Two crucial matchups in the MLB are in store for your viewing and betting pleasure this Tuesday night.
Starting things off will be the No.1 team in the majors, the St. Louis Cardinals (87-50), playing host to their fellow division rival Chicago Cubs (79-57), for the second encounter of their three-game set at Busch Stadium. Later on, an NL West showdown awaits as the San Francisco Giants (71-67) strive to keep their fading playoff hopes alive when they collide for Game 2 of their own three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks (66-72) at Chase Field.
Read on below for an in-depth look at these two huge games. And while you’re at it, click here to see our preview of the Dodgers vs. Angels clash.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals (8:15 PM ET)
Line: Chicago Cubs (+135) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (-150); total: 7.0 – view all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]The struggle has been quite real for Jason Hammel (7-6, 3.55 ERA) lately. Over his previous eight starts, he’s compiled a 2-2 record with a high 5.63 ERA to his name. That stretch includes his most recent outing opposite the Reds on Wednesday wherein he surrendered four earned runs on seven hits for the 7-4 defeat.
Unfortunately for the Cubs, Hammel’s slump will likely continue this evening as the 33-year-old right-hander is 1-3 with a 6.31 ERA, a 1.52 WHIP and .307 opponents’ batting average through six starts versus the Cards.
Speaking of the Cards, they’ll be handing the ball to their ace Michael Wacha (15-4, 2.69 ERA), who’ll be making his first start of September. Wacha has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his past six starts. Across seven career appearances (six starts) against the Cubs, he is 3-1 with a 3.62 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.
St. Louis is 5-2 in Wacha’s last seven turns. Chicago, meanwhile, is 4-4 in its previous eight contests with Hammel starting.
Click here for a comprehensive preview of this matchup.
Writer’s Prediction
The Cardinals (-150) win, 4-1.
San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (9:05 PM ET)
Line: San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks– view all MLB lines
Ryan Vogelsong’s (9-11, 4.58 ERA) rotation spot could be in jeopardy after such a horrible performance in his last turn. The 38-year-old veteran was roughed up for a career-high of 11 hits and eight runs (seven earned) in just three innings for the 11-3 blowout loss at Colorado Thursday night. It’s hard to expect a revival from Vogelsong, as he is 2-5 with an ERA of 6.84 since the beginning of August. He has also been miserable on the road this year, having a 6-8 record with a 5.55 ERA in over 18 games (13 starts).
For the Diamondbacks, they’ll be expecting another solid pitching performance from Chase Anderson (6-5, 4.26 ERA), who’s been pretty efficient in his last three starts. During that stretch, he is 1-0 with a quality ERA of 2.55 to his name. Anderson makes his third career start against the Giants later, while owning a 2-3 record with a 4.24 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 11 home starts this season.
San Francisco is 4-6 in Vogelsong’s last 10 starts. The D-Backs, meanwhile, are 3-5 in their previous eight contests with Anderson starting.
Writer’s Prediction
The Giants escape with a 5-3 win.
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