Mattingly’s Marlins target another W vs. Cards
It’s not often that a club blasts four homers and still finds a way to lose. That is, unless you’re the 2016 Cardinals.
The Redbirds cost themselves another crucial game last night, committing one official error and various other gaffes in the field in a 7-6 defeat to the Marlins. Don Mattingly’s troops twice rallied to beat St. Louis, which slipped to 19-27 at home.
Could the same Busch Stadium misfortune be in play today? Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv actually back the Cards as 1.5-run favorites. Miami, on the other hand, typifies a +148 underdog. The over/under run total sits at eight.
If the hosts plan to stop the bleeding anytime soon, they’ll need more bang-up performances from ace Adam Wainwright. The veteran righty has permitted just one run across his past 14 innings. He savors facing the Fish, too, going 4-2 with a 2.33 ERA in eight career clashes with them.
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For the Marlins, Tom Koehler aims to rebound from a rough outing on July 10. The Reds lashed the Stony Brook product for three runs on seven hits, knocking him out after four innings. Koehler’s 1-2 mark, not to mention a 7.86 ERA, in three lifetime appearances vs. the Cardinals also leaves a lot to be desired.
Perhaps against our better judgement, we’ll pick St. Louis to step up in a big spot. The infield defense simply seems to perform with greater purpose when the staff’s unquestioned leader takes the mound. Expect such a trend to continue in a few short hours.
SATURDAY MLB FREE PICK: CARDINALS -1.5