MLB: Chicago vs. St. Louis Prediction
The St. Louis Cardinals host the Chicago Cubs on Monday night in the opening game of a four-game series at Busch Stadium in Missouri.
MLB Odds
Chicago Cubs (13-10) at St. Louis Cardinals (18-6)
Date: Monday, May 4, 2015
Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
Venue: Busch Stadium
City: St. Louis, Missouri
O/U Odds: 7
Money Line: St. Louis -153, Chicago +141
Pitching Matchup: LH Travis Wood (2-1, 3.04 ERA) at RH Carlos Martinez (3-0, 1.73 ERA)
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To no one’s surprise the Cardinals find themselves atop the N.L. Central Division at this point in the season. The Cubs were the sexy pick coming into the season, but they still have a lot of work to do to change the culture of a franchise that’s been dwelling in the division cellar for years.
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The Cubs look to make a dent in the Cardinals’ division lead in the opener of this series, sending out Travis Wood for the start. It’s been a tale of two seasons for Wood, who has a 1.29 ERA at home and a 5.59 ERA on the road.
Luckily for him his last outing came at home, and he put together a solid outing in a 6-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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Wood allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings work, striking out nine without walking a batter.
Games against the Cardinals weren’t particularly great for Wood a year ago. He posted a 5.20 against them, but even that was aided by eight unearned runs. His ERA was 5.06 at Busch Stadium, but again, that number doesn’t tell the whole story, as he allowed three unearned runs in two starts.
The Cardinals counter with Carlos Martinez, who has been tremendous since moving into the team’s starting rotation. Martinez has a 1.73 ERA and has recorded the victory in three consecutive starts.
FREE Cubs vs. Cardinals Pick:
The Cardinals have a decent edge on the mound, and while they come at a bit of a steep price here, they do get the game at home. Additionally, but pitchers should hold their own and get this one to the bullpens short of the posted total.
MLB Betting Trends:
The Cardinals are 9-2 in their last 11 games against left-handed starters and 5-0 in their last five games against teams with a winning record.
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The Cardinals are 9-3 in their last 12 games played on a Monday, and 5-1 in Martinez’s last six home starts.
The under is 7-2-1 in the Cubs’ last 10 games played on a Monday, and it is 5-2-1 in Wood’s last eight starts on a Monday.
The under is 4-1 in Wood’s last five starts in the opening game of a series, and 9-4-1 in his last 14 road starts against teams with a winning record.
The under is 9-2 in the Cardinals’ last 11 home games against teams with a winning record, and it is 4-0 in the Cardinals’ last four games when playing the opener of a series.
The under is 4-0 in the last four meetings between these teams.
4* MLB Free play: Cardinals -160, Under 7
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