It took 11 frames before the Cardinals were able to put away the Atlanta Braves Friday in the first of a three-game weekend-set between the clubs at Turner Field. It will be a short turnaround before they play Saturday's matinee, second of a three game series. Atlanta will give the start to rookie right-hander Brandon Beachy while the Cardinals counter with the veteran right-hander Jake Westbrook.
The Braves are listed as -140 moneyline favorites on the BODOG.com MLB Odds board with a posted total of 8 1/2-runs. Cardinals' backers are getting +120 odds as underdogs.
Through five starts this season, Beachy is 1-1 with a 3.68 ERA. The rookie has pitched 44.1 innings where he's surrendered 21 runs, only 17 earned, on 39 hits including four home runs. In four of his five starts, Beachy has gone six innings, and three have been strong starts. He's given up only two runs and has struck out 14 against issuing two walks over his last two outings.
Westbrook is currently 2-2 after five starts for the Cardinals but has given up several runs, 20 earned over 24.1 innings pitched, sending his ERA skyrocketing to 7.40. He looked good his last outing shutting out the Reds over six innings on three hits and three walks while striking out four while picking up a win.
In Friday's extra inning game, the Cardinals cashed as a 5-3 winner at -102 moneyline odds while the eight runs scored took the total OVER the posted 8-runs set by oddsmakers. The win was the third straight for the Cardinals who are 15-11 on the season while Atlanta falls below .500 at 13-14..
If Westbrook’s found a groove his lofty ERA will come down and his win total will go up. The potent Cardinal’s lineup could be a bit intimidating for Braves rookie Beachy. The game will surely be a test. I’m making the Westbrook and the Cardinals (+120) my MLB Predictions call for this game.
