The Nationals have shown early flash, some coming from new off-season acquisition Adam Dunn, but their results in 2009 have been sadly...what you would expect from the Nationals. Without stellar pitching outings, this is not a team likely to go out and compete for a winning record. And their 5-15 mark to date shows it.
And beltway mainstay Daniel Cabrera, twirling tonight, has been far from stellar this year. In fact, his FIP of 5.27 borders on atrocious. Why so high? If you have followed Cabrera much of his career, you would likely guess: walks...and you would be right. In 18.1 innings to date, he has put on 12 men via the free pass; sprinkle in 22 hits and his 1.85 WHIP stands out like a bad Christmas sweater at a mandatory family get together - unfortunately, Nats fans are the unfortunate family members that have to endure it, and at the ballpark, they cutoff liquor sales. What makes this a particularly bad matchup tonight for Cabrera is that he is facing a St. Louis team that is very patient, tied for 8th most walks in the majors, and likely to take advantage of Cabrera's wildness. Oh yeah...against right-handed pitchers this year, St. Louis has been hit happy and have posted a .895 OPS (2nd in MLB) thus far this year to prove it.
Meanwhile, the Cards will place young Mitchell Boggs on the hill. With limited MLB experience, he has started 2009 well with a tiny 2.42 FIP, allowing just 1 ER in 7.2 innings against the Cubs. Not a high strikeout pitcher, Boggs has a history of keeping the ball on the ground with a GB% that has hovered around 50% in the minors & majors both. Backing him up is a bullpen that has been solid, and is anchored by the near unhittable Ryan Franklin. Meanwhile, unlike the Cards, the Nats have been below average against righties and have put up a measly .736 OPS against them.
The only thing worth knowing from an injury standpoint for this game is that the Cardinals are likely going to be without Ryan Ludwick for the 2nd straight game; but as a RH bat, it is not such a huge loss since they will likely dress an outfield full of good hitting lefties in Ankiel, Duncan and Rasmus.
At a price not overly expensive, time to jump on the Cards tonight.
Free Baseball Bets Pick: St. Louis -122
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