The St. Louis Cardinals<\/strong> host the Chicago Cubs<\/strong> on Monday night in the opening game of a four-game series at Busch Stadium in Missouri.<\/p>\n MLB Odds Click here to view…\u00a0MLB ATS Stats<\/a>\u00a0&\u00a0Expert MLB Betting Insight!<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n To no one\u2019s surprise the Cardinals find themselves atop the N.L. Central Division at this point in the season. The Cubs were the sexy pick coming into the season, but they still have a lot of work to do to change the culture of a franchise that\u2019s been dwelling in the division cellar for years.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=63744&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n The Cubs look to make a dent in the Cardinals\u2019 division lead in the opener of this series, sending out Travis Wood for the start. It\u2019s been a tale of two seasons for Wood, who has a 1.29 ERA at home and a 5.59 ERA on the road.<\/p>\n Luckily for him his last outing came at home, and he put together a solid outing in a 6-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Wood allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings work, striking out nine without walking a batter.<\/p>\n Games against the Cardinals weren\u2019t particularly great for Wood a year ago. He posted a 5.20 against them, but even that was aided by eight unearned runs. His ERA was 5.06 at Busch Stadium, but again, that number doesn\u2019t tell the whole story, as he allowed three unearned runs in two starts.<\/p>\n The Cardinals counter with Carlos Martinez, who has been tremendous since moving into the team\u2019s starting rotation. Martinez has a 1.73 ERA and has recorded the victory in three consecutive starts.<\/p>\n FREE Cubs vs. Cardinals Pick:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Cardinals have a decent edge on the mound, and while they come at a bit of a steep price here, they do get the game at home. Additionally, but pitchers should hold their own and get this one to the bullpens short of the posted total.<\/p>\n MLB Betting Trends:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Cardinals are 9-2 in their last 11 games against left-handed starters and 5-0 in their last five games against teams with a winning record.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=63745&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n The Cardinals are 9-3 in their last 12 games played on a Monday, and 5-1 in Martinez\u2019s last six home starts.<\/p>\n The under is 7-2-1 in the Cubs\u2019 last 10 games played on a Monday, and it is 5-2-1 in Wood\u2019s last eight starts on a Monday.<\/p>\n The under is 4-1 in Wood\u2019s last five starts in the opening game of a series, and 9-4-1 in his last 14 road starts against teams with a winning record.<\/p>\n The under is 9-2 in the Cardinals\u2019 last 11 home games against teams with a winning record, and it is 4-0 in the Cardinals\u2019 last four games when playing the opener of a series.<\/p>\n The under is 4-0 in the last four meetings between these teams.<\/p>\n
\nChicago Cubs<\/a> (13-10) at St. Louis Cardinals<\/a> (18-6)
\nDate: Monday, May 4, 2015
\nTime: 8:10 p.m. ET
\nVenue: Busch Stadium
\nCity: St. Louis, Missouri
\nO\/U Odds: 7
\nMoney Line: St. Louis -153, Chicago +141
\nPitching Matchup: LH Travis Wood (2-1, 3.04 ERA) at RH Carlos Martinez (3-0, 1.73 ERA)<\/strong>
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