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MLB Betting – Cincinnati vs. St. Louis Preview & Pick

Shea weighs in with his MLB Free Pick for Wednesday. It’s the Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals matching up at Busch Stadium. The A’s are currently 118-moneyline favorites…

Wednesday MLB Betting – Reds vs Cardinals Preview & Pick

The Cincinnati Reds must feel like they have nine lives.

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MLB Gambling Online – Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview & Pick
Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
Broadcast: FSOH, FSMW
Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals Betting Lines from BetOnline.com
Money Line: Cardinals -123
Over/Under: 8.5
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Cincinnati Reds (43-43 through July 4)
Bronson Arroyo (7-7, 5.49)

The 2010 National League Central division champs have stumbled to a .500 record are fourth place through 86 games but, because every NL Central team has hit bumps in the road, Cincy remains just three games behind first-place St. Louis.

The Reds really need an improved effort from Bronson Arroyo, who will face the Cards on Wednesday. Thanks to the run support from guys like Joey Votto, he’s still on pace for his sixth 14-win season in the last seven years and seventh straight 200-inning season. But all those innings haven’t been quality innings in 2011. Arroyo has given up a hilarious 24 homers in half a season. That would be a pretty high number in a full year. Opponents are batting .298 off him.

St. Louis Cardinals (46-40 through July 4)
Jake Westbrook (7-4, 4.92)

Albert Pujols is so much better than everyone that he’s even the best healer. Somehow, he started taking full swings just two weeks after breaking his wrist. Now, after three weeks on the shelf, it looks like he may return against the Reds this week. That news should have the Reds shaking a bit, as Pujols has three homers and 12 RBI with a .403 on-base percentage over 63 career at-bats against Arroyo. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

In fact, the Cardinals’ lineup is loaded with guys who hit Arroyo hard. Lance Berkman has five bombs and 15 RBI in 50 at-bats against him; youngster Colby Rasmus already has a pair of homers off him.

MLB Trends:

Under is 7-3 in CIN last 10 Wed. games.
Under is 9-2-1 in Arroyos last 12 Wed. starts.
STL are 6-2 in their last 8 overall.
Over is 7-3-1 in STL last 11 home games.
Over is 11-5-1 in STL last 17 on grass.
Under is 14-6-2 in Arroyos last 22 starts vs. STL.

MLB pick:

With or without Pujols, it appears St. Louis will put some runs on the board on Wednesday. Can the Reds match? I’m not so sure. Jake Westbrook is just an innings eater but he keeps the ball in the park. He’s held his opponents homerless in seven of his last 10 starts. That bodes well against a homer-dependent team like Cincinnati.

Westbrook has a 3.13 career ERA over six appearances against the Reds. He should get the run support he needs to win.

Reds vs Cardinals prediction: Cardinals 7, Reds 3

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By Shea Matthews

Shea Matthews the Senior Writer at CP. Lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national papers. Shea applies his knowledge to sports betting + handicapping daily, and shares winning picks with the world.