Will Cardinals bash through Braves again?
The Cardinals successfully avoided their first 0-4 start since 1997. Now, they just need some of that bench pop to carry over to the regulars.
Fresh off last night’s 7-4 victory over the Braves, St. Louis is online sports book BetDSI’s 1.5-run favorite this evening. The over/under total has jumped to seven runs following a series opener that featured three homers.
All of those bombs were supplied by Mike Matheny’s pinch-hitting cast. While Matt Carpenter, Randal Grichuk and other Cardinals stars have slumped out of the gate, the nondescript trio of Aledmys Diaz, Jeremy Hazelbaker and Greg Garcia owned Turner Field on Friday. The visitors finally touched up longtime nemesis Matt Wisler and then battered an ultra-vulnerable Atlanta bullpen.
Still in search of their first victory, the Braves will turn to ace Julio Teheran at 7:10 p.m. ET. He gave up two runs in six innings earlier in the week in a 4-3 defeat to Washington. Teheran also possesses a 1-1 record with a 1.89 ERA in three starts vs. the Redbirds.
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As for St. Louis, it can’t wait to unleash No. 5 starter Carlos Martinez. The fiery righty has tossed 10 2/3 scoreless frames against Atlanta, including eight in a 1-0 triumph last July 25. Odds are that he won’t have to face one of Fredi Gonzalez’s most dangerous weapons, either, as center fielder Ender Inciarte left yesterday’s contest with tightness in his left hamstring. Roll with the Cards here.
SATURDAY MLB FREE PICK: CARDINALS -1.5
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