Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Busch Stadium in St. Louis

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Wednesday afternoon, Edinson Volquez (11 - 7, 3.45 ERA) gets the call for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they face Shelby Miller (8 - 9, 4.19 ERA) and the St. Louis Cardinals. Both pitchers will be making their 27^th starts and 28^th appearances.

Edinson Volquez didn't get the decision in his last start despite a solid effort from the veteran right-hander. In 7.2 innings of work, Volquez allowed just a run on 3 hits. He walked 3 and struck out 6. Volquez has alternated between great and mediocre in recent weeks but he has managed to post a 5 -1 record in his last 10 outings. In 2013, Volquez finished the year with a 9 - 12 record and a 5.71 ERA in 32 starts and a relief appearance for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres.

Last season, Volquez was 1 - 1 with a 6.55 ERA in 2 starts against the Cardinals. This season, he is 1 - 1 in 4 starts against St. Louis.

Shelby Miller pitched to his 3^rd straight no-decision his last time out. Even though he surrendered 2 runs (on 2 solo homers) and 4 hits in 7 innings while walking 2 and striking out 3, he didn't get factor in the final result. Miller has been up and down in recent weeks and has just a 1 -2 record in his last 10 appearances. Last season, he posted a record of 15 - 9 with a 3.06 ERA in 31 starts.

In 2013, Miller went 0 - 4 with a 5.32 ERA in his 4 encounters with the Pirates. This season, Miller is 2 - 2 in 4 starts against Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Pirates are 62-66-8 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Pittsburgh Pirates is 0

St Louis Cardinals Betting Trends

St Louis Cardinals are 62-68-6 against the Over/Under

Run differential for St Louis Cardinals is -0.1

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh Pirates

08/31/14 3B Pedro Alvarez Foot questionable
08/18/14 P Charlie Morton Hernia 15-day DL (8/16)
08/16/14 P Stolmy Pimentel Ankle 15-day DL (8/14)

St Louis Cardinals

09/01/14 2B Kolten Wong Head questionable
08/26/14 RF Shane Robinson Shoulder 15-day DL (8/25); out for season
08/08/14 P Jason Motte Back 15-day DL (8/1)
07/06/14 P Jaime Garcia Shoulder 60-day DL (6/24), out for season
06/23/14 P Michael Wacha Shoulder 60-day DL (6/21)
05/13/14 P Tyler Lyons Shoulder 15-day DL (5/12)

Josh's Pick: Take St. Louis

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