SPORTS N STUFF

Some sports betting players may want to take a chance on Houston, who have won six of their last 10 in St. Louis with half of the games falling under the posted total, but the Astros could be in fire-sale mode with the deadline approaching, which will hurt player focus. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are in a three-way tie for first in the National League Central and they should take advantage of this opportunity.

What: MLB Betting
When: Monday, July 25th-Thursday, July 28th
Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
Pick: St. Louis Cardinals -240

Monday, 8:15 PM ET J.A. Happ (4-11, 5.88) vs. Kyle McClellan (6-6, 4.34)

Happ has allowed five runs or more in six of his last seven starts, but he earned a win against Washington for his first victory since May 14th. He is 0-3 against the Cardinals this season, taking his career mark to 1-5 in seven starts with a 5.82 ERA, but strangely Happs best outing came in St. Louis, when he allowed three runs in six innings of work. The 28-year-old has lost both of his starts at Busch Stadium with a 12.86 ERA. McClellan is also slumping as he has 1-6 in his last 10 starts, and he has allowed four runs or more in half of those starts. Although he has made 19 appearances against the Astros, his lone two starts have come this year and McClellan has earned the win in both, although he was knocked for five runs in Houston once. The 27-year-old is 2-2 with two saves against the Astros, while posting a 3.62 ERA.

This could be a battle of the bullpens as neither starter has had their best stuff as of late, but the edge goes to McClellan to give his bullpen more of a cushion; Happ is 1-6 in eight road starts in 2011, while McClellan is 3-3 in nine home games.

Betting Edge: St. Louis Cardinals

Tuesday, 8:15 PM ET Brett Myers (3-10, 4.74) vs. Jake Westbrook (8-4, 5.04)

Myers is 0-4 in his last six starts, but only once during that time have the Astros scored more than three runs. He has faced the Cardinals just once this year, allowing five runs in six innings, but Myers is a solid 6-4 in 18 games (16 starts) against St. Louis in his career with a 4.64 ERA. He is also 3-2 in nine games (seven starts) in the new Busch Stadium, but an ERA of 5.20 is worrying. Westbrook doesnt have to worry about run support as he leads the National League in that category, and he earned his first win against the Astros earlier this season, taking his career mark to 1-2 in four starts with an ERA of 4.37.

The MLB free sports picks in this contest goes to Houston as Westbook is only 2-2 in nine starts at home with a 6.94 ERA, and Myers has been comfortable pitching in St. Louis from back in the days of the old Busch Stadium.

Betting Edge: Houston Astros

Wednesday, 8:15 PM ET Bud Norris (5-7, 3.70) vs. Chris Carpenter (6-7, 3.73)

Norris has been solid this season when you consider the team that is behind him, but hes been a little consistent as of late. He is 1-1 in three starts against the Cardinals in 2011, and for whatever reason, Norris seems to have their number as the 26-year-old is 6-2 in nine starts against St. Louis with a 2.45 ERA, along with a 4-1 mark in five starts at Busch Stadium with a 2.90 ERA. Carpenter is finally getting some run support after the offense left him out to dray plenty early in the season, and this will be his first start of the season against the Astros, against whom the 2005 Cy Young winner has a career record of 7-5 in 17 starts with a 2.81 ERA. The 36-year-old is also only 2-2 in 10 starts at home despite a 2.91 ERA.

Its tough to explain why Norris has been so good against the Cardinals, especially in St. Louis, but Carpenter has been hot, going 5-0 in his last six starts, so you have to go with the pitcher who is on a roll right now.

Betting Edge: St. Louis Cardinals

Thursday, 8:15 PM ET Wandy Rodriguez (6-7, 3.60) vs. Jaime Garcia (10-4, 3.01)