Why the Cardinals on Monday at -135...this series is a tale of two teams in the second half of the season as the red birds return home to St. Louis for the Monday opener after winning six out of their last seven where they averaged 5.1 RPG to match a .271 BA/.317 OBP with 10 HRs. The Nationals, losers of their last four of seven, will look to bounce back from the ugly Sunday night walk-off loss to the Cubbies. The Nationals will stay on the road and turn to Tommy Milone who has posted a 5.50 era over his L18 IP, where he allowed 21 H on 4 HRs. This will be Milone's second road start of the season, and with his velocity numbers hovering where they are, we will fade Tommy against a right-handed heavy red birds lineup. On the season, Milone has allowed 19 H over 12 IP on 4 HRs to RHH. Miles Mikolas will toe the rubber for the Cardinals who looks to improve on his 12-3 record. At home, Mikolas posts a 2.01 era where he has allowed just 2 HRs over 71 IP to match a 5.22 K/BB rate. Miles' stuff has been playing up of late where he experienced a hike in velocity above season average with all three pitches in his last start. With that being said, this is a trustworthy spot to back Mikolas against a Nationals lineup with zero exposure. Let's fade the Nats bullpen in absolutely shambles right now, where they have posted a 5.56 era over their L14 Days, compared to the Cardinals bullpen era of 1.59 over that same span.
Play on the Cardinals at -135
Play on the Cardinals at -135
