PREMIUM
Rogers' Coach's Clinic ~ MIND-BLOWING 67-35-1 MLB Run!
(MLB) St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh,
Money Line: 100.00 Pittsburgh (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: 100.00 Pittsburgh (Home)
Result: Loss
The St. Louis Cardinals are nine games back of the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central, but they've won five of their last six to overtake the Pittsburgh Pirates for second place in the division. A six-run 12th inning saw them win the opener of a three-game series against the Pirates at PNC Park last night, but I think the home team will tie up the series Saturday night.
Here are my keys to the game:
1. Pitching - The Bucs hand the ball to Francisco Liriano (4-5, 5.25) who was lit up for seven runs on 10 hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings on June 3. He has received some extra rest following that disastrous outing, and he's 7-2 with a 2.41 ERA versus St. Louis which counters with Carlos MartÃnez (6-5, 3.76 ERA). Martinez is 2-4 with a 4.57 ERA versus the Pirates and lasted just 3 1/3 innings of a 4-2 loss against Pittsburgh on May 6 due to fatigue. Liriano recorded 10 strikeouts while holding the Cards to a pair of runs in seven innings in that very same contest.
2. Home Cookin' - The Cardinals are 7-1 in their last eight home games against a team with a winning road record, and they're 14-2 in Liriano's last 16 home starts. The Cardinals are 1-4 in the last five meetings in Pittsburgh.
3. X-Factor - Gregory Polanco is 8-for-14 with a pair of doubles, a triple and five walks in previous meetings with Martinez.
Selection: This is a play on the Pittsburgh Pirates (8*)
Here are my keys to the game:
1. Pitching - The Bucs hand the ball to Francisco Liriano (4-5, 5.25) who was lit up for seven runs on 10 hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings on June 3. He has received some extra rest following that disastrous outing, and he's 7-2 with a 2.41 ERA versus St. Louis which counters with Carlos MartÃnez (6-5, 3.76 ERA). Martinez is 2-4 with a 4.57 ERA versus the Pirates and lasted just 3 1/3 innings of a 4-2 loss against Pittsburgh on May 6 due to fatigue. Liriano recorded 10 strikeouts while holding the Cards to a pair of runs in seven innings in that very same contest.
2. Home Cookin' - The Cardinals are 7-1 in their last eight home games against a team with a winning road record, and they're 14-2 in Liriano's last 16 home starts. The Cardinals are 1-4 in the last five meetings in Pittsburgh.
3. X-Factor - Gregory Polanco is 8-for-14 with a pair of doubles, a triple and five walks in previous meetings with Martinez.
Selection: This is a play on the Pittsburgh Pirates (8*)
