Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Busch Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Jason Hammel (7-6) vs. Michael Wacha (15-4)

The Chicago Cubs take on the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday at Busch Stadium. Jason Hammel is the probable starter for the Cubs and he'll face Michael Wacha of the Cardinals. The opening line for this matchup has Chicago at +152 and St. Louis at -162. The over/under was set at 7.5. The Cubs, with a 63-72 run line record, cover the spread 47% of the time. They also have a 59-68 over/under record. The Cardinals are 71-65 against the run line and have a 53-74 over/under record. They cover the spread 52% of the time.

The Cubs come into this game with a 78-57 record, and they are 35-29 away from home. Starting pitcher Jason Hammel holds a 7-6 record with an earned run average of 3.55 and a WHIP of 1.12. The Cubs are 12-14 over his 147 innings pitched and he's also given up 132 hits over that time period. The Cubs are also 12-14 against the over/under in his starts. He is getting 4.1 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 3.58 and they've given up 394 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .239 against the Cubs bullpen while walking 156 times and striking out 413 times. Chicago is averaging 8.65 strikeouts per game while getting 8.21 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 6th in baseball in team earned run average at 3.57.

As a team, Chicago is batting .241, good for 30th in the league while putting together a .245 average away from home. Ranked at 15th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cubs sit at .319 and they hold a .397 team slugging percentage. Anthony Rizzo leads the team in hits with 138 while the team ranks 30th in baseball with 8.13 hits per game.

With a 87-49 overall record, St. Louis will come into this game 49-22 at home. With an earned run average of 2.69, Michael Wacha will come into this game holding a 15-4 record and a 1.12 WHIP. The Cardinals have a record of 19-6 over the 157.1 innings he's pitched during which he's given up 137 hits. The Cardinals are also 11-13 against the over/under in his starts. He is getting 5 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 2.50 and they have given up 362 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .238 against the Cardinals bullpen while walking 147 times and striking out 369 times. St. Louis is averaging 8.04 strikeouts per game while getting 8.28 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 1st in the league in team earned run average at 2.73.

As a team, they are batting .255, good for 11th in the league while putting together a .261 average at home. Ranked at 12th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cardinals sit at .322 and they hold a .392 team slugging percentage. Jhonny Peralta leads the team in hits with 141 while the team ranks 12th in baseball with 8.68 hits a game.

The Cubs have committed 93 errors and have combined for 1,383 assists and 3,650 put outs leading to a .982 team fielding percentage. The Cardinals have committed 80 errors on the season with 1,366 assists and 3,716 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .985 on the year.

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 59-68 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 63-72 against the run line so far this season

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Trends

The St. Louis Cardinals are 53-74 against the over/under so far this season

The St. Louis Cardinals are 71-65 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Chicago Cubs

09/04/15 C Kyle Schwarber Ribs out indefinitely
08/25/15 P Jason Motte Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/24)
08/25/15 RF Jorge Soler Oblique Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/24)
07/29/15 P Neil Ramirez Abdominal Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/29)
04/15/15 2B Tommy La Stella Ribs Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/9)
04/06/15 P Jacob Turner Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

St. Louis Cardinals

09/07/15 2B Kolten Wong Calf has been scratched from today%27s starting lineup
09/07/15 P Lance Lynn Ankle expected to start Monday vs. Chicago Cubs
07/30/15 LF Matt Holliday Quad Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/29)
07/01/15 P Matt Belisle Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/26)
05/27/15 1B Matt Adams Quad Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (05/26)
05/03/15 P Jordan Walden Bicep Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/30)
04/28/15 P Adam Wainwright Achilles Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/25); out for season

Tony's Pick: Take the Cubs

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