MLB Betting: Cardinals vs. Twins Odds & Predictions: June 28th 2009

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Minnesota Twins
Free Pick: St. Louis Cardinals (-126) - Sun Jun 28 ‘09 2:15p
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The Cardinals send Joel Piniero to the mound today and if he can receive just a little run support, than this game should cash easily.

I backed Pineiro in his last start on Tuesday night and was justly rewarded when he twirled a career best, complete game two-hitter as St. Louis blanked New York 3-0. He’s 1-2 but has a 1.61 ERA over his last three starts. His WHIP over that stretch is 0.76.

Francisco Liriano the one-time phenom has never recovered from arm problems that plagued him after his breakout season of 2006. He pitched briefly in ‘07 but missed all of last season and has been a mere shadow of his former pitching self.

Liriano is 3-8 this season with an ERA of 5.88. He’s 2-1 over his past three starts despite an ERA of 5.00 and a WHIP of 1.57. Granted the Cards are hitting just .200 vs. lefties over the past ten games but the addition of Mark De Rosa should help. The veteran IF was aquired by the Cards on Saturday night and his 13 homeruns and 50 rbi?s will be plugged in immediately.

I’m riding with Piniero for the second time this week and hope that anyone not named Pujols will help Prince Albert at the plate. Piniero has gotten three runs or fewer to work with in each of his last 11 starts and that probably wont get it done with a powerful offensive team like the Twins.