Texas Rangers (42-32) vs St. Louis Cardinals (47-27)
The Texas Rangers drew first blood in this series between former World Series combatants (2011). Texas took the first game and if they keep winning they might use this series to reclaim first place in the American League West. Not exactly a true measure of revenge but better than nothing.
Saturday June 22
Busch Stadium – St. Louis, MO
7:15PM
Probable Starters:
TEX: Martin Perez (L)
STL: Shelby Miller (L)
Moneyline: St. Louis -190, Texas +175
O/U: 8
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Texas
This Rangers team has quite a different composition than that one that lost to St. Louis in the Fall Classic. No more OF Josh Hamilton and the starting staff has completely turned over, in part because that part of the club has been decimated by injuries this season.
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There isn’t much of a book on Rangers lefty Martin Perez who has just more than 40 innings in the Big Leagues over last season and this. So far the results have been less than impressive with an ERA over 5, including his lone start this season, a loss at Arizona.
This is another chance to get a victory over a National League squad. The Rangers have been forced to dig deeper into their system for starters than they would like with 4 starters currently on the disabled list. Unfortunately the cupboard is looking kind of bare lately.
St. Louis
Even after St. Louis’ loss last night they have the best record in the Majors. They are the only team with a winning percentage over .600 and the only one with a +100 run differential. Maybe more so than other top teams they are doing it with more of a total team effort than relying on performances from big start. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
They are third in the Majors in ERA and second in runs scored. The latter is especially impressive as the Cardinals are just 23rd in the league in homers. No more Pujols or McGwireesque like sluggers.
Getting a chance to start this season it is easy to see what all the fuss was about with propspect Shelby Miller. Heading into this weekend series Miller was third in the National League with an ERA of just 2.08. His .96 WHIP is good for 4th in the league and it is even better than ERA leader Clayton Kershaw.
If those numbers don’t get your attention than you may be interested to learn that Miller is even better at home. He has lost just once in 7 starts and his ERA drops to .99 and his WHIP to .75.
Given the disparity on the mound I don’t know how you can make a case for betting against the Cardinals on Saturday. As a result there is little value on St. Louis, though you could parlay them with some of the other games on the card.
St. Louis has the best winning percentage in the Majors and is second in units earned this season at +12.1
O/U Pick: Under
Score Prediction: St. Louis 4 – Texas 2
