By: Sonny Lafouchi
http://www.NSAwins.com
8/23/2006 8:49:15 AM
Today the National Sports Advisors look for St Louis and NY Mets to score under 9.5 runs tonight.
Mark Mulder (6-5, 6.09 ERA) toes the slab tonight for St Louis. Mulder started the season 5-1 with a 3.69 ERA after defeating the Mets 1-0 on May 17 at Busch Stadium.
The left-hander's season went down hill after that outing, however, going 1-4 with an 11.39 ERA in his next six starts before being placed on the DL June 21 with an injury in his throwing shoulder.
After three minor league rehab starts for Triple-A Memphis, Mulder said pain did not bother him and pronounced himself ready to return to the Cardinals staff.
Mulder defeated Steve Trachsel (12-5, 4.79), who tops the hill for the Mets Wednesday, on May 17, but Trachsel is a dominant 10-1 in 16 starts since. His 10 wins since June 9 are the most in the National League, and place him in a tie with John Garland of the Chicago White Sox for the major league lead.
Trachsel won his third consecutive start on Friday, giving up three runs in seven innings of a 6-3 victory over Colorado.
The right-hander is 9-9 with a 4.36 ERA in 27 career starts against St Louis, but has not picked up a win against them since Sept. 22, 1999.
The bottom line is Trachsel has been pitching superb and we look for him to limit the Cardinals to no more than a few runs. Mulder claims he is ready to go and that his shoulder is fine and we think he can give St Louis 5 strong innings before the bullpen takes over and does the rest.
Play the UNDER.