If trends are your thing, then betting against the St. Louis Cardinals in Monday's home game with Philadelphia (7:05 pm ET) should fall right in your wheelhouse. The Cardinals head home to face the Phillies after getting swept in three at Cincinnati over the weekend. If one thing is to blame for the Cards failure at Cincinnati, it would have to be the pitching; a staff breakdown who's surrendered 22 runs over 28 innings.
The Cardinals generosity will probably continue tonight with Jake Westbrook toeing the rubber. Through eight games as a starter this season the Cardinals' right-hander is 2-3 with a whopping 6.92 ERA. Westbrook was hammered by the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Wednesday giving up five runs, all earned on six hits in 2 1/3 innings pitched. The Phillies will have a definite pitching advantage with former Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee scheduled as starter. Like Westbrook, Lee is 3-2 on the season but similarities stop there. Lee has been victimized by lack of run support in three of his last four starts where the Phillies offense disappeared scoring one run in three games.
Oddsmakers agree, the Phillies have an advantage with Lee starting the game and have responded installing them as -145 MLB Lines favorites with a 7 1/2 total. Cardinals' backers with Westbrook the starter are getting +125 moneyline odds. Run line numbers show Phillies backers getting +115 odds at -1 1/2 while the price of getting the Cardinals on the RL is +135 at +1 1/2.
In futures betting, the Phillies are prohibitive 7-to-5 odds favorites to win the 2011 National League Pennant and are World Series Predictions odds favorites to win the 2011 World Series at 11-to-4. The Cardinals are getting 17-to-2 odds to win the NL Pennant and 18-to-1 World Series odds.
At publishing deadline, series odds for the Phillies/Cardinals set were not available. Before wagering, check with your favorite sports shop for updated MLB Lines , futures odds and props.
Don’t look for a pitching duel in this game. While Lee is one of the better left-handers in the NL, he is not as dominating this year as he’s been, but it’s still early. If he stays true to his ERA, the Cardinals, who have a solid offensive lineup, will get a few runs off Lee. The Cards issue is with its own starting pitcher (Westbrook) and bullpen. The best MLB Pick in this game is a total, OVER 7 ½.
