The St. Louis Cardinals, who only a month ago appeared ready to take off in the National League Central when they swept their chief rival Cincinnati, have since pulled up like a lame mule and allowed the Reds to practically run away with the division pulling out to a six game division lead. The Cardinals will look to get back on a winning track Tuesday night in Houston when they play the Astros at Minute Maid Park. St. Louis will pin its hopes on former Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter who's having a good year compiling a 14-4 record with a 2.93 ERA. Countering for the Astros will be left-hander Wandy Rodriguez, who is 10-12 this season with a 3.87 ERA.
In spite of the Cardinals bad streak, Bodog.com oddsmakers list them -131 moneyline favorites versus the Astros with a posted total of 6 1/2 runs. Astros backers are getting +121 odds as a home underdog. F or action to count, Carpenter and Rodriguez must start the game.
The Astros' left-hander has had a terrific second half. He's 3-1 with a 1.12 ERA in his last four starts, with 54 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings and a .199 opponent average against. Since June 24, he's 7-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 12 starts (Team is 7-5).
Carpenter is back pitching within the division, where he's been brilliant. The Cards need to win his starts if they're going to remain in playoff contention. Carpenter is 17-3 against the NL Central since the start of '09.
J.A. Happ tossed a complete-game, two-hitter to lead the Astros past the Cardinals 3-0 on Monday night. Houston won as +115 home underdogs, while the game played UNDER the 7.5-run total listed by oddsmakers. Brett Wallace went 3-for-3 with a run batted in for the Astros, as Carlos Lee also drove in a run for Houston. Jake Westbrook allowed three runs over seven innings to take the loss for St. Louis.
MLB Picks: The Cardinals are reeling, having lost three in a row and six of their last seven. Meanwhile Houston has won seven of their last nine games. Though it seems the energy is on the Astros for this game, we look for the Cards to break out of their slump with Carpenter on the mound. Take St. Louis giving -131 on the moneyline.
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