MLB Predictions Preview … A three-game weekend series at PNC Park with the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates could be just what the Doctor ordered because after losing its last couple of games, the Cards needed wins to keep pace with the division leading Chicago Cubs. Tonight Todd Wellemeyer (7-4, 3.94 ERA) will take the mound for the Cardinals looking to regain his early season form. For the Pirates, RHP Yoslan Herrera (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gets the call to make his major league debut.
Free MLB Predictions Betting Line … Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have installed the Cardinals as -122 money line road favorites in this game with a 9-run total. Pittsburgh backers are getting +112 money line odds.
Wellemeyer has had some fine moments since returning from an early June elbow injury, but he hasn't quite looked like the same pitcher who was so good in the season's first two months. He's throwing strikes, and he's keeping the ball in the park, definitely two things to like. But he hasn't found the sharpness on his slider that was such a big part of his early success, and he just isn't controlling at-bats and handling hitters the way he was before.
The Pirates recalled Herrera after Friday night's game. The 27-year-old Cuban defector will start for Phil Dumatrait, who was placed on the disabled list with continued shoulder problems. Herrera was signed by the Pirates on Dec. 18, 2006, as a non-drafted free agent from Cuba. He spent the 2001-04 seasons playing for the Cuban national team. He was 3-5 with a 3.43 ERA in 10 starts this season for Double-A Altoona.
Kyle Lohse combined on a seven-hit shutout on Friday, as the Cardinals defeated the Pirates 6-0. The Cardinals won that game as -125 favorites, but the six runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
Rick Ankiel went 3-for-3 at the plate with a two-run homer and three RBIs to lead the way. Lohse tossed seven innings and improved to 11-2 on the season.
Jose Bautista had two hits for the Pirates, who were +105 underdogs. Zach Duke allowed five runs off 10 hits in six innings in the loss.
