That smell you're picking up from the South is the Houston Astros, and mainly coming from their offense. Side with Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals this afternoon at home in St. Louis.
Our Monday MLB selection is on the St. Louis Cardinals at home over the winless Houston Astros.
It looks like the Astros offense is going to rival that of the Nationals and Padres this season as the NL's worst, at least as long as Lance Berkman is on the shelf. The former All-Star first baseman may return from his knee injury in time for this game, but even if he does, he won't be near 100 percent.
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Without Berkman, the biggest bat in this lineup is probably outfielder Carlos Lee. But Lee, who turns 34 this season, appears to be on the downside of his career. With not much else surrounding him in the lineup, pitchers can just choose to pitch around him as Lee is no longer a threat to steal bases.
Southpaw Wandy Rodriguez will get his second start of the season and although Rodriguez pitched very well in his season debut last Tuesday (the 'Stros lost that game to the Giants), that start was at home. In case you're one of the few who hasn't heard, Wa-Rod has the biggest home-away pitching bias in baseball.
And despite a decent ERA at Busch Stadium, Rodriguez has only won one of five starts there.
Cardinals ace No. 1, Chris Carpenter, got the Opening Day start, so ace No. 2, Adam Wainwright, gets the honors in the home opener. It shouldn't matter as they're almost interchangeable. Take the Cards.
Free Pick: Cardinals -210