posted April 23, 2008 at 15:57 EST in MLB Betting Trends
National League Betting Odds – Cardinals at Pirates
by Eric Williams
After snapping their six-game losing streak in the BetUS Sportsbook with a close 3-2 win over the Florida Marlins on Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates, (8-12, 14-6 O/U) come into tonight’s matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals, (13-8, 11-10 O/U) looking to pin a loss on surprising Cardinals starter Todd Wellemeyer (2-0, 3.24 ERA) who is coming off the best start of his young career a seven-inning outing against the San Francisco Giants on Friday in which he allowed just one run on four hits while striking out six batters.
"I always felt like I had it in me, and it was just a matter of getting innings at the major league level," said Wellemeyer, who signed with Kansas City after getting released by the Kansas City Royals. "That's all I ever wanted. Be it out of the bullpen or starting, just to be able to go out there and play is huge for me."
The Pirates got an excellent performance of heir own from veteran starter Paul Maholm on Tuesday as he allowed just one run in six innings while striking out six batters.
Tonight, Pittsburgh will send starter Ian Snell (2-1, 4.07) to the mound against a Cardinals team that was beaten 9-8 in 12 innings by the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.
Snell is coming off his first loss of the season, allowing three runs in six inning of Friday’s 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Snell could have big problems however in the form of St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols who is 9-for-16 with a whopping four home runs against Snell.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Betting Free Picks:
The Cardinals are 4-0 in Wellemeyer's last four starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
The Cardinals are 8-1 in Wellemeyer's last nine starts vs. a team with a losing record.
The Pirates are 5-1 in Snell's last six starts during game one of a series.
The Pirates are 4-1 in Snell’s last five starts.
The Over is 5-1 in Cardinals last six when their opponent allows two runs or less in their previous game.
The Over is 5-1 in Cardinals last six vs. a team with a losing record.
The Over is 4-0 in Pirates last four games a home underdog.
The Over is 7-0-1 in Pirates last eight games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
The Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
The Cardinals are 46-17 in the last 63 meetings in Pittsburgh.
The Pitchers: Cardinals starting pitcher Todd Wellemeyer is 2-0 in four starts covering 25.0 innings with 26 strikeouts, nine walks and an ERA of 3.24.
Pirates starting pitcher Ian Snell is 2-1 in four starts covering 24.1 innings with 20 strikeouts, five walks and a 4.07 ERA.
Analysis: I really think Ian Snell may be the Pirates best starter this season, but the St. Louis Cardinals are still the pick to win this matchup behind the talented Wellemeyer. The Cardinals have responded to losses very well this season and should bounce back nicely from last night’s gut-wrenching loss to the Brewers.
MLB Free Picks: Cardinals 4 Pirates 3
07:05 PM EST Baseball Lines
Todd Wellemeyer - R +1½ -210
Ian Snell - R -1½ +175
Over 8½ -110
Under 8½ -110
National League
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