Pirates-Cardinals Lines Preview

\ If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Thursday when the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals meet at Busch Stadium. The Pirates will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Ross Ohlendorf in this game. Ohlendorf has a 3-2 record and a 3.48 ERA this season. The Cardinals will counter Ohlendorf with Todd Wellemeyer. Righthander Wellemeyer has a 5.28 ERA to go along with a 2-2 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 200-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Albert Pujols went 4-for-4 at the plate in helping the Cardinals defeat the Pirates 4-2 last time out as -160 favorites. That game's six runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9). Pujols belted a solo home run in the win for the Cardinals. Kyle McClellan got the win in relief, and Ryan Franklin closed out the game with his eighth save. Nyjer Morgan had two hits and drove in one run for the Pirates, who were +140 underdogs. Zach Duke gave up four runs over 5 1-3 innings. Current streak: Pittsburgh has lost 4 straight games. Team records: Pittsburgh: 12-15 SU St. Louis: 18-10 SU Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing NY Mets are 1-9 After playing St. Louis are 4-6 After a loss are 4-6 St. Louis most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing Cincinnati are 7-3 After playing Pittsburgh are 6-4 After a win are 6-4 A few trends to consider: Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against St. Louis Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road Pittsburgh is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games St. Louis is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games at home St. Louis is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games St. Louis is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh Next up: Pittsburgh at NY Mets, Friday, May 8 St. Louis at Cincinnati, Friday, May 8