Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Busch Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Jon Lester (9-10) vs. Carlos Martinez (13-7)

The St. Louis Cardinals host the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium on Wednesday. The probable starters are Jon Lester for the Cubs and Carlos Martinez for the Cardinals. The opening line for this matchup has Chicago at +112 and St. Louis at -122. The over/under was set at 7. The Cubs, with a 64-72 run line record, cover the spread 47% of the time. They also have a 60-68 over/under record. The Cardinals are 71-66 against the run line and have a 54-74 over/under record. They cover the spread 52% of the time.

The Cubs come into this game with a 79-57 record, and they are 36-29 away from home. Jon Lester has an earned run average of 3.59 and is 9-10 so far on the season while having a 1.21 WHIP. In his starts, the Cubs are 15-12 over his 168 innings pitched this season while giving up 162 hits during those innings. The Cubs are also 9-16 against the over/under in his starts. His teammates are averaging 3.7 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 3.57 and they've given up 394 hits on the season. The bullpen has struck out 416 and walked 157 batters this season while opposing teams hit .238 against them. Chicago has a team average of 8.2 hits allowed per game and are averaging 8.64 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.55, they are 6th in the league.

Chicago ranks 30th in the league in team batting average at .242 while hitting .247 on the road. Ranked at 14th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cubs sit at .319 and they hold a .398 team slugging percentage. With 139 hits, Anthony Rizzo leads the team while his team ranks 30th in hits per game with 8.15.

With a 87-50 overall record, St. Louis will come into this game 49-23 at home. Carlos Martinez is starting this game 13-7 for the season with an earned run average of 3.04 and a WHIP of 1.29. In his starts, the Cardinals are 19-6 and he has allowed 149 hits over 159.2 innings pitched this season. The Cardinals are also 9-12 against the over/under in his starts. His teammates score an average of 4.2 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 2.50 and they have given up 367 hits on the season. The Cardinals bullpen has struck out 376 batters and walked 149 this season while opposing teams have hit .237 against them. St. Louis has a team average of 8.31 hits per game and are averaging 8.04 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 2.77, they are 1st in the league.

They rank 11th in the league in team batting average with a .255 average while hitting .260 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. With 141 hits, Jhonny Peralta leads the team while his team ranks 11th in hits per game with 8.67.

The Cubs have committed 93 errors and have combined for 1,392 assists and 3,677 put outs leading to a .982 team fielding percentage. Over the course of this season, the Cardinals have accumulated 81 errors while having 1,372 assists and 3,743 put outs leading to a .984 fielding percentage.

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 60-68 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 64-72 against the run line so far this season

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Trends

The St. Louis Cardinals are 54-74 against the over/under so far this season

The St. Louis Cardinals are 71-66 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 "?" Tuesday 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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