The best series in baseball early this week sees the Milwaukee Brewers travel to play the St. Louis Cardinals. The Brew Crew hold a 2-game lead for the #1 wild card spot over the Redbirds as the teams kick off this 3-game set. A St. Louis sweep would put them in the driver’s seat to host the “play-in” game. Then again, the Brewers getting a win in the September 24th NL free pick would have them on the fast track to having that game in Milwaukee.
Brewers Doing Some Pitching Finagling
Milwaukee is adjusting their pitching lineup for tonight’s game after Chase Anderson was a late scratch on Sunday night. Manager Craig Counsell is going to “explore his options” regarding who he sends to the mound against St. Louis in a game with huge wild card implications. Milwaukee will consider this a ‘bullpen game’ and luckily they’ve got one of the best in baseball.
#Brewers are skipping Chase Anderson’s start against the #STLCards on Monday. It will be a bullpen game. Unclear who will start, but it won’t be Josh Hader, manager Craig Counsell said.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) September 23, 2018
No matter who takes the mound in the September 24th NL free pick they’re probably going to get some run support. This is because the Milwaukee offense put up 21 runs in a 3-game set with Pittsburgh over the weekend – and they were shut out in one of those games. The Brewers have scored 7+ runs in 4 of their last 6 games. Christian Yelich continues his run for possible NL MVP by going 12 for his last 22 (.545) with 7 extra base hits. Travis Shaw is also hitting over .400 in his last 6 games. The Brewers have struggled against St. Louis starter Jack Flaherty however, posting just a .164 average in 61 AB. That makes tonight’s O/U of 8 a tough call.
Flaherty Looks for Bounce Back Game
Cardinals starter Jack Flaherty (8-8, 3.08 ERA) has been great this year but there are some questions heading into the September 24th NL free pick. This is because the right-hander was rocked for 5ER in just 4.2 IP last time out against the Braves. Flaherty had allowed an ER or less in 6 of his 8 starts prior. A matchup with Milwaukee could be good for the St. Louis starter as he’s held them to a 1.00 ERA in 18 IP which is the major reason why St. Louis is favored tonight.
The Cardinals offense is clicking at the right time of the year as Kolten Wong, Harrison Bader, and Tyler O’Neill are all hitting over .400 the past week. Jose Martinez is also batting at a .364 clip over his past 6 games so the Cardinals lineup looks really potent tonight against some questionable Milwaukee pitching. St. Louis scored 19 runs over the weekend in their 3-game series with San Francisco and plated 22 the series before against Atlanta.
September 24th NL Free Pick Betting
The Cardinals are a solid play tonight considering they are 6-1 in their last 7 and have won 4 straight home games. Then again, St. Louis has dropped 4 straight Flaherty starts. That being said, it’s going to be a playoff-like atmosphere at Busch Stadium tonight and the Cardinals have won 4 of the last 5 against the Brewers. Milwaukee’s pitching situation definitely doesn’t help them in this game.
NL Free Pick: St. Louis Cardinals -135
