MLB Picks: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals, NLDS Game 1

The St. Louis Cardinals outscored opponents by a 189-run margin during the regular season, which is important to consider when making your MLB picks this week. The Cardinals are set to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium in Game 1 of the 2013 NLDS on Thursday.

Sports bettors will find that the Cardinals are minus-155 home favorites in the pro baseball odds, with the betting total sitting at 6.5 in the market.

Let's take a closer look at Game 1 of this NLDS matchup from a betting perspective, while offering up a prediction along the way.

*Gambling stats courtesy of SBR Forum.

Pittsburgh Pirates

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The Pittsburgh Pirates won 10-of-19 regular-season games against the St. Louis Cardinals this season, but have dropped their last four contests at Busch Stadium.

MLB handicappers will find that the Pirates are 2-8 in A.J. Burnett's last 10 starts as an underdog of plus-110 to plus-150.

St. Louis Cardinals

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The St. Louis Cardinals ended the regular season on a six-game winning streak, which ultimately secured them a spot in the postseason for the fourth time in five years.

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright compiled a 4-1 record and 2.85 ERA in six starts last month.

Prediction

I'm going to recommend that readers back the St. Louis Cardinals, as they've gone 5-0 in Adam Wainwright's last five starts as a home favorite of minus-151 to minus-200.

MLB Pick: St. Louis Cardinals (-155)

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