Friday, April 11, 8:15 PM on CSN+, FSMW

Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

Chicago - Samardzija, J (0-1) vs. St Louis - Kelly, J (1-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Friday night Jeff Samardzija will get the ball for the Chicago Cubs as they face Joe Kelly and the St. Louis Cardinals.  Samardzija will make his 3rd start of the 2014 season as Kelly makes his second.

Jeff Samardzija is still seeking his first win of the year as he goes into this game.  In his last outing, which was 7 innings of work, Samardzija gave up just 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out 8. But it wasn’t enough.   If he gets some run support from the Cubs’ hitters, he could have a solid season if he continues pitching the way he has so far.

Samardzija started 2 games against the Cardinals last season and earned a 1 – 1 record with an ERA of 3.14.  He has seen many of the big names in the Cards’ lineup before but he will definitely watch out for Yadier Molina.  Molina is batting .529 with 9 hits and 2 RBIs against Samardzija. 

Joe Kelly opened his season strong with a 5.1 inning, 1 run and 6 hit performance that got him the win.  He struck out 4 but walked 4 as well.  If there was an area of concern for the Cardinals, it would be the 107 pitches that Kelly threw.

Kelly faced the Cubs 5 times in 2013 (including 3 starts) and came away with a 3 – 0 record and an ERA of 1.96.  In those appearances, Kelly had 19 strikeouts and 7 walks.   Chicago’s Nate Schierholtz has 4 hits (including 3 doubles) in 10 at-bats.      

Chicago Betting Trends

Chicago is 1-4-1 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Chicago is -0.5

St Louis Betting Trends

St Louis is 3-3-1 against the Over/Under

Run differential for St Louis is -0.4

Injuries to Watch

Chicago

03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)
03/28/14 P Jake Arrieta Shoulder 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Kyuji Fujikawa Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)

St Louis

03/31/14 2B Mark Ellis Knee 15-day DL (3/27)
03/30/14 P Jaime Garcia Shoulder 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Jason Motte Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)

Guy's Pick: Take St. Louis

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