Houston Astros vs. St. Louis Cardinals Odds & Pick: August 3rd 2010

Houston Astros vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Pick: St. Louis Cardinals -210 odds
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The Astros have been on a great run. It figures to come to an end today though. Norris is off a rare strong start. However, I use the word “rare,” as he’s still 3-7 with a 5.62 ERA and 1.575 WHIP on the season. Prior to that outing, he’d been 0-3 with a 6.13 ERA in his previous seven starts. His last road start was 7/17 at Pittsburgh. In that game, he allowed seven runs (4 earned) and gave up nine hits, while lasting only 4 2/3 innings.

Garcia checks in at 9-4 with a 2.33 ERA. That includes a 4-1 record with a spectacular 1.46 ERA in nine home starts.

Garcia will have the advantage of starting against the Astros for the first time. That’s not the case for Norris though, as the Cardinals are quite familiar with him. Indeed, this will be the fourth time that they’ve seen him already this season. To his credit, Norris actually has very strong career stats vs. the Cards. However, the St. Louis hitters finally figured him out the last time that they faced him. In that 7/9 outing, Norris gave up five runs, en route to suffering a 8-1 loss.

Even with yesterday’s loss, the Cards are still an exceptional 37-17 at home on the season. Consider laying the wood.