MLB - Atlanta Braves v St. Louis Cardinals

Today Chris Carpenter comes back to the lineup after almost one year and an half since his last game. The team of the Cardinals even with some injuries is doing a great season and the return of Carpenter will make the team even better. He will throw a max of 90 pitches and it will be necessary for the bullpen to complete his job. Fortunately for the Cardinals, yesterday's game was quiet and the bullpen didn't have to make a big effort.

Atlanta will send the rookie Jan Jurrgens (10-5, 3.02 ERA) who has been doing a great season and at home his numbers are also great: 5-2 and 3.28 ERA. However he hasn't been consistent as of late, alternating wins with losses, showing that after all he is a rookie. If we look to the runs he has allowed lately, we saw exactly his lack of consistence: 0-5-1-4-0-3-0-5.

I like the Cardinals in here. I understand it's a risk to back Carpenter on his return, but this team of Braves are lacking motivation. Chipper Jones is injured and the team has just sent to the Angels, the Slugger Mark Teixeira and the team doesn't seem to be motivated right now. General manager Frank Wren said his team was in no position to contend for the playoffs after learning that ace pitcher Tim Hudson could be done for the season, the latest in a devastating series of injuries that sent the team tumbling out of the race.

"It's tough to come to grips with," Jones said. "I certainly felt coming out of spring training that we would be right in the middle of things all year."

The bullpen of Atlanta had to make a big effort on the last two games and the Cardinals is now back on track. So, I'll take the dog in here. Take St Louis.

MLB PREVIEW:

NY METS (58 - 49) at FLORIDA (56 - 51)

Wednesday, 7/30/2008 7:10 PM MIKE PELFREY (R) vs. JOSH JOHNSON (R)

The Mets defeated Florida yesterday by 4-1, putting the series tied at 1-1. This win came in a good time, as Philadelphia has also won, so the Mets didn't lose any terrain in the fight for the division lead. Today they will send Mike Pelfrey (9-6, 3.67 ERA), who has been dominating in the last games, showing a great level. Pelfrey on the road hasn't been as good as in home games, however he has a positive record: 5.68 ERA and 7-2. But lately Pelfrey has been on-fire. This month he has just allowed 1-5-0-0-1 runs in his matches and 7-6-6-3-6 in terms of hits. Actually the team has won the last 9 matches Pelfrey has started for them!

On the other side, the Marlins will send Josh Johnson (0-0, 3.71 ERA), who is looking for his first win this season! Johnson in the 3 starts he has already done hasn't been able to get a win, but his team won all three matches. And it was against the Cubs, the Phillies and the Dodgers, in games where they were dogs by +155, +145 and +130! An impressive record! Besides that Johnson has faced the Mets before at home and in 12 IP, he has just allowed a single run. The Mets may have a slight edge over this match, as Pelfrey is on-fire lately, however I respect what Johnson has been doing and I wouldn't take a -120 favorite, when the dog has a good chance to win today.



Pick : ML St. Louis
Odds : 2.13
Stake : 6 / 10
Bookmaker : Pinnacle
Match Result : 2-7
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