VS 
The defending World Series Chicago Cubs will get their title defense underway when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday night. The Cubs won a major league best 103 games during the regular season and ranked 3rd in runs scored at 4.99 per game. Skipper Joe Maddon’s returns most of his talented everyday lineup core with the exception of Dexter Fowler, who bolted for St. Louis in free agency. The Cubs feature the powerful middle of the lineup combination of 3B Kris Bryant (39 HRs) and 1B Anthony Rizzo (32 HRs).
Thirty-three year old southpaw Jon Lester (19-5 2.44 ERA) will get the nod for the Cubs. Lester allowed just two runs in 20 plus innings versus St. Louis last season.
The St. Louis Cardinals took a step back in 2016 and will have to improve greatly to catch the Cubs for the NL Central Division title this year. The Cardinals won 86 games last season and missed the postseason for the first time in five years. The offense is not in question, as St. Louis ranked 5th in runs at 4.81 per game. OF Dexter Fowler (.393 OBP) comes over from the rival Cubs and will hit leadoff for the Cardinals.
St. Louis skipper Mike Matheny will hand the ball to right-hander Carlos Martinez (16-9 3.04 ERA) in this matchup. Martinez was tagged for 16 runs in 30 innings versus the Cubs last season.
Recent Betting Trends:
Cubs are 14-3 in Lesters last 17 starts during game 1 of a series.
Cardinals are 7-2 in Martinezs last 9 starts.
Under is 12-3 in Lesters last 15 starts overall.
Under is 6-0 in Martinezs last 6 starts overall.
Cardinals are 0-4 in Martinezs last 4 starts vs. Cubs.
Free Betting Pick: St. Louis Cardinals +110
St. Louis P Alex Reyes will miss the entire regular season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Last season, the Cubs ranked 3rd in OPS and 14th in batting average. St. Louis ranked 5th in OPS and 18th in batting average a season ago. Take St. Louis to start Chicago’s title defense off with a loss on opening night. Final Score Prediction, St. Louis Cardinals 4-3.
No hay comentarios.:
Publicar un comentario