Cubs -135 at St. Louis Cardinals
Game Time: 09/11/2008 08:15 PM -
By: Matt Fargo | sportspic.com
Wednesday's win might be enough to snap the Cubs out of their recent funk, not to mention Chicago has Rich Harden on the mound tonight in St. Louis against the Cardinals.
The Cubs got a much-needed win last night after blowing a 3-0 lead on Tuesday which was their eighth loss in the last nine games. This comes after a seven-game winning streak so it is obvious that this is just a short-term issue.
The pitching is getting back in form with three straight good performances after a stretch of seven games of allowing an average of 6.4 RPG. While winning on the road was a problem early in the season, the Cubs are 15-4 in their last 19 road games.
After that big come from behind win on Tuesday, the Cardinals gave one back last night and it could be lights out as Houston has now taken over third place in the Wild Card standings. It has not been a great run as they have dropped seven of their last 11 games and while the pitching has been hot, the batting has not. St. Louis has averaged just 3.6 RPG over this 11-game stretch while hitting only .249. St. Louis has dropped 16 of the last 24 meetings in this series.
The Cubs' pitching has been streaky of late but one pitcher who has not been streaky is Rich Harden. He has been spectacular since coming over from Oakland as he is 4-1 with a 1.50 ERA in nine starts. The Cubs have gone 7-2 in those nine games including wins in six straight. Even with the recent team struggles, the Cubs gave Harden a skip in the rotation as to keep him fresh for the playoff drive and the playoffs themselves. He has allowed only two runs in three road starts.
Todd Wellemeyer has been pitching very well also with two straight quality starts but they cane after two straight non-quality outings. While he has not blown up much, he has been rather inconsistent, especially at home. He has a 4.75 ERA in 15 starts with only five of those outings being quality performances. His WHIP of 1.41 does not bode well against this offense either. He is coming off the biggest pitch count of his career last time out so his arm could have some 'dead' effects. Play Chicago for 1½ units.
Free Pick: Cubs -135
Game Time: 09/11/2008 08:15 PM -
By: Matt Fargo | sportspic.com
Wednesday's win might be enough to snap the Cubs out of their recent funk, not to mention Chicago has Rich Harden on the mound tonight in St. Louis against the Cardinals.
The Cubs got a much-needed win last night after blowing a 3-0 lead on Tuesday which was their eighth loss in the last nine games. This comes after a seven-game winning streak so it is obvious that this is just a short-term issue.
The pitching is getting back in form with three straight good performances after a stretch of seven games of allowing an average of 6.4 RPG. While winning on the road was a problem early in the season, the Cubs are 15-4 in their last 19 road games.
After that big come from behind win on Tuesday, the Cardinals gave one back last night and it could be lights out as Houston has now taken over third place in the Wild Card standings. It has not been a great run as they have dropped seven of their last 11 games and while the pitching has been hot, the batting has not. St. Louis has averaged just 3.6 RPG over this 11-game stretch while hitting only .249. St. Louis has dropped 16 of the last 24 meetings in this series.
The Cubs' pitching has been streaky of late but one pitcher who has not been streaky is Rich Harden. He has been spectacular since coming over from Oakland as he is 4-1 with a 1.50 ERA in nine starts. The Cubs have gone 7-2 in those nine games including wins in six straight. Even with the recent team struggles, the Cubs gave Harden a skip in the rotation as to keep him fresh for the playoff drive and the playoffs themselves. He has allowed only two runs in three road starts.
Todd Wellemeyer has been pitching very well also with two straight quality starts but they cane after two straight non-quality outings. While he has not blown up much, he has been rather inconsistent, especially at home. He has a 4.75 ERA in 15 starts with only five of those outings being quality performances. His WHIP of 1.41 does not bode well against this offense either. He is coming off the biggest pitch count of his career last time out so his arm could have some 'dead' effects. Play Chicago for 1½ units.
Free Pick: Cubs -135