MLB Pitching Duel – Cardinals vs Phillies

It’s not often when Cole Hamels looks over matched, but when Adam Wainwright is on the hill and on his game, he’s tough to beat. Saying he’s on his game isn’t really a fair assessment though, because he’s been on his game for some time now. Heading into Tuesday night’s contest, he is riding a solid outing streak that is beyond impressive.

Just to give you an idea of how good he’s been since last year sometime, he has gone at least six innings and given up three runs or fewer in 23 of 24 starts. That puts him at a ho-hum 15-5 with a 1.98 ERA. Not to mention he’s pitching for the NL-leading Cardinals who are not going anywhere, especially considering their starting staff. They’ll be gunning for a fourth straight win, but in their way is the Philadelphia Phillies and a one very rich Ryan Howard.

MLB Betting Line:

St Louis Cardinals -1 ½ (+145) at Philadelphia Phillies +1 ½ (-105)

Tuesday, May 4 – 7:05 PM ET

Over/Under – 8 1/2

The Philadelphia first baseman just signed a five-year, $125 million extension, and that is a number that the Cardinals are going to have to think about when it comes to signing their superstar first baseman, Albert Pujols.

Howard will be looking to prove his worth on Tuesday against a guy he hasn’t hit all that hard in Wainwright, but has an on-base percentage of .571 thanks to six walks. Wainwright (4-1, 2.13 ERA) will never tell you he’s dodging Howard, but it appears he doesn’t like giving the big man the opportunity to hurt him.

Cole Hamels has had better luck pitching to Pujols as although he does have a homerun, he’s managed only two other hits against him in 13 at-bats. Do the math and that adds up to a very ordinary .231 average.

Still, that’s not enough for me to lay a bet against Wainwright. He’s just too good, and even though this one’s in Philly, the Cardinals are still the favorite (-115) because he’s on the mound. And when you’ve gone at least 6 innings in 23/24 starts, you’re giving your team a chance to win every single time you take the hill. I can’t argue with that, take the Cardinals against the moneyline.

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