Astros-Cardinals Odds Preview

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Saturday when the Houston Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals meet at Busch Stadium. Wandy Rodriguez will be the starting pitcher for the Astros on this day. Lefthander Rodriguez is 10-6 this season with a 2.65 ERA. Meanwhile, it'll be ace Chris Carpenter who starts for the Cardinals. Righthander Carpenter is 9-3 with a 2.19 ERA so far this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 230-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Cardinals scored a pair of runs in the eighth inning to come back and defeat the Astros 4-3 on Friday, as -185 favorites. That game's seven runs went UNDER the night's posted over/under (9). Matt Holliday went 4-for-4 at the plate and drove in two runs for the Cardinals. Trever Miller earned the win in relief, and Ryan Franklin closed out the ninth with his 24th save. Miguel Tejada drove in two runs to lead the Astros, who were +165 underdogs. Alberto Arias gave up two runs in relief in suffering the loss. Current streak: Houston has lost 3 straight games. Team records: Houston: 51-52 SU St. Louis: 57-49 SU Houston most recently: When playing on Saturday are 4-6 Before playing St. Louis are 5-5 After playing St. Louis are 7-3 After a loss are 5-5 St. Louis most recently: When playing on Saturday are 5-5 Before playing Houston are 5-5 After playing Houston are 5-5 After a win are 5-5 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing on the road against St. Louis The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing St. Louis The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 8 games Houston is 1-6 SU in its last 7 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 9 of St. Louis's last 10 games at home St. Louis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing at home against Houston Next up: St. Louis home to Houston, Sunday, August 2