per game, compared to season average of 4.4.
St. Louis, at least in terms of games played have been dealt the cruelest slate, as they have already played the most games in Major Leagues and won?t have a day off until August3, which will be after having to play at the Phillies this weekend and returning home to face the L.A. Dodgers and revenge engagement with Houston.
Though manager Tony LaRussa knew this coming, he can?t be thrilled about having to use one of his best pitchers, Adam Wainwright (10-6, 3.01 ERA) against woeful Washington (28-66, -33.3 units). Granted, LaRussa could have called a Triple-A hurler up, however probably sensed his team needed a well pitched game and needs to get back into the win column, with today being the most important game.
St. Louis has responded with Wainwright on the mound with 8-1 road record this season. Over the last two seasons, the Cards are 28-12 with the right-hander on the hill and 14-4 off a loss. Bookmaker.com has the Cardinals as -150 money line favorites, with total of 8.5 for this makeup encounter. Wainwright and his teammates are 19-5 when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last two seasons.
The Nationals are giddy to continue seven game homestand. Washington has won its last two games against the New York Mets, giving them their second series win in last eight tries. The Nats have more negative figures than our country?s trade deficit, but can?t dwell on being 20-49 against right-hand starters. They have to press on under interim skipper Jim Riggleman and work to get better.
Washington will have a pitching change, as Jordan Zimmerman went on the DL with arm pain yesterday, which was retroactive to July 19. The Nationals don?t want to take any chances with one of young hurlers and will shut him down for around three weeks. Instead, 23-year old Colin Balester will take the ball. Balester was the Nationals top prospect entering the 2007 season and was 3-7 with a 5.51 ERA in 15 starts with Washington last season. This season he?s been at Triple-A Syracuse, sporting a 7-9 record with a 4.35 ERA in 19 starts. He has the classic fastball/curve/changeup package and is successful when he keeps the ball down.
With Washington 12-26 after two or more home games, optimism doesn?t run rampant. However, the Nationals are 15-9 (+11.6 Units) against the ML as a home underdog of +125 to +150 and have won their last three tilts using an emergency starter.
First pitch is set for 7:05 Eastern on MASN, with the Nats 5-4 at home versus the Cardinals in D.C. the last three seasons.
