MLB Baseball
2011-04-22 - Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Baseball : North America : MLB
Friday, April 22nd, 2011, 8:15PM US
(1:15AM GMT)
CINCINNATI REDS (10-9) Streak: W1
Cincinnati travelled to St. Louis after ending their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 7-4 win. It was the least they could do as they would have been swept at home had they not won. The Reds have struggled defensively and allowed 36 runs to be scored by Arizona. Not the best form to set out on to face the Cardinals.
The Cincinnati Reds will send Edinson Volquez to the mound tonight. his record reads 2-0 but that is misleading. He has started 4 games and has a 6.75ERA in that time, with the only good performance coming against the Padres, who can't hit. In just over 22 innings of work this season, Volquez has issued 16 walks, more than 3 times what tonights Cardinals pitcher has allowed so far.
In head to head, Volquez has a 1-1 record against the Cardinals in 4 starts with a 4.89ERA, allowing 8 runs in just over 7 innings of work in his last game agains St. Louis. The only start he had in this stadium was a disaster, as he lasted just 1 inning and then missed more than a year for reconstructive elbow surgery. He will have a hard time facing the likes of Pujols and Holliday, who are likely to add to their homerun count.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (10-9) Streak: W2
The Cardinals come into this having won their last 2 matches, against the Washington Nationals. Yesterday, the defence was perfect in blanking the Nationals in a 5-0 win. Kyle Lohse pitched a 2 hit game to give them their 3rd straight series win this season.
Kyle McClellan will pitch for the home team today and unlike his opposition he has been excellent this season. He is 2-0 with a 1.89ERA, issuing just 5 walks. He is actually getting better with each game, with his last 2 starts being the best.
Albert Pujols is 3 for 7 with two homers and 4 walks versus Volquez, so will be a big danger tonight. He has 5 homers, and 10RBIs in his last 9 games and connected with a 2 run homer just yesterday in that 5-0 win over the Nationals. Matt Holliday also homered yesterday, and is now batting .538 in his last 7 games. The offensive form is certainly there to do a lot of damage to the Reds tonight.
BETTING VERDICT
I'm going to suggest a bet on St. Louis winning this one. You should also have a punt on the RL as the Cardinals look like they tag the Reds for a few runs tonight.
The Pick :
St. Louis Cardinals
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take the St Louis Cardinals to win @ 1.80 (Pinnacle)
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take the St. Louis Cardinals -1.5RL @ 2.62 (Pinnacle)
