PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's Underdog Game of the Week
(MLB) San Francisco vs. St. Louis,
Money Line: 105.00 St. Louis (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: 105.00 St. Louis (Home)
Result: Loss
Johnny Cueto has a bad history at Busch Stadium. He also has a back/side physical issue. The Giants are down two-thirds of their starting outfield, including much underrated Hunter Pence. The Cardinals are 7-0 in Adam Wainwright's last seven starts.
Yet the Giants opened the favorite here. No, I'm not buying that.
Cueto always has trouble against St. Louis. The last time he won at Busch was in 2010. He's 0-3 with a 5.59 ERA in his last six starts there with a lifetime 5.71 ERA when pitching in St. Louis. All together, Cueto is 1-5 during his last 10 starts versus the Cardinals.
Cueto also has been dealing with back soreness. Dealing with this injury is magnified by the way Cueto throws, which is a full turn similar to former great Luis Tiant. St. Louis has the offense to take advantage if Cueto isn't sharp ranking No. 2 in runs, third in OPS and fifth in homers. The last time the Cardinals played at home they put up eight runs against the Cubs in a game started by Jake Arrieta.
Wainwright has been steadily getting better since the start of the season. He's posted quality outings in four of his last six starts and owns a 3.11 career ERA in 12 appearances versus San Francisco.
The Giants are down starting outfielders Angel Pagan and Pence. Both are sidelined with hamstring injuries. Last year, the Giants went 12-18 when Pence missed 30 games with a wrist injury.
Yet the Giants opened the favorite here. No, I'm not buying that.
Cueto always has trouble against St. Louis. The last time he won at Busch was in 2010. He's 0-3 with a 5.59 ERA in his last six starts there with a lifetime 5.71 ERA when pitching in St. Louis. All together, Cueto is 1-5 during his last 10 starts versus the Cardinals.
Cueto also has been dealing with back soreness. Dealing with this injury is magnified by the way Cueto throws, which is a full turn similar to former great Luis Tiant. St. Louis has the offense to take advantage if Cueto isn't sharp ranking No. 2 in runs, third in OPS and fifth in homers. The last time the Cardinals played at home they put up eight runs against the Cubs in a game started by Jake Arrieta.
Wainwright has been steadily getting better since the start of the season. He's posted quality outings in four of his last six starts and owns a 3.11 career ERA in 12 appearances versus San Francisco.
The Giants are down starting outfielders Angel Pagan and Pence. Both are sidelined with hamstring injuries. Last year, the Giants went 12-18 when Pence missed 30 games with a wrist injury.
