Nationals at Cardinals MLB Picks – May 17, 2010: The St. Louis Cardinals are currently struggling having lost seven of their last 10 games, including getting swept at home by the Houston Astros last week and have since dropped out of the Central Division lead after losing two of three to the current NL Central leaders, Cincinnati Reds. Monday night (8:15 pm Eastern) the Cardinals return home to host the surprising Washington Nationals, currently tied for second in the Eastern Division with the Florida Marlins. Washington is amidst a three game losing streak of its own. Righthander Kyle Lohse ( 0-3, 5.68) will toe the rubber for the Cardinals while righthander Craig Stammen (1-1, 5.84) gets the start for Washington.
MLB oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com list the Cardinals as -160 moneyline favorites versus the Nationals with an 8 1/2 total. Nationals backers are getting +145 odds as a road underdog.
Stammen wasn't as effective as he was against the Marlins last week. He lasted five innings against the Mets, allowed four runs on seven hits, struck out two and walked two. However, Stammen had a great day at the plate, going 2-for-2 with three RBIs.
Lohse had three solid starts out of seven, including two that were very good. It's just that when he's been off, he's been way off: including a nine-run performance his last time out. He's not in any jeopardy yet, if only because there are no really viable alternatives, but at some point if Lohse doesn't get straightened out, the Cardinals may have to begin to look at what else they can do. That time is not here yet, though, and probably won't arrive for a few more weeks if it does at all.
MLB Picks: Take the Cardinals SU on the moneyline -160.
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