Thursday MLB Free Pick
(ATS Consultants) – This is the first game of a four-game series. The Phillies are coming off a 4-1 home win over Washington, while the Cardinals are coming off sweeping San Diego at home. Joe Blanton takes the mound for the Phillies while Jake Westbrook is the starter for the Cards. The opening pitch starts at 8:15pmET from St. Louis.
ODDS: The oddsmakers have installed the Cards as a -145 favorite over the Phillies. The total is 8 in most books. The Phillies come in with a 22-23 overall record and are 25-19 OVER, while the Cards are 25-19 overall and 24-19 OVER.
LINE MOVEMENT: The Cards opened as a -155 favorite and moved down to -145 at most books. The total started at 8 and remained there in most books.
View Latest 2012 World Series Odds
PUBLIC BETTING: Of the wagers currently placed on tonight’s game, 58% of public bettors favor the Cardinals. These numbers are subject to change, however, so make sure you click on the “Public Betting” link available in this paragraph to get the most up-to-date information.
MLB FREE PICK: According to the latest MLB trends, the Cards are 10-1 Over last 11 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150, 7-1 Over last 8 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game, 6-1 Over last 7 home games vs. a right-handed starter, 17-5 Over is 17-5 last 22 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5, 19-7 Over last 26 Thursday games and 5-0 Over in Westbrook’s last 5 home starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5. Phillies are 5-0 Over last 5 road games, 7-2 Over last 9 vs. a team with a winning record and 6-2 Over last 8 games as a road underdog. The Phillies’ bats struggled against a very good Washington staff. Blanton struggled in his last start, going just 4 1/3 innings against Boston in a 7-5 loss. Last year, the Phils pounded Westbrook, 9-2 in their last meeting.
THURSDAY MLB FREE PICK: PHILLIES/CARDINALS OVER 8
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