Posted on
4/16/2008 7:55:45 PM
MLB Baseball Betting Trends – Giants Looking For Win Over Cardinals
By Eric Williams
The San Francisco Giants, (4-6) were widely expected to be doormats in the National League West this season after parting ways with historic slugger Barry Bonds and leaning towards rebuilding with much younger players.
The St. Louis Cardinals, (7-3) entered the 2008 season looking like an aging team in need of rebuilding just two seasons after surprisingly winning the World Series.
Instead of two struggling teams, both clubs have been respectable this season, and in the case of St. Louis, very surprising.
The Giants enter tonight’s contest riding a three-game winning streak in the BetUS Sportsbook that includes an emphatic 5-1 win over the Cardinals on Thursday.
Left fielder Fred Lewis doubled, tripled and scored twice, and will become a starter after the team announced that veteran outfielder Dave Roberts will undergo left knee surgery Saturday.
"I hate that Dave's out," Lewis said. "He's one of my teammates. It means I'm going to get a lot of playing time and hopefully help the team get as many wins as possible."
Thursday’s loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Cardinals and they will face the Giants’ staff ace tonight in veteran left-hander Barry Zito, (0-2, 6.30 ERA), who has gotten off to his second consecutive shaky start in as many seasons n the National League.
Zito gave up five runs, (three earned), on eight hits in Sunday's 7-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse (1-0, 0.00) has been stellar in two starts and limited the Washington Nationals to four hits and one walk in seven innings of the Cardinals’ 3-0 win on Sunday.
"If he pitches like that all year, he could spoil us," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa told the team's official Web site.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Betting Free Picks:
Key Cardinals Trends
The Cardinals are 5-1 in their last six games vs. a left-handed starter.
The Cardinals are 4-1 in their last five games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
The Cardinals are 4-1 in their last five games following a loss.
Key Giants Trends
The Giants are 4-0 in their last four games as a home underdog of +110 to +150.
The Giants are 5-1 in their last six games as an underdog of +110 to +150.
The Giants are 4-1 in their last five games as a home underdog.
Key Totals Trends
The Over is 6-1 in Cardinals last seven during game two of a series.
The Over is 5-1 in Cardinals last six games following a loss.
The Over is 5-1 in Cardinals last six after scoring two runs or less in their previous game.
The Over is 5-0 in Giants last five when their opponent allows five runs or more in their previous game.
The Under is 4-0 in Giants last four games as an underdog of +110 to +150.
The Under is 4-1 in Giants last five overall.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
The Cardinals are 1-5 in the last six meetings.
Analysis: I’m thinking Zito need to get back to the comforts of pitching in the American League since he hasn’t looked like the same pitcher that dominated the AL since coming to the National League last season. Take the Cardinals behind another solid start by Lohse, to win this game and get back to their winning ways.
MLB Free Picks: Cardinals 5 Giants 2
10:15 PM EST MLB Odds
St Louis Cardinals
Kyle Lohse - R -1½ +115
San Francisco Giants
Barry Zito - L +1½ -135
Over 8 EV
Under 8 -120
National League
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