Astros-Cardinals Lines Preview

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Friday when the Houston Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals meet at Busch Stadium. Brian Moehler will be the starting pitcher for the Astros on this day. Righthander Moehler is 7-6 this season with a 5.16 ERA. It'll be Mitchell Boggs toeing the rubber for the Cardinals in this contest. Righthander Boggs is 1-0 with a 3.10 ERA so far this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 170-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Astros were pounded 12-3 by the Cubs last time out, as +170 underdogs. That game's 15 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (10). Kazuo Matsui belted a two-run homer for the Astros. Russ Ortiz gave up nine runs over 2 1-3 innings to suffer the loss. The Cardinals were defeated 5-3 by the Dodgers in 10 innings last time out, as a -110 pick'em. That game's eight runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9). Matt Holliday homered and drove in a pair of runs for the Cardinals. Dennys Reys allowed two runs in relief in a losing effort. Current streak: Houston has lost 2 straight games. Team records: Houston: 51-51 SU St. Louis: 56-49 SU Houston most recently: When playing on Friday are 6-4 Before playing St. Louis are 5-5 After playing Chi Cubs are 5-5 After a loss are 5-5 St. Louis most recently: When playing on Friday are 6-4 Before playing Houston are 6-4 After playing LA Dodgers are 5-5 After a loss are 6-4 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games when playing St. Louis Houston is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing St. Louis Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road St. Louis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing at home against Houston St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games when playing Houston Next up: St. Louis home to Houston, Saturday, August 1