Friday, April 4, 7:05 PM on FSMW, ROOT

PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

St Louis - (R) Miller, S (0-0) vs. Pittsburgh - (R) Cole, G (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Pittsburgh extends their season opening home stand as they welcome division rival St. Louis to town for three games. The pitching battle is one of solid youngsters as Gerrit Cole of Pittsburgh takes on St. Louis' Shelby Miller. In 2013 Miller finished 3rd in Rookie of the Year balloting after he went 15-9 in 31 starts in his first full year in the bigs. Miller's 3.06 ERA ranked him 10th in the NL against qualified starters and he looks to put a slow Spring behind him (1-2, 5.93 ERA) to get back to his real self.

The Pirates were one of the few teams to dominate Miller in 2013 as the Cardinals pitcher went 0-4 against the Bucs. Miller allowed 6 HR and 13 ER over just 22 IP for a 5.32 ERA against Pittsburgh. It's not as if the Cardinals offense helped out Miller against the Pirates though as they only scored 1 run total in those 4 appearances.

Gerrit Cole makes his first start of the year for Pittsburgh as the team's #4 starter. Cole enjoyed his first season in the major leagues a year-ago, posting double-digit wins with a 10-7 record. The 23-year-old right-hander made 19 starts after being called up in June due to injuries and finished with a 3.22 ERA. Cole needs to limit the long ball as he enters the 2014 regular season after allowing 3 HR in just 11.2 IP in spring training.

Friday night's game marks the first time in his career that Cole with face the Cardinals. The only member of St. Louis that has faced Cole in any fashion is newly acquired CF Peter Bourjos, who went 1-2 against the pitcher last season with Anaheim.

St Louis Betting Trends

St Louis is 0-1-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for St Louis is +1.0

Pittsburgh Betting Trends

Pittsburgh is 0-1-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Pittsburgh is +1.0

Injuries to Watch

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)

Pittsburgh 

03/30/14 C Chris Stewart Knee 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Jeff Locke Side 15-day DL (3/21)

Tony's Pick: Take St. Louis

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