Houston Astros vs. St. Louis Cardinals Odds & Pick: April 12th 2010

Houston Astros vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Free MLB Pick: St. Louis Cardinals -211 odds
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At 4:15pm our complimentary selection is on the St. Louis Cardinals over the Houston Astros. It looks like the Astros offense is going to rival that of the Nationals and Padres this season as the NL’s worst, at least as long as Lance Berkman is on the shelf. The former All-Star first baseman may return from his knee injury in time for this game, but even if he does, he won’t be near 100 percent. Without Berkman, the biggest bat in this lineup is probably outfielder Carlos Lee, but Lee turns 34 years old this season and appears to be on the downside of his career, and with not much else around him in the lineup, pitchers can just choose to pitch around him as Lee is no longer a threat to steal bases. Southpaw Wandy Rodriguez will get his second start of the season and although Rodriguez pitched very well in his season debut last Tuesday (the ‘Stros lost that game to the Giants), that start was at home, and in case you’re one of the few who hasn’t heard, Wa-Rod has the biggest home-away pitching bias in baseball. And despite a decent ERA at Busch Stadium, Rodriguez has only won one of five starts there. Cardinal ace #1, Chris Carpenter, got the opening day start, so ace #2, Adam Wainwright, gets the honors in the home opener. It shouldn’t matter as they’re almost interchangeable. Take the Cards. As always, good luck…Al McMordie.