Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Wrigley Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Michael Wacha (10-3) vs. Jason Hammel (5-4)

The St. Louis Cardinals head to Wrigley Field on Wednesday to take on the Chicago Cubs. The Cardinals send Michael Wacha to the mound to face Jason Hammel of the Cubs. The opening line for this matchup has St. Louis at -110 and Chicago at +100. The over/under was set at 7. The Cardinals, with a 45-38 run line record, cover the spread 54% of the time. They also have a 30-50 over/under record. The Cubs have a 32-44 over/under record and a 37-45 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 45% of the time.

The Cardinals head into this matchup with a 54-29 record, including 23-18 on the road. Starting pitcher Michael Wacha holds a 10-3 record with an earned run average of 2.66 and a WHIP of 1.09. In his starts, the Cardinals are 12-4 over his 101.1 innings pitched this season while giving up 87 hits during those innings. Against the over/under, the Cardinals are 7-8 in his starts. The team is averaging 4.9 runs when he starts. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 2.14 and they've given up 207 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .233 against the Cardinals bullpen while walking 76 times and striking out 215 times. St. Louis is averaging 8.05 strikeouts per game while getting 8.08 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 1st in baseball in team earned run average at 2.56.

St. Louis is batting .259 as a team, which is good for 8th in the league and hitting .253 away from home. Ranked at 7th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cardinals sit at .324 and they hold a .392 team slugging percentage. Jhonny Peralta leads the team in hits with 90 while the team ranks 10th in baseball with 8.76 hits per game.

With a 23-17 home record, Chicago will hope to improve on their 45-37 overall mark. With an earned run average of 2.89, Jason Hammel will come into this game holding a 5-4 record and a 0.95 WHIP. In his starts, the Cubs are 7-9 and he has allowed 80 hits over 102.2 innings pitched this season. Against the over/under, the Cubs are 5-11 when he starts. The team is averaging 3.6 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 3.00 and they have given up 207 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .221 against the Cubs bullpen while walking 99 times and striking out 240 times. Chicago is averaging 8.65 strikeouts per game while getting 7.94 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 4th in the league in team earned run average at 3.32.

They are batting .239 as a team, which is good for 27th in the league and hitting .229 at home. Ranked at 16th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cubs sit at .315 and they hold a .378 team slugging percentage. Anthony Rizzo leads the team in hits with 85 while the team ranks 27th in baseball with 8.15 hits a game.

The Cardinals have committed 47 errors and have combined for 805 assists and 2,228 put outs leading to a .985 team fielding percentage. The Cubs have committed 59 errors on the season with 821 assists and 2,201 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .981 on the year.

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Trends

The St. Louis Cardinals are 30-50 against the over/under so far this season

The St. Louis Cardinals are 45-38 against the run line so far this season

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 32-44 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 37-45 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

St. Louis Cardinals

07/07/15 2B Kolten Wong Head "?" Game 2 Tuesday vs. Chicago Cubs
07/06/15 P Jaime Garcia Groin Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/1)
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 15 day disabled list (6/26)
06/09/15 LF Matt Holliday Quad Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (06/10)
05/27/15 1B Matt Adams Quad Injury is on the 15 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 15 day disabled list (4/25); out for season

Chicago Cubs

07/06/15 C David Ross Concussion 7-day DL (7/2)
06/29/15 P Tsuyoshi Wada Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/23)
04/17/15 3B Mike Olt Wrist Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/15)
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)

Tony's Pick: Take the Cardinals

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