ODDS ANALYSIS
Say it isn’t so. The organization every team hates but wants to be like (can you say New England Patriots) is facing its own scandal.
Call it Astrogate or some other catchy media friendly tag, but whatever it ends up being called, and however it turns out, the Cardinals squeaky clean image took a hit as they undergo a federal investigation.
Doesn’t seem to affect the on-field product, however, as the Cards keep winning, remaining the most profitable team in baseball up 19.85 units on the moneyline. The Cards enter the set at Minnesota just 17-14 on the road, but a 26-7 home record puts them 22 games over .500.
The Twins took a tumble once the calendar changed. After winning 20 games in May, the Twinkies won just four of their first 15 games in June after dropping the first two in St. Louis. Not expected to compete in the competitive AL Central it looks like the stroke of midnight hit for the Twins. Minnesota looks to improve on its 1-5 home record this month that had them in the red 4.37 units. The Twins are still strong at home at 20-12 up 9.87 units on the moneyline overall at Target Field. Minnesota has been held to two runs or fewer eight times in their last 10 games and the under is 8-2 in that span.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Jaime Garcia (2-3, 2.06 ERA) blanked the Royals for eight innings Friday to earn the victory. He fanned six without walking a batter and hasn’t issued a free pass in his previous four starts while allowing just three runs in his last 22 frames. It’s anyone’s guess how long he’ll stay healthy but he has the lowest ERA of any current starter in the rotation.
Though he’s pitched in the Majors for parts of seven seasons, Garcia has only faced one Twins hitter – striking out Kurt Suzuki.
Mike Pelfrey (5-3, 3.18 ERA) is coming off his worst start of the year, as he gave up eight runs on 11 hits over just 3.2 innings against the Rangers on Saturday. He entered that game with a sparkling 2.28 ERA giving up a combined three runs over 28 innings in his previous four starts.
Pelfrey is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four career appearances against the Cards, giving up 24 hits in 21 innings. He picked up a save against them in his lone relief outing.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“We have opportunities for distractions every day. It’s part of what we do, it’s a big part of what we do. We divide them into the controllables and the uncontrollables and this is one of the uncontrollables. We don’t have any clue what’s going on.” – Cardinals’ manager Mike Matheny commenting on the federal investigation involving the Cards’ possible hacking of Houston’s computer system.
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
While the organization will have to endure an off-the-field controversy, the St. Louis Cardinals continue to be the best between the lines. The cards are part of a federal investigation looking into whether some of their employees hacked into the Houston Astros’ computer systems. The network reportedly included databases, contract information, scouting evaluations and discussions of trades. The team put out a statement saying they are aware of the investigation and are cooperating with authorities. A few hours after the news broke the Cards beat the Twins 3-2 in Tuesday’s finale of a two-game series at Busch Stadium.
PROP TALK
Move over Buster Posey, the best catcher in the NL is heating up. Yadier Molina is relied on for more offense with Matt Holliday and Matt Adams on the disabled list, and he’s responded. Molina doubled and scored a run Tuesday night after whacking his first home run of the season as part of his third three-hit game of the season in Monday’s win. Now in his 12th season, Molina continues to play at a high level at the plate and behind it and he’s a big reason why the Cards have the best record in baseball.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Hacking into the Houston Astros database of information isn’t going to help the Cardinals prepare for a game against the Twins. But finding out the organization has to resort to cheating is like learning the Tooth Fairy isn’t real. It’s a real kick in the sack. Sure there’s probably a reasonable explanation, but when the feds knock on your door something’s up. The whole ordeal didn’t affect the club when the news first broke, but it will be interesting to see how this plays out. The Twins throw their best in Mike Pelfrey at the Cards and he comes through for the win – because St. Louis can’t win them all.
Minnesota 4, St. Louis 3
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the St. Louis Cardinals versus the Minnesota Twins will commence Thursday, June 18, 2015, at 1:10 p.m. ET at Target Field. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
