MLB Predictions Preview … The San Diego Padres look to improve on their season’s first half disaster and start with a positive road trip beginning with a four-game weekend series in St. Louis with the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Reigning Cy Young right hander Jake Peavy will toe the rubber for the Padres while the Cardinals will go with the surprising Kyle Lohse. Peavy is 7-5 this season with a 2.70 ERA while the righthander Lohse has a 3.39 ERA to go along with an 11-2 record this season.
MLB Predictions Betting Line… Oddsmakers at online Sportsbook.com currently have the Cardinals listed as 109-money line favorites versus the Padres, while the game's total is sitting at 7½. The money line price for a wager on the Padres is -101.
Lohse won his eighth straight decision and his 11th in 13 games this year by holding Pittsburgh to six hits and no runs over seven innings as the Cards downed the Bucs, 6-0, on July 11. The Cards are 13-7 in games Lohse has started.
Peavy had yet another masterful start as he went seven shutout innings in a 4-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on July 11. Peavy struck out seven while only giving up four hits. His last four starts have all been quality starts (over six innings) and he's struck out at least six batters in each of those four starts. The Padres seem to be a different team with him on the mound, especially at home, and Peavy seems to be a different pitcher when on his home mound. He sports a 1.45 ERA at home but has a 4.41 ERA on the road.
The Padres defeated Atlanta 12-3 as a -110 favorite on Sunday. The 15 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (7.5).
Kevin Kouzmanoff was 3-4 with a home run and two RBI for San Diego, while Randy Wolf was roughed up for six runs in five innings to take the loss.
The Cardinals defeated Pittsburgh 11-6 as a -110 favorite on Sunday. The 17 runs scored went well OVER the posted over/under total (9.5).
Aaron Miles was 3-5 with a home run and five RBI for St. Louis, while Troy Glaus was 3-5 with a home run and two RBI in the win.
MLB Game Prediction: This game has all the earmarks of a pitchers game. The UNDER 7 ½ seems to hold the best wagering value.
