MLB Baseball
2012-04-14 - Chicago Cubs at St Louis Cardinals
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: Major League Baseball
Saturday 14 April 2012 - First Pitch 1:05pm ET
6:05pm (British Standard Time)
Preview
Ummmm, so that didn't exactly go to plan for the St Louis Cardinals (5-3) in their season opener last night as they fell to a 9-5 loss to the Chicago Cubs (3-5). The Cubs battered the Cardinals early, scoring all their runs in the first 4 innings, and then they managed to see off a late St Louis rally. Now they try to match the same number of wins at this ballpark as they got in all of last season.
Chicago had struggled from the plate in the early stages of the season, but they have now scored 17 runs in their last 2 games and it is possible they are going to need another outpouring if they are to win their third straight game.
They send Chris Volstad to the mound to make his second start of the season after he gave up 3 runs from 5 innings pitched against the Milwaukee Brewers in an eventual 7-5 loss.
Volstad has struggled against St Louis in the past, giving up 5 runs from 5 innings pitched here last season as a Florida Marlin, while he has only kept them off the scoreboard in 1 of his 4 career starts against them. Outside of that shut out, Volstad has an 8.04 ERA against the Cardinals.
St Louis are missing one of their ace pitchers in Chris Carpenter from the rotation, but they will feel they can plug the gap if Lance Lynn can back up his first start of the season. Lynn limited Milwaukee to 1 run from 2 hits in just under 7 innings pitched as he made a change from a relief pitcher to a starter.
Lynn had a 3.12 ERA in 35 innings pitched for the Cardinals last season and he also shut out Chicago in his only appearance against them as he saw 6 batters and retired all of them.
Head to Head
The Cubs won just 2 of their 9 games played here last season and they will look to match that output in the second game of their opening series here.
Prediction
I am going back the well that was seemingly empty last night and backing the St Louis Cardinals to win this game on the run line.
My biggest concern is the fact that the Chicago Cubs bats have come alive in the last couple of games, but I do think the Cardinals will also find their successes against Chris Volstad.
St Louis will also be presented with their rings today and there is an awkward stat somewhere in the back of my mind that suggests winning teams receiving their rings, or unfurling their banners, usually underperform in these circumstances.
I just think the Cardinals came out a little slack yesterday and they may get back to basics here.
The Pick :
St Louis Cardinals 8-6 Chicago Cubs
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back the St Louis Cardinals - 1.5 Runs @ 2.10
