Reds Continue Road Trip
The St. Louis Cardinals’ longest homestand of the season got off to a good start over the weekend.
They look to build on the momentum as they continue their nine-game stretch at Busch Stadium on Monday in the opener of a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds.
Oddsmakers from Sportsbook.com have made St. Louis -134 money line favorites (MLB Odds) for tonight’s game, the over/under has been set at 9 total runs (Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 58% of bets for this game have been placed on St. Louis -134 (View MLB Bet Percentages). Bet this game.
St. Louis (16-10) played well against the Reds (11-15) last year, going 9-6 overall and 7-2 at home. The Cardinals are 10-5 at home this season.
Monday’s contest is the fourth in the nine-game homestand for St. Louis, which took the final two games of a three-game series with the Houston Astros over the weekend. On Sunday, Troy Glaus and Albert Pujols each homered in a 5-1 victory.
"It was a good feeling," said Glaus about his first homer of the season. "But more importantly we had a good win today and took the series."
The two-run homer by Glaus capped a four-run fifth inning. The third baseman, who was acquired in an offseason trade with Toronto for Scott Rolen, saw his batting average drop from .275 to .258 over the weekend after going just 1-for-9 in the series with the Astros.
Glaus may be sidelined on Monday, according to the Cardinals’ official Web site, because of pink eye, which forced him to leave Friday’s game early. Manager Tony La Russa said the issue only seems to come up when it’s cold and damp, which is the forecast for Monday.
"We’ll just use the best methods we have and the best judgment we have and take the information and make a decision," La Russa said.
The Reds, meanwhile, are looking to win three straight for the first time this season. They won the final two games of a three-game series with the Giants over the weekend, scoring 10 runs in each of the final two games, including a 10-1 win on Sunday.
Brandon Phillips homered twice and drove in three runs while Edinson Volquez struck out a career-high 10 over seven innings. Cincinnati scored six runs in the first inning off Giants starter Barry Zito.
"We haven’t really jumped anybody like that in a long time early in the game," manager Dusty Baker said.
The Reds will send Bronson Arroyo (0-3, 7.56 ERA) to the mound, hoping he can bounce back from his worst start of the season. Arroyo lasted just 3 2-3 innings on Wednesday against the Astros, allowing eight runs and 10 hits in a 9-3 loss.
"I feel great," said Arroyo, who hasn’t made it through six innings yet. "I’ve watched the video, but there’s nothing to see."
Arroyo is 3-5 with a 4.21 ERA in 12 career starts against the Cardinals. The right-hander is just 1-4 with a 5.59 ERA in seven starts in St. Louis.
Todd Wellemeyer (2-0, 3.77) counters for the Cardinals. He allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings on Wednesday against the Pirates, but did not receive a decision in the 7-4 loss.
Wellemeyer has made 14 relief appearances and just one start against the Reds. As a starter, the right-hander allowed two runs and two hits in 3 2-3 innings in a 4-3 win on June 5.