St. Louis Cardinals vs Miami Marlins. The. St. Louis Cardinals travel to Miami, to open their season as defending World Series champions. The Miami Marlins open their season in a new city and new stadium. Both teams this year have high expectations, and a whole new look to their teams, while one was adding hot new players, the other was losing their hot players and a coach to retirment.
Miami starts Josh Johnson in the opener, who looked strong this spring, but he alo hasnt started a game in almost a year, which was May 16th. He stated he shoulder feels great after his surgery, and look for him to get some great numbers against a depeleted Cardinals offense.
St. Louis throws out Kyle Lohse, who had his best season last year. Lohse is looking sharp this yea,r and has also been phenominal in all his starts this spring, and seems to have added even more movement to his wicked curveball.
While both pitchers look sharp, both offense have also looked mediocre, with some signs of greatness. The Marlins added more speed and a hot bat with Reyes and also added more depth to their pitching. While the Cardinals didnt dont much of anything great, except to change the batting order, and add a new coach. With the loss of Puljos to the American League in the off season, Holliday moves into his #3 spot, and Lance Berkman/David Frease will take the 4th and 5th spot depending on if it is a left or right handed pitcher. The Cardinals still have a solid offense, but will miss the 3-time MVP Puljos.
the Marlins can run, have speed and can score by playing "small ball", while they lack the power to hit home runs, the Marlins can hit steal to get runners into scoring position early, and adding Reyes will make their hit and run offense even more potent. Hanley Ramirez also looks good after a dismal season last year, and seems to work well with Reyes in shoring up that infeld defense.
PREDICTION:
The new Miami ballpark seems to be very pitcher friendly, as the ball seems to hang in the air and has trouble getting over the outfield wall for the longball. The oddsmakers have realized this, and know that the Marlins play better small ball, while the Cardinals are built for power. When you add in the fact that 2 of the best top 10 pitchers in the National League (in my optinion) are taking the hill on this opening day, look for a low scoring affair, with the game coming down to the final out. The Cardinals prove they still have what it takes to win, and can do it without Albert, while the Marlins still struggle in opening day games.
St. Louis Cardinals 3, Miami Marlins 2
Miami starts Josh Johnson in the opener, who looked strong this spring, but he alo hasnt started a game in almost a year, which was May 16th. He stated he shoulder feels great after his surgery, and look for him to get some great numbers against a depeleted Cardinals offense.
St. Louis throws out Kyle Lohse, who had his best season last year. Lohse is looking sharp this yea,r and has also been phenominal in all his starts this spring, and seems to have added even more movement to his wicked curveball.
While both pitchers look sharp, both offense have also looked mediocre, with some signs of greatness. The Marlins added more speed and a hot bat with Reyes and also added more depth to their pitching. While the Cardinals didnt dont much of anything great, except to change the batting order, and add a new coach. With the loss of Puljos to the American League in the off season, Holliday moves into his #3 spot, and Lance Berkman/David Frease will take the 4th and 5th spot depending on if it is a left or right handed pitcher. The Cardinals still have a solid offense, but will miss the 3-time MVP Puljos.
the Marlins can run, have speed and can score by playing "small ball", while they lack the power to hit home runs, the Marlins can hit steal to get runners into scoring position early, and adding Reyes will make their hit and run offense even more potent. Hanley Ramirez also looks good after a dismal season last year, and seems to work well with Reyes in shoring up that infeld defense.
PREDICTION:
The new Miami ballpark seems to be very pitcher friendly, as the ball seems to hang in the air and has trouble getting over the outfield wall for the longball. The oddsmakers have realized this, and know that the Marlins play better small ball, while the Cardinals are built for power. When you add in the fact that 2 of the best top 10 pitchers in the National League (in my optinion) are taking the hill on this opening day, look for a low scoring affair, with the game coming down to the final out. The Cardinals prove they still have what it takes to win, and can do it without Albert, while the Marlins still struggle in opening day games.
St. Louis Cardinals 3, Miami Marlins 2
Smart Play:
UNDER 7 (wager 2 units)
Worth the risk play:
St. Louis Cardinal +160 (wager 1 unit)
UNDER 7 (wager 2 units)
Worth the risk play:
St. Louis Cardinal +160 (wager 1 unit)
