Holliday’s return could lift Cards past Brewers
Throughout the course of a 38-48 first half, the Brewers have endured numerous disappointments. Count Junior Guerra, however, among the most pleasant of surprises.
The 31-year-old righty aims to continue his remarkable run in today’s series finale vs. the Cardinals, with a 2:10 p.m. ET first pitch at Miller Park. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv endorse the host squad as a 1.5-run favorite. St. Louis enters as a -105 underdog, while the contest’s over/under run total holds at 8.5.
Guerra previously spent four years toiling outside of affiliated baseball. Now, he’s arguably skipper Craig Counsell’s pre-eminent option in the rotation. The Venezuelan native has gone 6-1 in 12 starts, not surrendering a single run in 15 1/3 innings over his past assignments.
Interestingly, that one defeat came at the hands of the Redbirds. On May 30, Mike Matheny’s club reached Guerra for four runs across 6 1/3 frames. If something similar happens this afternoon, the Cardinals will improve to 13-0-1 in their last 14 series with the Brew Crew.
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Of course, Mike Leake must be markedly sharper on the hill. In his most recent turn, the veteran hurler barely worked into the sixth against Pittsburgh. He does boast a winning record in the Badger State, though, and should receive further support from a certain slugger shortly. Left fielder Matt Holliday is slated to return to the St. Louis lineup after missing the middle game due to ankle tightness.
SUNDAY MLB FREE PICK: CARDINALS +1.5
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