Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals Odds & Picks: July 10th 2009

Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Free Pick: Chicago Cubs +1½ (Harden/Carpenter) – 2:20 pm ET
Friday, July 10th 2009 - Click here for odds
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The Cubs have underachieved this season and they are better than their .500 record indicates as they have battled numerous injuries, but were still the preseason favorite to win the National League pennant. Chicago is finally getting healthy and they actually stand just one game behind the Cardinals in the loss column entering today. The Cubs also provide value at a rare home underdog price and they have been a much stronger team at home this season with a 25-16 SU mark, compared to just 16-25 on the road. My pitcher performance ratings predict a solid bounce back effort from Chicago’s Rich Harden who is coming off his worst start of the season last Saturday when he allowed 7 runs in just two innings versus Milwaukee. Harden had pitched well in his prior two starts with a 2.19 ERA and 1.459 WHIP and he has a strong 77/32 strikeout/walk ratio in his 13 starts this season. Meanwhile, the Cardinals’ ace Chris Carpenter qualifies in a negative 42% road favorite letdown situation after his easy 10-1 win last Sunday.

Play CUBS (+1.5 run line).