The St. Louis Cardinals head out on the road today to play six games in six days beginning with a three game set against NL Central Division rivals Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park (8:05 pm ET). The Cardinals just completed a six game home stand by going 4-2 and taking first place in the division. Meanwhile, the Astros are exactly where they're expected to be, in last place, four games from the top with an 8-14 record. The Cardinals are listed as -170 MLB Odds favorites on the BetUS.com MLB Board to win this series (2-of-3 games) while Astros' backers are getting +140 odds as home series underdogs.
Left-hander Jamie Garcia gets the start for the Cardinals in the opener while right-hander Bud Norris toes the rubber for Houston. With Garcia and Norris the starters, BetUS lists St. Louis as -140 favorites on the offshore moneyline with a 7 1/2-run total. Astros' backers are getting +120 ML odds as a home underdog.
In his last start Garcia improved his record to 3-0 by picking up a win in the Cardinals victory over the Nationals last Wednesday. The left-hander gave up three runs, but only one earned, and struck out four in the win. Garcia has pitched 25 frames in four starts this season and is owner of an impressive 1.44 ERA.
Norris last pitched on Wednesday when he gave up three runs on 10 hits with a walk and six strikeouts but did not factor in the decision. On the year Norris is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA after 22 innings pitched. In 2010 Norris went 9-10 with a 4.92 ERA.
After getting off to a slow start in 2011, losing six of their first eight games, the Cardinals have since caught fire and won 10 of their last 15 games, and in the process have stormed into first place of the NL Central Division. While the Astros are in last place, they are only four games off the pace in the division and have split their last 10 games at 5-5. In recent action, the Cardinals defeated the Reds on Sunday 3-0 at Busch Stadium, capping a series win taking two of three games. Houston was a 4-1 loser on the road against the Brewers.
For my daily MLB Predictions , I expect a tight game in this one. The Astros bring out their best for the Cardinals and traditionally play well against them at home. MLB Best Bet – Astros +120.
