Monday, August 25, 2014

PNC Park in Pittsburgh

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Monday night, John Lackey (12 – 8, 3.88 ERA) takes his turn for the St. Louis Cardinals as they take on Francisco Liriano (3 - 10, 4.18 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Lackey makes his 26th start as Liriano makes his 23rd.

John Lackey pitched to his 2nd straight no-decision in his last outing.   In 6 innings of work, Lackey surrendered 4 runs on 4 hits (including a home run).  He walked a batter and struck out 7.  Lackey has had 3 good starts and one bad one for the Cards since coming over from the Boston Red Sox but he is just 1 – 1 in those 4 starts.  Overall, he is 4 -4 in his last 10 outings.  Last season, Lackey started 29 games for the Red Sox and compiled a 10 – 13 record with a 3.52 ERA.

Lackey didn’t face the Pirates in 2013 and he has only seen 6 of the Pittsburgh hitters before.  Travis Snider is 4 for 8 against Lackey with 2 doubles and 3 RBIs.

Francisco Liriano lost his 3rd straight start his last time out.  In the loss, Liriano was torched for 9 runs and 10 hits (including a home run) in just 4 innings of work.  He walked 3 batters and struck out 4.  The 9 runs were a season-high for Liriano and the most that he had allowed since May.   He is just 2 - 5 in his last 10 starts but he’s been a victim of poor run support in some of those outings.  In 2013, Liriano was 16 – 8 with a 3.02 ERA in 26 starts. 

Last season, Liriano was a perfect 3 – 0 with a 0.75 ERA in 3 starts against the Cardinals.  This season, he is 0 – 1 in 3 starts against St. Louis.            

St Louis Cardinals Betting Trends

St Louis Cardinals are 59-63-6 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for St Louis Cardinals is 0

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Pirates are 62-59-8 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Pittsburgh Pirates is 0.1

Injuries to Watch

St Louis Cardinals

08/19/14 2B Mark Ellis Oblique 15-day DL (8/15)
08/08/14 P Jason Motte Back 15-day DL (8/1)
07/10/14 C Yadier Molina Thumb 15-day DL (7/9)
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)

Pittsburgh Pirates

08/18/14 P Charlie Morton Hernia 15-day DL (8/16)
08/16/14 P Stolmy Pimentel Ankle 15-day DL (8/14)
07/06/14 SS Clint Barmes Groin 15-day DL (6/30)

Tony's Pick: Take St. Louis

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