The NCAA football odds and NFL odds are dominating the water cooler chatter, since football is the king of sports right (until they have a lockout next year and ruin their own popularity), but for now, the only major active sport is baseball.
The playoff races are about to heat up, particularly in the National League Central where the St. Louis Cardinals loose grip on the division is slipping away even more. The Houston Astros, who made a surprising playoff push last year in the second half of the season, are starting to do the same right now.
The Astros were 38-42 on July 4th but have won 10 of their last 14 games since then. They?ll try to further cut into the Cardinals lead, which is now just two games.
St. Louis Cardinals @ Houston Astros
The Houston Astros will put their ace, Roy Oswalt on the mound on Wednesday night and lately, he?s given them a great chance to win. The Astros have won his last four starts and it?s been hard for them not to, given how well he?s pitched.
In his last five starts, Oswalt has given up just seven earned runs in his last 38 innings pitched, which puts his ERA at a sparkling 1.66 ERA. In that same span, Oswalt has a WHIP of 0.96 and he?s struckout 33 batters while walking just six.
Oswalt will take on Chris Carpenter of the Cardinals, who is a former Cy Young Award winner.
Carpenter has been on fire himself of late after a tough stretch at the end of June. Carpenter lost three of his last four decisions at the end of June but has won three straight to start July.
Over his last three outings, Carpenter has given up just four earned runs in 21 innings pitched. He?s also struckout 18 batters while walking just four.
On top of that, the Cardinals have provided plenty of run support for him in July, scoring 24 runs for him in three games.
Baseball wagering fans should note that Carpenter has pitched a little better at home than on the road. His road ERA is 2.50 but at home it?s at 1.85.
Look for the Astros to stay hot with their ace on the mound as they bring the Astros within one win on Wednesday.
--BetOnline.com
The playoff races are about to heat up, particularly in the National League Central where the St. Louis Cardinals loose grip on the division is slipping away even more. The Houston Astros, who made a surprising playoff push last year in the second half of the season, are starting to do the same right now.
The Astros were 38-42 on July 4th but have won 10 of their last 14 games since then. They?ll try to further cut into the Cardinals lead, which is now just two games.
St. Louis Cardinals @ Houston Astros
The Houston Astros will put their ace, Roy Oswalt on the mound on Wednesday night and lately, he?s given them a great chance to win. The Astros have won his last four starts and it?s been hard for them not to, given how well he?s pitched.
In his last five starts, Oswalt has given up just seven earned runs in his last 38 innings pitched, which puts his ERA at a sparkling 1.66 ERA. In that same span, Oswalt has a WHIP of 0.96 and he?s struckout 33 batters while walking just six.
Oswalt will take on Chris Carpenter of the Cardinals, who is a former Cy Young Award winner.
Carpenter has been on fire himself of late after a tough stretch at the end of June. Carpenter lost three of his last four decisions at the end of June but has won three straight to start July.
Over his last three outings, Carpenter has given up just four earned runs in 21 innings pitched. He?s also struckout 18 batters while walking just four.
On top of that, the Cardinals have provided plenty of run support for him in July, scoring 24 runs for him in three games.
Baseball wagering fans should note that Carpenter has pitched a little better at home than on the road. His road ERA is 2.50 but at home it?s at 1.85.
Look for the Astros to stay hot with their ace on the mound as they bring the Astros within one win on Wednesday.
--BetOnline.com
