The St. Louis Cardinals are trying to solve the mystery of the missing bats, a story line that began down at their Spring Training base in Florida. Since heading North to start the 2011 season, the Cards continue their struggle getting runs across the plate resulting in their losing two of three games to the San Diego Padres at home in Bush Stadium. The Cardinals home series continues on Monday when the Pittsburgh Pirates come to Bush. The Pirates started their season off well on the by winning two of three over the Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Getting the start for the Cardinals today will be right hander Kyle Lohse who went 4-8 last year with a 6.55 ERA. Pittsburgh will counter with their own right-hander Charlie Morton. Morton ended 2010 with a 2-12 record to go along with a 7.57 ERA.
Betting prices at many MLB Odds sites show the Cardinals the money line favorites at -140 while Pirates backers are getting +130 ML odds for a SU win. Totals betting opened with odds makers posting a 9-run OVER/UNDER. The Cardinals are getting +145 (-140) odds on the run line while the RL price for the Pirates is -165 (+1 1/2). These odds are based on Lohse and Morton starting the game from the mound. If there is a pitching change prior to the game, then these odds will be re-installed according to who's pitching.
It's a MLB Baseball fact; that at +10000 odds, the Pirates will not be on any World Series Picks list in 2011.
After having a terrible year's in 2010, both today's starters, Lohse and Morton, had solid springs. Lohse, who was bothered by elbow issues the past two years, hopes to return to his 2008 form when he went 15-6.
Neither of these pitchers showed they could keep the score down all of last year. Their managers see improvment but let's see how they do now that the real season has started. My MLB Predictions on this game is for the score to soar. MLB BEST BET- OVER 9.
