The Saint Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets will continue their four-game MLB betting series at Citi Field on Tuesday with a clash between well-rested righties.
Time: 7:10 PM
Venue: Citi Field, New York City, New York
Online gambling odds for fans who bet on baseball:
Cardinals -1½ (+140) 9½ (+105) -116
Mets +1½ (-160) 9½ (-125) +106
Saint Louis Cardinals (45-47)
On the mound: Michael Wacha (RHP, 6-3, 4.10 ERA, 86 K) allowed only two runs on 10 hits in 11 2/3 innings in his last two starts before the All Star break, in each of which he had a season-best nine strikeouts, and recorded a swinging or called strike on 33.8% of his throws (compared with 28.4% over his first 14 appearances) and finished off a strikeout on 25.4% of his two-strike pitches, an increase from 17.9% – all of which may have well saved his spot in the starting rotation, considering how he had an 8.17 ERA in six starts before that. He has won four of his last six starts. Wacha will be throwing on 11 days’ rest for the second time this season. The Cards have made sure to give a pitcher who has dealt with shoulder issues two of the last three seasons plenty of rest.
At bat: First baseman Matt Carpenter will enter tonight with 20-game on-base streak and could tie Yadier Molina’s team-best mark set from May 1st to 27th.
Trends for fans who bet on baseball: The Redbirds have won and covered in four of their last six overall games as well as in their last six road games, and ditto their last six against the Mets. The MLB betting total has gone under in four of their last six overall games in their last six games on the road.
>New York Mets (41-49)
On the mound: Rafael Montero (RHP, 1-5, 5.77 ERA, 43 K) would be one of the worst pitchers in the majors in walks per nine innings, but he doesn’t even have the innings to qualify for that. Thank god for small favors, right? The Dominican will continue walking like an Egyptian, though, until Robert Gsellman, Noah Syndergaard, or Matt Harvey return from the DL. In all fairness, though, Montero has shown flashes of potential; he went 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA, struck out 13 walked four in 12 innings before the break and followed those starts with a relief outing against the Cards on July 8th. In two-thirds of an inning, Montero allowed one run and struck out two.
At bat: Outfielder Jay Bruce has hit safely in eight straight games. Bruce has accrued 13 total hits and four homers in that period.
Miscellanea: Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes returned to the lineup on Monday after missing a game and a half with a sore left hip. Manager Terry Collins said Cespedes is no longer an injury concern and should continue to start in left field in this series. However, the Metsies will monitor him on a daily basis given his recent string of lower-body problems, such as multiple hamstring and quad strains the past two years.
Trends for fans who bet on baseball: The MLB betting total has gone under in 10 of the Mets’ last 14 times hosting the Cards.