Washington Nationals @ Philadelphia Phillies Series Overview

Game 1: Monday, May 21

If you are interested in betting on baseball this season, the upcoming three-game series between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies is going to prove to be challenging. One simply has to realize that these teams are not used to being in the positions they currently inhabit. Washingtons franchise has been firmly ensconced at the bottom of the National League East since it relocated to the American capital city from Montreal several years ago. Philadelphia used to be a sad-sack franchise, but over the past five years, few teams have won with the consistency displayed by the Phillies. Philadelphia has made the playoffs in each of the past five seasons, winning one World Series in 2008 and capturing the National League pennant as well in 2009.

Its jarring, to say the least, to look at the 2012 MLB standings and see Washington battling Atlanta for first place in the National League East while Philadelphia sits in the cellar. Does this mean that Washington is an elite team and that Philadelphia is going to fall short of the playoffs this year? Its possible, but then again, its only May. The season is still young, and theres plenty of time for the Phillies to find their footing. This series marks the very kind of occasion in which Philadelphia will try to begin to make a charge and show the Nationals whos still the boss in the N.L. East.

That last point Philadelphias desire to make a move will probably enter into game one of this three-game set on Monday in the City of Brotherly Love. Washington starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez brings a glowing 1.94 earned-run average into this game, while Philadelphia will go with starter Vance Worley, carrying a 3.07 ERA into battle. The raw numbers suggest that Washington has the advantage here, but Philadelphias hitters are going to be very motivated for this game. The Phillies will take pitches, work counts, and play with a little extra aggression in this contest. The Phillies need to win this series, and theyll take a big step in that direction in game one.

MLB Betting Pick: Philadelphia

Game 2: Tuesday, May 22

The team that is a mystery for legions of MLB betting experts is the Philadelphia Phillies, and one source of the Phils problems this year has been starting pitcher Roy Halladay. The 3.20 ERA is decent, but its far below Halladays normal standards. The elite pitcher has lost velocity on his pitches this season, giving the Phillies cause for considerable concern. Washington will oppose Hallday in game two of this series with Jordan Zimmermann, who has posted a sharp 2.14 earned-run average. Zimmermann has simply been better and more consistent than Halladay this season. Take the Nationals in game two.

MLB Betting Pick: Washington

Game 3: Wednesday, May 23

The team that online betting sites are wondering about this season is Washington. Are the Nationals for real? Its hard to take that leap of faith just yet. Edwin Jackson will go to the mound for Washington in the finale of the series, bringing a 3.71 earned-run average to the ballyard. Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels has a 2.28 ERA, and hes likely to outduel Jackson in a pitching matchup that clearly favors the Phillies. Take Philadelphia in game three.

MLB Betting Pick: Philadelphia

Chicago White Sox @ Chicago Cubs
Baltimore Orioles @ Washington Nationals
Boston Red Sox @ Philadelphia Phillies
Cincinnati Reds @ New York Yankees
Miami Marlins @ Cleveland Indians
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Detroit Tigers
New York Mets @ Toronto Blue Jays
Atlanta Braves @ Tampa Bay Rays
Texas Rangers @ Houston Astros
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins @ Milwaukee Brewers
Seattle Mariners @ Colorado Rockies
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim @ San Diego Padres
Oakland Athletics @ San Francisco Giants

Non inter-league series: St. Louis Cardinals @ Los Angeles Dodgers

_______________________________________________________________________________

BQ: Do any of these series’ look like World Series match-ups?

Miami Marlins @ Cleveland Indians

Mostly because A.) I’m a Marlins fan and B.) The matchup brings back fond memories.

BQ: No.

I’m most looking forward to the Baltimore Orioles- Nationals matchup: both are 1st in divison, and both are in a way suprise teams. Both teams last year were dead last in diviosn, and now they are making huge strides, it will be interesting to see who wins series

BQ: I see none of these as potential World Series matchups

Mets @ Blue Jays seems interesting, and Red Sox @ Philly, but neither are World Series material. I like the Dodgers and Cardinals series this weekend because I’m a Dodgers fan, but I won’t have much faith in them until I see them face a big name team. They’ve won the games they needed to win against weak teams, but they have to prove themselves against strong teams too.

I’ll be watching the Mets vs. Blue Jays.

BQ: No, I say WS is Tampa Bay vs. St. Louis.

ChiSox vs. Cubs.

For these reasons:

1. I’m a White Sox fan.

No other explanation needed. Why should another series interest me more than my own team’s series?

White Sox
Nationals
Phillies
Yankees
Indians
Tigers
Blue Jays
Braves
Rangers
Royals
Brewers
Rockies
Padres
Athletics
Dodgers

BQ: Braves vs. Rays is the only one that looks like anything close.

I like the Rangers vs Astros the Astros take a few games even though they are a worse team and you can always see Nolan Ryan there he played for both teams although he was more of a Rangers but both teams sell Nolan Ryan memorabilia, and at the end of the year the winner of the series gets to hold the “Silver Boot” trophy all year.

What: MLB Betting
When: Monday, May 21st-Thursday, May 24th
Where: Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, OH
Pick: Cincinnati Reds

Mike Minor (2-3, 7.09) vs. Mike Leake (0-5, 6.21) Monday, 7:00 PM ET

Leake will be hoping that he isnt winless by the time this start rolls around and it hasnt been a great start for the 24-year-old, who is 1-0 in two starts against Atlanta with an ERA of 1.50, but those numbers may not matter much as badly as Leake is struggling. Minor, although he has a couple of wins, is in the same boat as he hasnt had his best stuff and he is simply trying to get to this start without being sent to the minors (pun not intended). Minor, who is also 24, will be going up against the Reds for the first time in his career, but a 7.53 ERA on the road isnt encouraging and he has given up six runs or more in each of his last four starts.

Your best bet is to lean towards Cincinnati at home in this matchup.

free sports picks: Cincinnati Reds

Brandon Beachy (4-1, 1.60) vs. Mat Latos (2-2, 4.54) Tuesday, 7:10 PM ET

Beachy has been strong since losing in his 2012 debut, and he has made one start against the Reds in his career, taking a no-decision in Cincinnati last season. Latos had a rough start after he was acquired from San Diego, but he seems to be settling into his new surroundings and he has been good against the Braves with a 2-2 record in five starts to go with a 2.43 ERA.

Latos is 1-1 in four starts at home with a 3.91 ERA, and Beachy is 3-1 in five road starts with a 1.74 ERA. Even though those are great numbers, give the edge to an improving Latos in Cincinnati.

free sports picks: Cincinnati Reds

Tommy Hanson (4-3, 3.43) vs. Bronson Arroyo (2-1, 3.25) Wednesday, 7:10 PM ET

Arroyo has a ton of experience against the Braves with 15 appearances (14 starts), posting a record of 6-3, but he has a 5.68 ERA and is 0-1 in four home starts with an ERA of 4.94. Hanson has had his issues with the Reds in the past, going 1-2 in four starts with a 5.03 ERA, but he has been better away from home than at Turner Field, going 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA. Despite is record against the Reds, Hanson has been phenomenal in Cincinnati, splitting a pair of starts and posting an ERA of 0.68 ERA.

MLB betting sharps can never be too sure what theyre going to get from Arroyo; he is a little like A.J. Burnett in that respect. Some days he looks like a world-beater, and others he cant get out of the third, and he has been like that throughout his entire career, which makes it difficult to get behind him. Hanson has been throwing the ball well as of late, and the Braves should get their first win of the series.

free sports picks: Atlanta Braves

Randall Delgado (2-3, 3.79) Vs. Homer Bailey (1-3, 4.35) Thursday, 7:10 PM ET

Bailey hasnt had his best stuff this season, but he has also pitched well in spurts and its enough that hell be in the rotation for a while now. He is 1-0 in two starts against the Braves with an ERA of 2.13, but Bailey is 0-1 in his first three starts at home with a 4.50 ERA. The Braves, on the other hand, have started Randall Delgado in this spot the past two trips around the rotation and the rookie has done well; his last outing actually came against the Reds, and he didnt give up any earned runs in 6.2 innings of work. Delgado is eighth in the National League in walks, but that is to be expected of a young pitcher who is still figuring out what a major-league strike zone is.

However, that outing was in Atlanta and now Delgado will head out on the road to Cincinnati, and he hasnt gotten out of the sixth inning in all three of his road starts in 2012. This is the perfect game for Bailey to get on track and jumpstart his season, facing a team that he has been successful against in the past. Thats a big reason why you should take Cincinnati to end the series in your sports betting picks.

free sports picks: Cincinnati Reds

Boston Red Sox @ Philadelphia Phillies Series Overview

Game 1: Friday, May 18

If you are interested in betting on baseball this season, the upcoming three-game series between the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies presents the kinds of situations in which raw numbers arent all theyre cracked up to be. The first installment of this three-game series pits Boston starter Daniel Bard, with an earned-run average of 4.30, against Philadelphia hurler Cole Hamels, who totes a snappy 2.28 ERA at the moment. Hamels is a better pitcher than Bard; you wont get any argument on the matter from a baseball betting expert. However, one must also realize that earned-run averages in the American League and the National League have to be taken with a grain of salt. The American League, because of its use of the designated hitter, is a much tougher league in which to pitch. An ERA just above four runs per game is a lot worse in the National League than in the American League.

If Bard and Hamels switched leagues, their earned-run averages, currently two runs apart, would probably be within three-fourths of a run, maybe only half a run. The sense here is that Bostons better batting order will make Hamels work. Hamels relies on his mixture of speeds to get hitters out, so as long as Bostons hitters are patient, they will get hittable pitches in the strike zone. This game should be very close, but Boston is in a position where it can wear down the Phillies arms. The Red Sox will strike first and prove that ERAs dont tell the whole story in a baseball game not all the time, at least.

MLB Betting Pick: Boston

Game 2: Saturday, May 19

The team that is a mystery for a lot of online sportsbooks is the Philadelphia Phillies, and the big reason for the teams slump is that it has not produced at the plate. In Saturdays game, Jon Lester of the Red Sox, with a 3.71 ERA, will face the Phillies Joe Blanton, who brings a 2.96 earned-run average into Citizens Bank Park. Lester should be able to shut down the Phillies, while Blanton a reliable starter at the back end of the Phillies rotation does not have the overpowering stuff that can silence Bostons bats. Blanton will pitch well, but Lester will pitch better, and thats a recipe for a Red Sox victory in game two.

MLB Betting Pick: Boston

Game 3: Sunday, May 20

The team that online betting sites are not favoring at the moment is Boston. The Red Sox have more weaknesses than the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays, and when they finish this Sunday game, theyre likely to have one more loss. The Red Sox will go with Josh Beckett, who carries a large 5.97 ERA into this game. Philadelphia will trot out its staff ace, Cliff Lee, who has been humming along this season with a 2.17 earned-run average. Lee will dominate, while Beckett immersed in a horrible season will find it hard to outduel his counterpart. Philadelphia will win the finale of this three-game set.

MLB Betting Pick: Philadelphia

I had a baseball signed when i was younger by a few Houston Astros players. I still cant figure out who’s signature this is. It is dated 12-4-99. the link of the picture is below. If someone can figure out what player from the houston astros in 1999 signed this it would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

http://i48.tinypic.com/2lj00bd.jpg

I checked out the picture and I pulled up the 99 roster. I then did a side by side to see if i could get a match. None of them really stood out but in Craig Biggio’s signature the C was extreamly similar. Here is the website so that you can take a look.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=biggicr01

There were 38 players in the 1999 active season
Alex Diaz, Ken Caminiti, Bill Spiers, Lance Berkman, Billy Wagner, Matt Mieske, Brian Williams, Mike Hampton, Carl Everett, Mitch Meluskey, Carlos Hernandez, Paul Bako, Chris Holt, Randy Knorr, Craig Biggio, Richard Hidalgo, Daryle Ward, Ricky Gutierrez, Derek Bell, Russ Johnson, Doug Henry, Ryan Thompson, Glen Barker, Scott Elarton, Jack Howell, Sean Bergman, Jay Powell, Shane Reynolds, Jeff Bagwell, Stan Javier, Jeff McCurry, Tim Bogar, Joe Slusarski, Tony Eusebio, Jose Cabrera, Trever Miller, Jose Lima, Wade Miller
If you have the ball, subtract who it is not, and any that you can be sure it isn’t and try to google the rest with the word autograph. For example, it could be Derek Bell

http://www.sportsmemorabilia.com/player/Derek_Bell/autographed-baseballs/

If it is not one of these, would be hard to find out.

Here’s my list. I’d love to hear other’s.

Baltimore Orioles – Adam Jones
Tampa Bay Rays – Evan Longoria (James Shields if Longo is hurt)
New York Yankees – Derek Jeter
Toronto Blue Jays – Jose Bautista (He will get better)
Boston Red Sox – David Ortiz
Cleveland Indians – Jason Kipniss
Detroit Tigers – Justin Verlander
Chicago White Sox – Jake Peavy
Kansas City Royals – Billy Butler
Texas Rangers – Josh Hamilton
Oakland Athletics – Josh Reddick
Seattle Mariners – Felix Hernandez
Los Angeles Angels – Jered Weaver
Atlanta Braves – Freddie Freeman
Washington Nationals – Stephen Strasburgh
New York Mets – David Wright
Miami Marlins – Omar Infante (Hanley Ramirez when Infante slows down)
Philadelphia Philles – Roy Halladay
St. Louis Cardinals – Carlos Beltran
Cincinatti Reds – Joey Votto
Pittsburgh Pirates – Andrew McCutchen
Houston Astros – Chris Johnson
Milwaukee Brewers – Ryan Braun
Chicago Cubs – Nobody (lol just kidding,) Starlin Castro
Los Angeles Dodgers – Matt Kemp
San Francisco Giants – Pablo Sandoval (Matt Cain when Po is injured)
Arizona Diamondbacks – Jason Kubel
Colorado Rockies – Carlos Gonzales
San Diego Padres – Edinson Volquez

What do other people think!?!?

Baltimore Orioles – Adam Jones
Tampa Bay Rays – David Price
New York Yankees – Derek Jeter
Toronto Blue Jays – Edwin Encarnacion
Boston Red Sox – David Ortiz
Cleveland Indians – Jason Kipniss
Detroit Tigers – Justin Verlander
Chicago White Sox – Paul Konerko
Kansas City Royals – Billy Butler
Texas Rangers – Josh Hamilton
Oakland Athletics – Josh Reddick
Seattle Mariners – Felix Hernandez
Los Angeles Angels – Jered Weaver
Atlanta Braves – Freddie Freeman
Washington Nationals – Stephen Strasburgh
New York Mets – David Wright
Miami Marlins – Anibal Sanchez
Philadelphia Philles – Cole Hamels
St. Louis Cardinals – Carlos Beltran
Cincinatti Reds – Jay Bruce
Pittsburgh Pirates – Andrew McCutchen
Houston Astros – Chris Johnson
Milwaukee Brewers – Ryan Braun
Chicago Cubs – Starlin Castro
Los Angeles Dodgers – Matt Kemp
San Francisco Giants – Matt Cain
Arizona Diamondbacks – Chris Young
Colorado Rockies – Carlos Gonzalez
San Diego Padres – Edinson Volquez

Baltimore Orioles – Adam Jones
Tampa Bay Rays – James Shields
New York Yankees – CC Sabathia
Toronto Blue Jays – Edwin Encarnacion
Boston Red Sox – David Ortiz
Cleveland Indians – Jason Kipnis
Detroit Tigers – Justin Verlander
Chicago White Sox – Jake Peavy
Kansas City Royals – Billy Butler
Texas Rangers – Josh Hamilton
Oakland Athletics – Josh Reddick
Seattle Mariners – Felix Hernandez
Los Angeles Angels – Jered Weaver
Atlanta Braves – Chipper Jones
Washington Nationals – Can I pick a whole staff?? (I guess Strasburg)
New York Mets – David Wright
Miami Marlins – Omar Infante
Philadelphia Philles – Roy Halladay
St. Louis Cardinals – Carlos Beltran
Cincinnati Reds – Joey Votto
Pittsburgh Pirates – Andrew McCutchen
Houston Astros – Jose Altuve
Milwaukee Brewers – Ryan Braun
Chicago Cubs – Brian LaHair
Los Angeles Dodgers – Matt Kemp
San Francisco Giants – Matt Cain
Arizona Diamondbacks – IanKennedy
Colorado Rockies – CarGo
San Diego Padres – Edinson Volquez (I guess)

Wandy Rodriguez should almost certainly replace Johnson for the Astros best player so far.

Yeah, Jose Bautista will likely get better, but he hasn’t been the best player on the team so far. Edwin Encarnacion has been better. Brandon Morrow has done well, also.

Baltimore Orioles – Adam Jones
Tampa Bay Rays – James Shields
New York Yankees – Derek Jeter
Toronto Blue Jays – Edwin Encarnacion
Boston Red Sox – David Ortiz
Cleveland Indians – Jason Kipnis
Detroit Tigers – Justin Verlander
Chicago White Sox – Jake Peavy
Kansas City Royals – Billy Butler
Texas Rangers – Josh Hamilton
Oakland Athletics – Yoenis Cespedes
Seattle Mariners – Felix Hernandez
Los Angeles Angels – Jered Weaver
Atlanta Braves – Michael Bourn
Washington Nationals – Bryce Harper
New York Mets – David Wright
Miami Marlins – Omar Infante
Philadelphia Philles – Roy Halladay
St. Louis Cardinals – Jon Jay
Cincinnati Reds – Joey Votto
Pittsburgh Pirates – Andrew McCutchen
Houston Astros – Wandy Rodriguez
Milwaukee Brewers – Ryan Braun
Chicago Cubs – Brian LaHair
Los Angeles Dodgers – Matt Kemp
San Francisco Giants – Matt Cain
Arizona Diamondbacks – Ian Kenedy
Colorado Rockies – Carlos Gonlez
San Diego Padres – Edinson Volquez

Cleveland Indians @ Minnesota Twins
Monday, 8:10 PM ET

One of the biggest reasons why the best sportsbook bookies are somewhat surprised that it is the Indians on top of the AL Central at this point in the season isnt because of the Tigers struggles, its because of Clevelands numbers. The Indians are the only division leaders in baseball with a scoring differential in the minus, and the only division leader with a sub-.500 record at home. Cleveland has somehow managed to win nine of its first 12 games on the road however, and considering how awful the Twins have been at Target Field the chances are very good that the Indians can improve their mark as the visiting team. Minnesota won just four of its first 14 home games, and with their run differential the absolute worst in the majors the blame can be passed around. Minnesota will send Carl Pavano to the mound to open the series following his shortest start of the season. Pavano lasted only four innings, giving up 10 hits and four earned runs in a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Indians will counter with 24-year old Jeanmar Gomez, and while he is coming off his worst start of the season, he should be fine to bounce back against a struggling Minnesota team as the betting sites favorite.

MLB Betting Pick: Cleveland Indians

Cleveland Indians @ Minnesota Twins
Tuesday, 1:10 PM ET

It wont get any prettier for the Twins with Jason Marquis on the mound for game No. 2, as he continues to walk too many batters and put himself in trouble early on. Marquis has managed to consistently get his ERA down from 7.20 all the way to 5.40 over his past four starts, but that will still be far too many runs to give up with Derek Lowe on the mound for Cleveland. Lowe is 4-1 with a 2.39 ERA this season, and if the Indians can get him some early offense there is no reason to think that he cant go at least seven innings and add to his win total for the online best sportsbook season. Lowe has not given up more than two earned runs in any of his last three starts, so three will be the golden number for the Cleveland offense.

MLB Betting Pick: Minnesota Twins

Late 70s
Early 80s
Late 90s
Early 00s

At this pace, they’re be a good team in the late 10s.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=An7q1nzplOjErXFbVl1303Hsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20120507053149AABy6UU

Astros fans are hoping (realistically so, I think!) that they’ll be competitive within the next couple of years. Their new GM appears to be smart and has made lots of good moves already that have impacted the club this year. Not to mention their semi-rebuilt farm team over the last two years, and there is a lot to be excited about. Their rotation is my biggest worry right now, as starting pitching goes a long way in baseball. Wandy Rodriguez, the anchor of their rotation, could be on his way out of Houston. That leaves Bud Norris as their ace, and he’s yet to prove he’s consistent enough for that role, though he has the “stuff.” Behind him, there are some questions. Although, there are some players in the minors who appear to be legit. The AAA rotation consists of Jordan Lyles and Jared Cosart, both projected to be front-of-the-line starters, and Dallas Keuchel is having a great year so far, though he’s not even in their top 20 prospects.

In a few years they may be contenders. They have a great farm system, and once they come up the Astros will probably be able to sign a few free agents, and they’ll be a great team if everything works out.

Tampa Bay Rays @ Toronto Blue Jays
Monday, 7:07 PM ET

Despite a solid record overall, the Rays have struggled on the road this season with just six wins in 14 games, compared to a 13-3 record at home. The Blue Jays have been absolutely thrilled so far this season with the play of starter Brandon Morrow, who has won each of his last three starts while allowing just one earned run over a combined 21.2 innings of work. Morrow went the distance in his last outing, throwing a complete-game shutout while allowing just three hits and striking out eight in a 5-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Toronto is hoping that he can continue to maintain his consistency as they welcome in the Rays. Tampa Bay will counter with Jeff Niemann for the opener. Niemann has yet to pitch six full innings this year despite throwing over 100 pitches in each of his last two best best sportsbook starts.

MLB Betting Pick: Toronto Blue Jays

Tampa Bay Rays @ Toronto Blue Jays
Tuesday, 7:07 PM ET

Whatever it is that the Blue Jays pitchers have been doing through their last rotation, the players in Toronto have to hope it continues as Henderson Alvarez is another pitcher that threw a complete game shutout against the Angels, and he will start game two against the Rays. Alvarez struck out only three, but gave up just six hits and no runs in a 4-0 win over Los Angeles, bringing his ERA down to 2.83 on the season. Tampa Bay however should be much better equipped in a game that will likely come down to which team makes more mistakes, as they counter with All Star David Price. Price is 5-1 with a 2.35 ERA on the year, and the Rays have won four-straight with him on the mound. Toronto has been the same team at home that it has been on the road, and settling for a split in this two-game mini set with Price pitching the online best sportsbook finale wont necessarily be a bad thing.

MLB Betting Pick: Tampa Bay Rays

Atlanta Braves @ St. Louis Cardinals Series Overview

Game 1: Friday, May 11

If you are interested in betting on baseball this season, the upcoming three-game weekend series between Atlanta and St. Louis should offer a compelling encounter that youll want to study. Mike Minor is Atlantas starter in the first game of this weekend set. He has a 5.97 earned-run average thanks to 15 earned runs allowed in his last two starts. St. Louis will go with starter Jaime Garcia, a lefty who has consistently performed much better at home than on the road. Garcia has a 3.76 ERA, which isnt exactly splashy but is certainly a lot better than anything Minor has been able to manage so far this season. The fact that Garcia is so comfortable pitching at Busch Stadium in St. Louis is what should give the Cardinals an extra advantage on Friday night. It would be hard to go against them in this specific spot.

MLB Betting Pick: St. Louis

Game 2: Saturday, May 12

The when you do your homework and assess your best best sportsbook on this second game of the three-game series, you have to pay attention to the man who will take center stage, Brandon Beachy, the Braves ace of the future. Beachy has been rolling along this season, steaming to a microscopic 1.62 earned-run average with his live, young arm, which has been overwhelming opposing hitters. The Cardinals starter in this game, former staff ace Adam Wainwright, has been struggling to find his rhythm after sitting out the 2011 season due to injury. Wainwright carries a 5.61 ERA into this contest, and its going to be hard for him to match Beachy pitch for pitch. If one had to lay odds on this game, theyd definitely be stacked against the Cardinals. Atlanta is an irresistible choice on Saturday in game two of this highly-anticipated clash. If the starting pitchers gave St. Louis the clear nod on Friday, all indications would suggest that the pendulum is going to swing the other way on Saturday, lending balance to this battle in the Midwest.

MLB Betting Pick: Atlanta

Game 3: Sunday, May 13

The Braves will send right-handed starter Tommy Hanson to the bump. Hanson has posted a 3.63 earned-run average to this point in the season, being an entirely solid pitcher but not a shutdown force. On the other hand, Lance Lynn has dazzled as a new member of the Cardinals starting rotation, ringing up a 1.40 ERA and being a very effective innings-eater for new manager Mike Matheny. Lynns emergence has been one of the reasons the Cardinals have been able to maintain their hold on the National League Central Division through one month of play this season. It only stands to reason that in what could very well be the rubber game of this three-game series, Lynns pitching will be the difference maker, enabling the Cardinals to win this series and affirm their credentials as a betting sites National League favorite.

MLB Betting Pick: St. Louis