St. Louis has been one of the most profitable teams in all of baseball over the last week-plus. Not only are they 7-3 over their last 10, they’ve been priced at -125 or less (or underdogs) in six of those victories. That’s the scenario again today in the August 26th NL free pick as oddsmakers have set the Rockies at -145 favorites. Colorado tied up the series yesterday with a monstrous 9-1 win, do they make it two in a row at home this afternoon?
Cardinals Turn To Another Young Gun on Sunday
St. Louis has ridden rookies like Daniel Poncedeleon and Jack Flaherty to wins over the past week and the lead in the NL wild card race. They turn to another youngster in the August 26th NL free pick as Austin Gomber (3-0, 2.98 ERA) takes the hill vs. Colorado. He’ll be making his 5th start since being reinserted into the starting rotation on August 4th and the Cards’ are 4-0 in those games so far. The lefty has allowed just 2ER in his last three starts, both of which came last time out against the Dodgers. That being said, the Rockies are 13-3 in their last 16 games vs. a LH starter.
Something has to give trend-wise today as the Cardinals are an impressive 10-1 in their last 11 games vs. a LH starter and Southpaw Tyler Anderson is getting the call for Colorado. St. Louis has hit .320 against Anderson in 25AB with Jedd Gyorko leading the way at 3-5 with a HR and a 2B. Gyorko should be in line for a big day as he’s hitting .412 with 3-doubles and a HR in his past 6 games. Marcell Ozuna’s shoulder injury hurts the offense though, especially since he was 5 for his last 12 with a HR. Matt Carpenter should pick up some slack today considering he’s 4-7 in his career vs. Anderson.
Rockies Hope to Build on a Strong Offensive Showing Yesterday
Colorado derailed the St.Louis steam train a bit yesterday with an impressive 9-1 blowout. Matt Holliday returned from the dead with a pinch hit home run and Carlos Gonzalez had 3 of the Rockies 13 hits. Gonzo is 7 for his last 19 (.368) and Nolan Arenado isn’t far behind him with a .350 average in his last 6 games. Chris Iannetta is the only Rockies batter with experience against Gomber, and he’s gone 1-4 in his career against the St. Louis left-hander.
Tyler Anderson (6-6, 4.45 ERA) gets the task of limiting the Cardinals offense much like German Marquez (3 hits, 9 K’s) did yesterday. The lefty pitches in Coors Field which always skews the ERA a bit, but he’s allowed 16 ER in his last two road starts (8.1 IP). Does that mean he’s a risk in the August 26th NL free pick – or that he just pitches better in the friendliness of Coors Field? Either way there’s going to be some runs scored today which is why oddsmakers have set the O/U at 11.5.
August 26th NL Free Pick Betting
The public is liking St. Louis today, but only slightly at 56%. Yesterdays offensive dreadfulness has bettors a bit leery as is the fact that the Redbirds are wrapping up a 6-game road trip today. Even so, St. Louis has won 9 of their last 10 away from Busch Stadium and have won 21 of their last 28 overall. If you can get a red hot team like that at +135 with a pitcher who is feeling it since going into the rotation – you take it.
NL Free Pick: St. Louis Cardinals +135
