Craig Davis
Friday's Lineup
25 DIME ---- CARDINALS (with Boggs) -1 1/2 RUN LINE over ASTROS (with Moehler)
Today is one of those strange days in Major League Baseball because the trade deadline is here. It's the day teams jockey for certain players in an attempt to either make themselves stronger for a playoff run or prepare for the future by acquiring prospects. The Cardinals have already made a big splash when they acquired OF Matt Holliday last weekend while the Astros (at the time of this writing) have yet to make a big move. To be honest, I don't think it's really going to matter because St. Louis simply doesn't lose to Houston at home. They've won the last five meetings with the Astros at home and seven of the last eight, winning with better starting pitching and better offense.
Tonight's starter, Mitchell Boggs, is a virtual unknown outside of the fantasy baseball world, but his work hasn't gone unnoticed. Boggs has four starts for the Cardinals this year, and although he's only 1-0 the team has won all four of his starts. He was sent back down to Triple-A Memphis back in May when the rotation became full again, but with Todd Wellemeyer on the disabled list, Boggs was called back up to make a crucial division start. Boggs is 3-0 in his last three starts at Class AAA Memphis. In 21 innings, he's allowed one run on 15 hits, with eight walks and 19 strikeouts.
Houston counters with Brian Moehler and his 5.26 ERA. Moehler's last start was at home vs. the Mets in which he lasted 4.1 innings, allowing eight hits and five earned runs in an 8-3 loss. Though he's won two of his last three starts, his 7-6 record just reiterates how average he really is. Average pitchers don't beat St. Louis at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals realize the importance of beating division rivals at home, especially when they're chasing the Chicago Cubs for the division lead. This one could get ugly... Cardinals in a rout.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED BY MARFA,IRONHORSE AND ME-----------------GL GUYS