Phillies vs Cardinals Game 4 MLB Playoffs 2011 Odds: Thanks to great managing by Charlie Manuel and timely pitching by the Phillies starters and bullpen, the St. Louis Cardinals will face elimination in Game 4 of this best-of-five series. Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, will be the location for this one, beginning at 6 PM ET (5 PM CT) on TBS Sports.
The MLB Odds favorite (2-1) Philadelphia Phillies [-123] will be looking to close out the series tonight by defeating the (2-1) St. Louis Cardinals [+113]. The Phils will be looking to make it into the National League Championship Series for a fourth consecutive season.
The winner of this series will await the conclusion of the other NLDS between the Brewers and Diamondbacks. Milwaukee leads that series 2-1 with Game 4 scheduled for tonight at 9:30 PM ET from Chase Field. Tonight’s pitching matchup will once again favor Philly.
On the mound looking to put the nail in the coffin for Manuel will be the seasoned, three-time MLB All-Star, RHP Roy Oswalt (2011 Season: 9-10, 3.69 ERA). Despite not having his best year as a Philly, Oswalt brings a ton of experience and a 5-1 record in 12 postseason appearances with go with a respectable ERA of 3.39. Can the Phillies close out it out tonight? Get $50 in Free MLB Picks Here!
"Those guys don't give up," said Ryan Howard of the Cardinals. "It came down to the very end once again. These guys have no quit, and you definitely have to put them away when you can."
Looking to extend the series to a decisive Game 5, Cards manager, Tony LaRussa will send the hard-throwing RHP Edwin Jackson (2011 Season: 12-9, 3.79 ERA) to the mound. During his stint with the Rays, Jackson pitched 4.1 innings in the postseason, earning an ERA of 2.08, but never actually started a Playoff game. After spending most of his career playing in the AL, Jackson has enjoyed the contrasting styles of plays both leagues possess.
"Being in the National League, it's a different ballgame definitely," Jackson said. "It's a different style of play. But at the end of the day, it's a lot of fun. So you get a chance to help yourself out, being that we get a chance to hit. So I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
My Phillies vs Cardinals Game 4 MLB Playoffs 2011 Pick: Even though there’s blood on the water, I still believe the Cards can hold off the Phillies for one more game. Jackson is going to have to be at his best in order to keep Philadelphia’s lineup from putting up a crooked number on the board. Nevertheless, I like St. Louis at +1½ tonight at home.
