PREMIUM
Rogers' Sunday Night SHOWDOWN >> Cubs/Cardinals
(MLB) Chi Cubs vs. St. Louis,
Total: 8.50 | 103.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 8.50 | 103.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Sunday Night ESPN game features an interesting matchup on the mound, as the visitors send Kyle Hendricks to the hill, while the home side goes with John Gant.
The pitchers: Hendricks is so far 6-9 with a 4.05 ERA. He most recently gave up three runs off seven hits over five innings in a loss to Arizona on Tuesday. Over six of his last seven starts Hendricks has now failed to complete six innings. Note that he's an uninspiring 3-3 with a 4.70 ERA on the road as well.
Gant is so far 3-3 with a 3.44 ERA. He was most recently used in relief against the Reds on Wednesday, giving up two earned runs and two walks over one frame of work.
The pick: These teams have woken up at the plate as the weather has warmed up, as Chicago has seen the total go "over" in 14 of 23 in July so far, while St. Louis has seen the total go "over" in five of its last seven against the division. While these teams played to the "under" on Saturday afternoon, everything points to a higher-scoring "slug-fest" in this one. Play the "over."
The pitchers: Hendricks is so far 6-9 with a 4.05 ERA. He most recently gave up three runs off seven hits over five innings in a loss to Arizona on Tuesday. Over six of his last seven starts Hendricks has now failed to complete six innings. Note that he's an uninspiring 3-3 with a 4.70 ERA on the road as well.
Gant is so far 3-3 with a 3.44 ERA. He was most recently used in relief against the Reds on Wednesday, giving up two earned runs and two walks over one frame of work.
The pick: These teams have woken up at the plate as the weather has warmed up, as Chicago has seen the total go "over" in 14 of 23 in July so far, while St. Louis has seen the total go "over" in five of its last seven against the division. While these teams played to the "under" on Saturday afternoon, everything points to a higher-scoring "slug-fest" in this one. Play the "over."