MLB Monday Parlay – Phillies at Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals (17-8 SU, 15-10 RL, 13-10-2 O/U) will be looking to get back in the win column in the BetOnline Sportsbook when they host the Philadelphia Phillies (12-10 SU, 8-14 RL, 13-7-2 O/U) at Busch Stadium tonight at 8 PM ET.

The Phillies recorded a 6-5 win over the New York Mets on a bases loaded walk in the 10th inning at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, helping Philadelphia to cash in for BetOnline MLB betting backers as a -115 home favorite while the final score played Over the 10.5-run O/U total.

The Cardinals lost to the Washington Nationals 6-1 at Nationals Park on Saturday afternoon as Washington got a fine nine-inning effort from starter Shairon Martis. Washington won as a +107 home underdog while the final score played UNDER the 10-run total.

Tonight, the Phillies will pin their hopes on the pitching of right-hander Joe Blanton (0-2, 8.41 ERA) while the Cardinals counter with veteran right-hander Kyle Lohse (3-0, 1.97 ERA).

Blanton gave up six runs on eight hits including three home runs in Philadelphia’s 13-11 win over Washington last Monday.

Playing with Albert Pujols out of the lineup for the first time this season, the Cardinals suffered at the plate on Saturday.

Lohse enters this contest looking to start a season 4-0 for the first time in his nine-year career. Lohse allowed four hits and four walks with six strikeouts in six shutout innings of a 2-1 loss to Atlanta on Tuesday.

Here is a look at tonight’s key betting trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and MLB Free Pick.

• The Phillies are 7-0 in Blanton’s last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• The Phillies are 4-0 in Blanton’s last 4 starts during game 1 of a series.
• The Cardinals are 5-0 in Lohse’s last 5 home starts.
• The Cardinals are 4-0 in Lohse’s last 4 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• The Under is 5-1 in Blanton’s last 6 starts vs. National League Central.
• The Over is 5-0 in Lohse’s last 5 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
• The Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.
• The Phillies are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
• The Phillies are 12-5 in the last 17 meetings in St. Louis.

MLB Odds

• Philadelphia Phillies +1½ -170
• Joe Blanton –R +120
• St. Louis Cardinals -1½ +150
• Kyle Lohse –R -140
• Over 9 -105
• Under 9 -115

Analysis: I fully expect the St. Louis Cardinals to win this game and cover the Run Line against mediocre Phillies starter Joe Blanton, a pitcher that can give up hits and runs by the ton on occasions.

Kyle Lohse has been pitching phenomenally and I think he leads the Cardinals to a solid victory in this contest.

Also like the Under in this contest as it has played out in four of the last six meetings between these ballclubs.

MLB Free Picks: Cardinals -1½ Runs/Under 9 Total Runs