Sports betting online odds at the sportsbook will see John Smoltz starting for the St. Louis Cardinals, probably this weekend at San Diego. The Cardinals added the 42-year old former Cy Young winner after he was cut by Boston. Sportsbetting stats had Smoltz going 2-5 with an 8.33 ERA in eight starts for the Red Sox.
Sportsbetting online information told us that the Cardinals are hoping that Smoltz can take over the fifth spot in their rotation or provide relief in the bullpen. “He had very little demands,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said, “He had no demands. From everything he had heard about this club, he was excited to take this opportunity. The reason for the start was just to get him work and know what we have.”
The Cardinals really have nothing to lose by signing Smoltz. Boston is paying most of his contract as sportsbetting online info has it, so St. Louis gets a chance to look at Smoltz basically for nothing. The Cardinals really wanted Smoltz to take a chance with them. He talked with manager Tony La Russa, pitching coach Dave Duncan and former teammate Mark DeRosa. Sportsbetting online stats show that Smoltz is 212-152 with a 3.32 ERA and 154 saves in 21 seasons. He is the only player in history with 200 wins and 150 saves as sports betting statistics tell us.
Sports betting online numbers show that the Cardinals could use a fifth starter in their rotation. Sports betting stats have them with Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Joel Pineiro and Kyle Lohse. Todd Wellemeyer was the fifth starter but he is now on the DL as sports betting online info shows, and didn’t pitch well when he had the chance in the rotation. Mitchell Boggs has had the job recently as online betting stats indicate but he is really just a long reliever. While the fifth starter spot is a concern in the regular season, in the playoffs it is meaningless.
Sportsbetting information tells us that the Cardinals could be grooming Smoltz for the setup role in the bullpen. Closer Ryan Franklin has had an excellent season but St. Louis has no one to set him up as Jason Motte has not pitched well in that role. Smoltz has said he wants to start but the reality is that he is better suited to a relief role. With the chance to go to the World Series again and make a sports betting online impact, Smoltz may be willing to go into that role with the Cardinals.