Reds threatening Cardinals’ playoff prospects
The Cardinals have laid some absolutely clunkers at Busch Stadium this season. Nothing, however, compares to the embarrassment that unfolded yesterday.
In its worst loss of 2016, St. Louis fell to Cincinnati 15-2. The two teams meet again this evening, with an 8:15 p.m. ET first pitch in the Gateway City. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv still back the host squad. The Reds, on the other hand, embody +185 underdogs.
Bryan Price’s crew smacked 22 hits in the season opener – and prevented the Redbirds from gaining any ground in the National League wild-card race. They now trail the Mets by 1 ½ games for the top position in that regard. San Francisco currently holds onto the second spot.
Cue Adam Wainwright (12-9, 4.57 ERA) to heed the distress signal. The veteran righty has two more starts remaining in a highly erratic campaign. Most recently, he worked five-plus innings of four-run ball vs. the Rockies.
One night after Tim Adleman absolutely handcuffed the opposition, Price hopes for more of the same from Robert Stephenson (2-2, 5.59). Unfortunately for the Queen City faithful, the 2_-year-old phenom’s having a hard time adjusting to the majors. The Cubs tagged him for eight hits and four runs across 3 2/3 innings nearly a week ago.
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Tonight essentially represents a must-win situation for the Cardinals. Expect the ever-crafty Wainwright to grind his way to a triumph. Along the way, though, we’ll see a fair share of offensive fireworks from both clubs.
TUESDAY MLB FREE PICK: CARDINALS -1.5