MLB Handicapping: Astros vs Cardinals

Courtesy of OddsShark.com: The Houston Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals will meet on the field at Busch Stadium on Thursday in a battle of division rivals. The Astros will give the ball to starter Bud Norris in this one. Righthander Norris is 1-4 this season with a 7.52 ERA. The Cardinals will counter Norris with ace Chris Carpenter. Righthander Carpenter has a 2.80 ERA to go along with a 4-0 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 280-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Jeff Keppinger drove in three runs in a five-run fourth inning on Wednesday, as the Astros defeated the Cardinals 9-6. The Astros won that game as +154 underdogs, while the 15 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8) set by sportsbooks. Wandy Rodriguez allowed five runs off five hits over six innings as he picked up his second win. Kyle Lohse gave up nine runs off 10 hits in five innings to suffer the loss for the Cardinals, who were -174 favorites. Current streak: Houston has won 3 straight games. St. Louis has lost 2 straight games. Team records: Houston: 12-21 SU St. Louis: 20-14 SU Houston most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing San Francisco are 5-5 After playing St. Louis are 4-6 After a win are 7-3 St. Louis most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing Cincinnati are 5-5 After playing Houston are 5-5 After a loss are 6-4 A few trends to consider: Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against St. Louis Houston is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against St. Louis Houston is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games on the road St. Louis is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home St. Louis is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Houston St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Houston Next up: Houston at San Francisco, Friday, May 14 St. Louis at Cincinnati, Friday, May 14 The founder of forensic sports handicapping, Stevie Vincent has been a professional gambler since 2002. His plays are now public and a must for totals bettors as mastering over/under is his specialty.