3* St. Louis Cardinals -130:
Much like I said yesterday, St. Louis is not going to get shut down by ANYONE right now, nevermind Chad Billingsley.  He is 1-1 this season, but sports a 7.71 ERA and a 1.714 WHIP in 3 starts.  In 6 career starts against the Cards, Billingsley is 1-3 with a 6.16 ERA and a WHIP of 1.728!  Last year, his one start against St. Louis was a 4 inning, 7 earned run loss, and I see a similar outing today.  If Kershaw couldn't shut the RedBirds down, than I don't see Mr. Billingsley having much luck today. 

The Cardinals have now won 4 in a row and 6 of 7, with their last loss coming in Chris Carpenter's last start.  It was his one poor start of the three he has had this year.  He lasted just 4 innings and allowed 8 earned at Arizona. Previous to that he had thrown 13 innings and allowed just 3 earned in his first two starts of the year.  Look for him to bounce back effectively today, as he has always had success against the Dodgers.  He is 6-1 in 9 career starts with a 2.21 ERA and a WHIP of 1.082.  In two starts against LA in 2010 he threw 15 innings and allowed just 1 earned run on 10 hits and a walk while striking out 11.  I see the Cardinals staying hot today while the Dodgers continue their skid and lose their sixth straight.


2* Cubs / Rockies Over 9.5:
Well it looks like the Cubs' bats woke up lastnight, and I see them carrying that offensive momentum into today's game.  They face rookie Alan Johnson, who is making his Major League debut this afternoon.  Although he had a great outing in his only start in the minors this year, his Triple A numbers from 2009 and 2010 are far from dominating.  He has an ERA in the high 5's and has allowed far more hits than innings pitched. 

The Rockies only scored 3 runs lastnight, but they wasted many opportunities after having lead off doubles in back to back innings and not scoring in those frames. Men on third with 1 out, and not getting them in.  I do not see them squandering many opportunities this afternoon, and they should have plenty against Ryan Dempster.  Despite a winning 5-4 winning record in 10 starts against Colorado in his career, he has a 7.71 ERA and a WHIP of 1.753.  The over is 8-2 in these starts.  The Rockies are 9-4-1 to the over and the Cubs are 9-5 to the over this season.  I see a slugfest at Coors this afternoon.  Grab the lofty over now, as it may rise.