San Diego at St. Louis Some thoughts
J.Peavy (13-7) 2.88 ERA 216 K 50 W
C.Carpenter (21-5) 2.83 ERA 213 K 51 W
Padres finished with the worst-ever record for a playoff team. Cards finished with the best record and haven't played a meaningful game since May. Somebody will need to wake the Cards up for this series as they've been sleepwalking for a month. The Pads have been playing pretty good ball as of late and have the pitchers to win a short series but the bats have been cold most of the season. Loretta and Hernandez have been hitting the last few weeks, Giles always hits and if they can get Klesko's bat going again they have a good shot. Sure the Padres can win the series, probably won't but much closer than lines indicate. I'm not laying -350 chalk on Cards but still think they are clearly the better team; but this is not 162 games series, only seven. 5 games any team can beat another 3 out of 5.
Playing the Padres at this price is well worth the shot. The cards pitching staff (starters and relievers) have not pitched well the last few weeks. Maybe it doesn't mean a lot since they have not really played in a meaningful game in quite some time now. With Reyes out for the playoffs, it puts even more pressure on an already suspect pen. LaRussa will probably start Matt Morris in one of the games but he has not looked good for a long time. Lefties out of the pen could be a real problem for the cards. Ray King has been god awful all year. If La Russa chooses to go with him in key situations (and he will), Cards could be in trouble.
Cards have lost Carpenters last three starts. Peavy is a top pitcher, he can be very tough and should keep Pads close. If he can hand it to the bullpen with the lead or game tied I like the Pads chances. Carpenter has struggled all month.
Homer says Pads get game 1.
J.Peavy (13-7) 2.88 ERA 216 K 50 W
C.Carpenter (21-5) 2.83 ERA 213 K 51 W
Padres finished with the worst-ever record for a playoff team. Cards finished with the best record and haven't played a meaningful game since May. Somebody will need to wake the Cards up for this series as they've been sleepwalking for a month. The Pads have been playing pretty good ball as of late and have the pitchers to win a short series but the bats have been cold most of the season. Loretta and Hernandez have been hitting the last few weeks, Giles always hits and if they can get Klesko's bat going again they have a good shot. Sure the Padres can win the series, probably won't but much closer than lines indicate. I'm not laying -350 chalk on Cards but still think they are clearly the better team; but this is not 162 games series, only seven. 5 games any team can beat another 3 out of 5.
Playing the Padres at this price is well worth the shot. The cards pitching staff (starters and relievers) have not pitched well the last few weeks. Maybe it doesn't mean a lot since they have not really played in a meaningful game in quite some time now. With Reyes out for the playoffs, it puts even more pressure on an already suspect pen. LaRussa will probably start Matt Morris in one of the games but he has not looked good for a long time. Lefties out of the pen could be a real problem for the cards. Ray King has been god awful all year. If La Russa chooses to go with him in key situations (and he will), Cards could be in trouble.
Cards have lost Carpenters last three starts. Peavy is a top pitcher, he can be very tough and should keep Pads close. If he can hand it to the bullpen with the lead or game tied I like the Pads chances. Carpenter has struggled all month.
Homer says Pads get game 1.
