Monday, August 17, 2015

Busch Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Christopher Heston (11-7) vs. Michael Wacha (14-4)

The St. Louis Cardinals host the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium on Monday. The probable starters are Christopher Heston for the Giants and Michael Wacha for the Cardinals. The opening line for this matchup has San Francisco at +142 and St. Louis at -152. The over/under was set at 7. The Giants, with a 63-53 run line record, cover the spread 54% of the time. They also have a 57-51 over/under record. The Cardinals are 60-56 against the run line and have a 42-69 over/under record. They cover the spread 52% of the time.

The Giants head into this matchup with a 63-53 record, including 29-29 on the road. Starting pitcher Christopher Heston holds a 11-7 record with an earned run average of 3.38 and a WHIP of 1.19. He's pitched 141 innings thus far while surrendering 125 hits over that time and when he starts, the Giants are 14-9. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 12-10. He is getting 5.1 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 3.27 and they've given up 315 hits on the season. The bullpen has struck out 294 and walked 102 batters this season while opposing teams hit .234 against them. San Francisco has a team average of 8.52 hits allowed per game and are averaging 7.21 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.72, they are 11th in the league.

As a team, San Francisco is batting .271, good for 1st in the league while putting together a .273 average away from home. Ranked at 4th in the league in on-base percentage, the Giants sit at .328 and they hold a .414 team slugging percentage. With 130 hits, Buster Posey leads the team while his team ranks 2nd in hits per game with 9.37.

With a 44-17 home record, St. Louis will hope to improve on their 75-41 overall mark. With an earned run average of 2.93, Michael Wacha will come into this game holding a 14-4 record and a 1.12 WHIP. He's pitched 138.1 innings thus far while surrendering 120 hits over that time in which the Cardinals are 17-5. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 9-12. He is getting 5 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 2.25 and they have given up 298 hits on the season. The Cardinals bullpen has struck out 305 batters and walked 121 this season while opposing teams have hit .230 against them. St. Louis has a team average of 8.03 hits per game and are averaging 8 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 2.60, they are 1st in the league.

As a team, they are batting .255, good for 11th in the league while putting together a .264 average at home. Ranked at 10th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cardinals sit at .321 and they hold a .390 team slugging percentage. With 123 hits, Jhonny Peralta leads the team while his team ranks 11th in hits per game with 8.69.

The Giants have committed 58 errors and have combined for 1,212 assists and 3,104 put outs leading to a .987 team fielding percentage. Over the course of this season, the Cardinals have accumlated 64 errors while having 1160 assists and 3,184 put outs leading to a .985 fielding percentage.

San Francisco Giants Betting Trends

The San Francisco Giants are 57-51 against the over/under so far this season

The San Francisco Giants are 63-53 against the run line so far this season

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Trends

The St. Louis Cardinals are 42-69 against the over/under so far this season

The St. Louis Cardinals are 60-56 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

San Francisco Giants

08/14/15 LF Norichika Aoki Concussion 7-day DL (8/12)
08/11/15 CF Angel Pagan Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/11)
08/07/15 P Mike Leake Hamstring Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/3)
08/04/15 2B Joe Panik Back Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/2)
07/31/15 P Tim Hudson Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/31)
07/20/15 C Andrew Susac Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/19)
07/01/15 P Tim Lincecum Forearm Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/28)
06/18/15 2B Marco Scutaro Back Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/17); out for season

St. Louis Cardinals

07/30/15 LF Matt Holliday Quad Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/29)
07/03/15 CF Jon Jay Wrist Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/1)
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), out for regular season
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 Cardinals

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink