Posted on
4/9/2008 5:44:07 PM
MLB Baseball Betting – Cards Seek Win Over Astros
By Eric Williams
The St. Louis Cardinals, (6-2) and Houston Astros, (3-6) will be hard-pressed to match the thrills provided in the series’ opening two contests after watching Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 on a walk-off two-run homer and Cardinals third baseman Troy Glaus lifting his club to a similar 5-3 win on Tuesday with a huge two-run double.
Glaus is 3-for-7 with three RBIs and just one strikeout in two games against the Astros after getting off to a horrific 4-for-21 start with six strikeouts in his first six games with the Cardinals.
"It was down, a strike, but it was down," Glaus told the Cardinals' official Web site. "I just stayed on it and didn't foul it off. Three or four days ago, it might have been a roller past (third-base coach Jose) Oquendo. Today it was a better swing and a better result."
Glaus’ performance overshadowed another strong game from Tejada, the 2002 AL MVP as the shortstop hit his own two-run double in the contest.
St. Louis will start right-hander Braden Looper (1-0, 1.50 ERA), who limited the Washington Nationals to one run on five hits in six innings as the Cardinals won 5-4 on Friday.
"I'm just trying to go out there and do my thing, do my job," Looper said following that contest. "Everybody here is throwing the ball well. All you can do is pitch and do your job."
Looper is 6-3 with a 2.57 ERA lifetime against the Astros.
Astros starter Chris Sampson (0-0, 2.70), held the Chicago Cubs to two runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings of the Astros' 4-3 victory on Friday.
He's 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in three career games - two starts - against the Cardinals.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Gambling Free Picks:
Key Cardinals Trends
The Cardinals are 5-1 in their last six games vs. a right-handed starter.
The Cardinals are 5-1 in their last six road games.
The Cardinals are 10-2 in their last 12 games on grass.
Key Astros Trends
The Astros are 4-0 in their last four home games vs. a right-handed starter.
The Astros are 4-1 in their last five home games.
The Astros are 4-1 in their last five home games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 4-0 in Cardinals last four games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
The Over is 6-0 in Cardinals last six during game two of a series.
The Over is 10-1 in Cardinals last eleven road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.
The Under is 6-1 in Astros last seven games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
The Under is 10-2 in Astros last 12 overall.
The Under is 10-2 in Astros last 12 on grass.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Houston.
The Cardinals are 2-5 in the last seven meetings.
Analysis: Take the Astros to bounce back at home from yesterday’s loss by winning this game between these two evenly matched teams. Looper and Sampson are equally talented pitchers and this contest should be very close, though I say Houston wins at home tonight.
MLB Free Picks: Astros 4 Cardinals 3
08:05 PM EST Baseball Lines
St Louis Cardinals
Braden Looper - R +1½ -220
Houston Astros
Chris Sampson - R -1½ +180
Over 9½ -115
Under 9½ -105
National League
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