The Giants played a stretch where they lost just twice in 17 games, moving them comfortably to the top of the NL West standings. San Francisco matched that number of defeats in the first three games of a set in Atlanta. They could be ripe entering the last leg of a 10-game road trip.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
For the past several seasons the Cardinals have been backed by excellent pitching that allowed them to win many close games. The 2-1 and 3-2 games were commonplace in the Birds’ results page. We’ve seen a much different St. Louis team this year, one that relies on offense to win games and, yikes, the home run ball.
The staff ERA is more than a full run higher than last season but the Cards are making up for it with an offense that ranks third in runs per game, home runs and OPS. That all translates into the Cardinals being the best play on the over in MLB. The over is 10-4 in the past 14 St. Louis games and 33-19 on the year.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Jeff Samardzija (7-3, 2.84 ERA) had been averaging 7.1 innings per outing over his last five starts, but turned in his shortest stint of the year Monday in a loss to the Braves. He was charged with five runs – four earned – on six hits over five innings and was pulled after 93 pitches. In 11 starts this season, Samardzija has failed to pitch at least six innings just twice.
Despite the disappointing performance against the anemic Braves offense, there is little reason to be concerned. Samardzija’s extensive experience in the NL Central lengthens his track record against St. Louis. He’s 4-2 with a 3.86 ERA in nine appearances – five starts – at Busch Stadium.
Michael Wacha (2-6, 4.99 ERA) had an encouraging outing last time out even though he took the loss in a 10-2 defeat at Washington. He surrendered three runs on four hits and struck out six, turning in his first quality start in nearly a month. It was by no means a magnificent performance, but at least it was a step forward from his previous work. He broke a string of three straight four-inning starts where he gave up 16 earned runs.
Wacha has lost his last six decisions and the Cards have won just once in his past seven starts. That could change Saturday. Wacha has yielded just one earned run over 19.0 career innings against the Giants and sports a 1-0 record with a 0.74 ERA in three starts.
LIVE BETTING
The Cardinals flailed all day at an assortment of soft and softer stuff from Brewers starter Zach Davies on Wednesday, never threatening to score. But once pinch-hitter Brandon Moss stepped to the plate in the ninth inning to face closer Jeremy Jeffress, things changed. Moss homered to spoil the shutout, though the Cards still lost the game 3-1. But Moss’ homer was the team’s 10th pinch-hit home run of the season, tying a franchise record – for an entire season – in the 54th game.
Through Wednesday there were 11 major league teams that have yet to hit their first pinch-hit home run this season while the Cards are doing record-breaking things off the bench. Through 54 games last season, they had hit 40 home runs as a team, just four times more than their pinch hitters alone have managed in 2016. The Cards felt they had good depth. They probably didn’t expect this kind of production, however.
QUICK PICK
The Giants’ offense suffered a loss when outfielder Hunter Pence left Wednesday’s game in Atlanta after re-aggravating a hamstring injury that forced him to miss several games earlier in the year. We’re not sure if he’ll be able to play over the weekend, which will improve the chances for Wacha and the Redbirds if he doesn’t. Pence leads the Giants in homers and RBIs while hitting close to .300. The Giants haven’t been overly productive at the dish and if Pence misses some time, the offense will suffer.
That opens the door for St. Louis to improve on its sub .500 home record. Always a tough out at Busch Stadium, the Cards enter the MLB series two games under the break-even point. Over the past two weeks, the Cards have done surprisingly well against the likes of Jake Arrieta, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, all power pitchers. Samardzija falls in that category.
MLB Odds: St. Louis 5, San Francisco 2
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals is scheduled for Saturday, June 4, 2016, at 7:15 p.m. ET at Busch Stadium. The matchup will be televised regionally on FOX.
