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The St. Louis Cardinals are set to host the defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies tonight at Busch Stadium. The game, which has the Phillies vying for the lead in the National League East, is scheduled to get underway at 8:15 pm ET. 

Philadelphia Phillies vs St. Louis Cardinals MLB Predictions at Bodog.com have the Cardinals listed as a -132 moneyline favorite. The total for this evening's game is set at 9.

St. Louis returns home after having split what was suppose to be a three game set in Washington. The Cardinals were rained out yesterday, but fell to the Nationals by a score of 6-1 on Saturday. Starting pitcher Joel Pineiro suffered his first loss of the season, despite giving up just one earned run in seven innings. 

The Nationals Shairon Martis dominated St. Louis as he allowed just five hits and one earned run in a complete game performance. Rookie Colby Rasmus did almost all of the damage to Martis with a 2-for-4, solo home run outing.

The loss moved the first place Cardinals record to 17-8; they have a 3.5 game lead over the both the Cubs and the Reds in the Central division.

Philadelphia, who also had their series with the Mets shortened due to rain, won their last game, a 10 inning affair at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies overcame a rough start from veteran Jamie Moyer (five earned runs over 5.2 innings) to win 6-5. The Mets Sean Green walked in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th frame.

Raul Ibanez further endeared himself to Phillies fans in the win, going 2-for-4 with one run scored and two RBI.

The Phillies, who are currently 12-10, are now just a half game back of the first place Marlins in the NL East.

The Cards will send right hander Kyle Lohse to the mound tonight to work against his former team. Lohse is off to a brilliant start this season, sporting a 3-0 record in five starting appearances. His 1.97 ERA is the fifth best in the National League and opponents are hitting just .216 against him. The 30 year California native worked six innings in his last start, a 2-1 loss at Atlanta, giving up four hits and no earned runs.

Philadelphia will counter Lohse with the struggling Joe Blanton. Blanton is 0-2 this year in four starts with an 8.41 ERA. The former Kentucky Wildcat has given up 19 earned runs in 20.1 innings pitched and batters are hitting a ridiculous .371 off of him. 

Blanton had another forgettable outing in his last start as he gave up six earned runs in 4.1 innings against the Nationals.

Bodog.com Philadelphia Phillies vs St. Louis Cardinals MLB Predictions:

Philadelphia Phillies +1.5 (-165), Over 9 (-110), +122 (Moneyline)

St. Louis Cardinals -1.5 (+145), Under 9 (-110), -132 (Moneyline)

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