The St. Louis Cardinals emerge from the All-Star break pretty much as healthy as they\u2019ve been since the start of 2011. <\/p>\n
MLB Gambling<\/a> Online \u2013 St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds<\/strong> St. Louis Cardinals (49-43)<\/strong> Adam Wainwright (Tommy John surgery) is still out for the season but Albert Pujols is back from his wrist injury and Lance Berkman\u2019s aches and pains should be rested.<\/p>\n One man who really hopes the Cards\u2019 bats are ready to go: Jake Westbrook. He\u2019ll face the Reds for the second straight start after they demolished him last week. Westbrook lasted just 4.1 innings, serving up three homers and allowing seven runs.<\/p>\n Cincinnati Reds (45-47)<\/strong> The Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central remind of the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central this season in that they have too much talent to play as badly as they did in the first half. It\u2019s put up or shut up time and Cincy has a golden opportunity at home against the team it\u2019s chasing in the standings.<\/p>\n Johnny Cueto should be amped up to help the Reds start the second half on the right foot. He has owned the Cards this season, allowing one earned run over 15.2 innings. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n For the Reds to make a run in the second half, they need Jay Bruce to get back on track. He exploded to hit .342 with 12 homers in May but hit just .217 in two homers in June. July is looking more promising, as Bruce entered the All-Star break with three homers in his last five games.<\/p>\n STL are 7-3 in their last 10 games on grass. Perhaps more impressive than Cueto\u2019s dominance over the Cardinals this season is his all-time track record against Albert Pujols. Cueto has held the superstar to four hits, no homers and one RBI over 23 encounters. If he even has Pujols in check, I think he can handle the Cards\u2019 lineup again.<\/p>\n Westbrook, meanwhile, is cruising for a bruising. I respect his ability to eat innings but he simply isn\u2019t all that good. <\/p>\n Travelling to a hitter\u2019s ballpark on Friday against a team that rocked him the last time out simply doesn\u2019t bode well for him.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Friday, July 15, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, OH
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>FSMW, FSOH
\nSt. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds Betting Lines from Bodog.eu<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Reds -157 <\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 8.5<\/strong>
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\nJake Westbrook (7-4, 5.34)<\/p>\n
\nJohnny Cueto (5-3, 1.96)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nSTL are 37-17 in their last 54 Fri. games.
\nOver is 5-2-1 in Westbrooks last 8 starts overall.
\nCIN are 3-8 in their last 11 games on grass.
\nUnder is 7-3 in CIN last 10 home games.
\nCIN are 3-7 in their last 10 home games.
\nOver is 8-3 in Cuetos last 11 starts vs. STL.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n