MLB Odds & Picks: St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers

Written August 19, 2009 by Jordan Haimowitz

cardinals-dodgers-predictions-081909 The Cardinals dropped the second game of this series last night 7-3 to the Dodgers. Spot starter Mitchell Boggs got hit hard yesterday which did not help his cause for a post season roster spot. They take the field tonight in what is a spotlight rubber game between two of the NL powerhouse clubs. Behind the bats of Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday, the Cardinals have a real chance to make it to the World Series this season. Second tier talent like Ryan Ludwick, Mark DeRosa, Rick Ankiel and rookie Colby Rasmus is the key ingredient to a championship team along with stout pitching. Adam Wainwright takes the mound tonight, he is 14-7 with a 2.62 ERA on the season. While pitchers like Dan Haren, Tim Lincecum, Johan Santana and his teammate Chris Carpenter get all the recognition, Wainwright has been as dominant and as clutch. In six starts since the all-star break he has gone 4-2 with a 1.30 ERA in six starts. During night outings Wainwright is 11-4 with a 2.07 ERA. What else can ya say besides the kid loves the bright lights? In one start against the Dodgers this season he went 8 innings allowing 8 hits and no runs picking up the win in dominating fashion. Three to four runs by either team will be enough tonight, the question is who gets their first. St. Louis is getting odds here which in my eyes makes them a very attractive play. The Cardinals are 14-12 against the NL West this season. What a game this will be. Wednesday’s baseball lines have the Dodgers as -127 money line favorites against the Cardinals with the total set at 7.5 runs.

The Dodgers won a 7-3 contest last night against St. Louis to even this series at one a piece. Manny Ramirez hit well yesterday along with Andre Ethier. James Loney has been one of the more under appreciated players for this team all season long. The issue tonight will be if their young star center fielder Matt Kemp will be okay to go as he is suffering from flu like symptoms. Kemp leads the team with a .312 batting average while adding 17 home runs and 76 RBIs to date. With third baseman Casey Blake seemingly faltering game by game, it will be crucial for guys like Orlando Hudson and Russell Martin to help out Manny, Kemp and Ethier throughout the season. The Dodgers counter the Cards Wainwright tonight with a young flame thrower in Clayton Kershaw. On the season Clayton is 8-7 with a 2.91 ERA. In six starts since the break he has a 2.23 ERA. In thirteen home starts this season he has a 1.86 ERA. If his offense wasn’t so pathetic when he pitched the kid would have 13 wins at this point. In one start against the Cardinals this season he embarrassed them going 8 innings allowing no runs and seven hits while striking out seven batters and holding them as a team to a .154 BA. This kid is one of the most electric pitchers in baseball period and is every bit good enough to out-duel his counter part tonight. The x-factor tonight, none other than Manny Ramirez. Look for the slugger to have a monster game and for the Dodgers to pull off a close one in a low-scoring game.

Haimo’s Hot Notes: The Cardinals are 3-8 in their last 11 games as an underdog. The Dodgers are 37-23 at home this season. In the last 51 meetings, the Cardinals are 35-16 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tonight we have a statement game and in my opinion, the most important statement game for these two teams so far this season. Wainwright vs Kershaw, Pujols vs Manny and La Russa vs Torre. Two World Series contenders squaring off in a rubber game. Now this is baseball. Picks below, enjoy.

Jordan’s Picks: Los Angeles Dodgers -127 & Under 7.5 (+100)

Get Jordan’s Picks — Wow, another unfortunate break. None the less we had a 1-0-1 night yeserday and the OVER in the Cards/Dodgers game was a hit while papelbon cost us on the -1 with the Sox as they pushed winning 10-9. +850 Units over the last 60 days, always a consistent long term winner. Remember, you can get Jordan’s NCAAF season package now at a MAJOR discounted price. Lets get rockin.

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