TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION FRIDAY, JUNE 10TH
#958 ST. LOUIS with Pallante (-145) over Cincinnati with Castillo at 8:15 PM EST
Off three consecutive straight up losses and resting with a 5-5 mark through 10 games, the Redbirds will return home and beat up one of their division rivals. Cincinnati makes the trek to Busch Stadium off a pair of losses and the Big Red Machine will struggle in this NL Central war.
Rookie reliever turned starter Andre Pallante will get the nod for the home team. With 18 appearances in the books including one start, No. 53 has been nicked for only four earned runs and 29 hits in 29.1 innings of work. Pallante struck out 20 and walked 14 on his way to a 1-0 record with an outstanding 1.23 ERA. Andre’s efforts under the lights have been solid too. At night, Pallante has surrendered only one earned run and 12 hits in 18.2 frames. After the math, that adds up to an 0-0 tally with an elite 0.48 ERA.
Right-hander Luis Castillo will counter for the Reds. In his last start at home against Washington, No. 58 was roughed up for three earned runs and six hits in 6.1 innings. Castillo walked four, served up one home run, and was tagged with the loss in the Nats 5-4 victory. Luis’ last two outings in this series haven’t gone well either. With 13.0 frames completed, Castillo was pounded for seven earned runs and 13 hits. That shakes down to an 0-1 mark with a weak 4.85 ERA.
A number of reliable trends support this Best Bet. St. Louis has won 41 of its last 59 when favored, 27 of its last 38 against division foes, and 10 of its last 12 when competing on Friday. On the other side of the yard, Cincinnati has slipped in 23 of its last 31 as a road underdog, 24 of its last 34 coming off a loss, and 37 of its last 52 when fighting a foe that owns a team won/loss percentage of .501 or better.
The Cardinals are a half-game behind the Brewers in the division and they’ll use the strength of their home turf (16-11 at home this season) to find a way to hop into the top spot in the NL Central. Take St. Louis with Pallante. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
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