St. Louis (50-33) vs Los Angeles (40-44)
St. Louis has been struggling lately with American League West clubs but they got the win yesterday over the Los Angeles Angels.
Thursday July 4
Angels Stadium – Anaheim, CA
9:05PM
Probable Starters:
STL: Adam Wainright (R)
LAA: Joe Blanton (R)
Moneyline: St. Louis -130, Los Angeles +120
O/U: 8
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St. Louis
Despite their struggles they are just a couple games behind Pittsburgh in the race for the National League Central and best overall record in baseball.
Their +118 net runs is by far the best in baseball and nearly triple the Pirates mark even though they are a couple of games back.
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Though not as star driven as in the past, this team has one of the best rosters 1 through 25 in the Majors and it has been interesting to see them struggle so much with American League teams, even when they have been at home and they have to play by the National League rules.
It is a pleasure to see that starter Adam Wainwright is fully recovered from his previous arm injuries. This season he is leading a very good Cardinals staff and has to be considered one of the favourites for the Cy Young Award in the National League. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
He ranks in the top 5 in wins, ERA and Ks and is first in the Majors in complete games with 4 – one of which was in his last start against Oakland. His stats are absolutely amazing so I have to throw this one out there too: he has walked just 12 batters all season long (that is over 17 starts). Less than Cliff Lee if you like to compare.
Los Angeles
The Angels have been playing much better lately (7-3 in their last 10) but they have a long way to go to get back in the race in the American League West. Despite their run of wins they are still not getting much from their big bats and spark plug outfielder Peter Bourjos is back on the disabled list again.
This team just can’t seem to put it all together but if their lineup ever starts producing en masse they will be very dangerous. For now they are relying heavily on the Killer Ts – OF Mike Trout and OF Mark Trumbo.
Starter Joe Blanton used to be the guy you wanted in that 5th starter role because he didn’t hurt your team all that much and was probably better than the other team’s 5th guy. Those days are over as Blanton has been awful for the past few seasons.
This season batters are hitting over .300 against the righty. He also has already given up 17 homers this season in just 96 innings. The only good thing you can say about Blanton is that he doesn’t nibble on the mound. He only has a few more walks than Wainwright.
Given the huge disparity on the mound I am surprised the line on St. Louis isn’t higher. It is not a huge value play at -130 but I think you will feel very confident about the outcome of this one.
Blanton is a disaster waiting to happen and there doesn’t appear to be much in the tank there so I think you have to go with the Cards or pass altogether.
O/U Pick: Push
Score Prediction: St Louis 5 – Los Angeles 3
