MLB Predictions: Cardinals vs. Pirates Odds & Pick: September 21st 2010

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB Prediction: Pirates (RL)
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The Cardinals come into Pittsburgh after losing their makeup game in Florida against the Marlins last night. Their chances of winning the N.L. Central are pretty much gone as well. The last time the Cardinals came to Pittsburgh, they lost two of three games. Jake Westbrook makes the start for St. Louis. He’s 2-3 with a 3.26 in nine starts for the Cardinals. He took one of those losses in Pittsburgh back in August after giving up four runs and six hits in six innings of work. St. Louis has actually lost four of Westbrook’s last five road starts. Pittsburgh enters tonight’s game having won three straight games from Arizona after getting good hitting and timely pitching.

Paul Maholm has not been good this year. He’s 7-15 with a 5.36 ERA this season. He’s 5-9 with a 5.91 ERA at home as well. The reason to like Maholm in this game is his history against the Cardinals. He picked up a win back in August against the Cardinals after giving up two runs and seven hits in 6.2 innings of work. As a team, the Cardinals are hitting just .259 against Maholm with Felipe Lopez (7-33), Pedro Feliz (5-21), Yadier Molina (4-21), Brendan Ryan (3-21), Matt Holliday (2-16), Aaron Miles (1-7), Nick Stavinoha (1-5), Skip Schumaker (0-3), Colby Rasmus (0-3), and Jon Jay (0-3) all doing the worst. You’ve got to wonder about the Cardinals psyche right now since they’ve traveled a lot recently; they’ve lost 13 of their last 17 road games. The Pirates have the bullpen edge in this one as well so we’ll recommend taking them on the run line in this game tonight.