MLB Monday Preview: Cardinals at Nationals, Reds at Mets
April 29th, 2019
St. Louis Cardinals (17-10) at Washington Nationals (12-14), 7:05 p.m. ET
Michael Wacha (1-0, 4.64 ERA) (STL) +120 / +1.5 runs (-175) / Over 8.5 runs (-105) Patrick Corbin (2-0, 2.48 ERA) (WSH) -130 / -1.5 runs (+145) / Under 8.5 runs (-115)The Nationals should get the early jump on the Cardinals as they begin a four-game series at Nationals Park on Monday night.
Wacha makes his first start for St. Louis since hitting the injured list with knee tendinitis. He's pitched unevenly in his first four efforts, posting a 5.90 FIP. Outfielders Adam Eaton (13 hits in his last 10 games) and Juan Soto (reached base in 11 straight contests) should give Wacha headaches in this one.
Corbin has been highly impressive for Washington through five starts, pitching to a 0.918 WHIP. The Cardinals' lineup is fifth overall in runs per game (5.54), but they drop to 10th (5.27) when they hit the road.
A word of warning to those wishing to bet the Nationals to post the win. Washington's relievers are last in the league in ERA at 7.34. Bettors would be wise to back the Nationals to score first at a good price.
MLB Free Play: Nationals to score first (EVEN)
Cincinnati Reds (11-16) at New York Mets (14-13), 7:10 p.m. ET
Tanner Roark (1-1, 3.24 ERA) (CIN) +140 / +1.5 runs (-150) / Over eight runs (-110) Zack Wheeler (2-2, 4.85 ERA) (NYM) -155 / -1.5 runs (+125) / Under eight runs (-110)Runs should be scarce in Monday night's contest at Citi Field.
Roark takes the hill for Cincinnati, and his 3-4 record against New York dating back to 2016 (10 starts) belies how well he's performed in those games. Roark has a 3.09 ERA in his last 64 innings pitched against the Mets and an opponent batting average of .202. The hot-hitting Brandon Nimmo is 4-for-9 against the righty from Illinois, but Michael Conforto and Todd Frazier are a combined 6-for-34 (.176).
Wheeler will oppose for New York, and he had his good stuff when last seen, pitching seven scoreless frames against the Phillies on April 23. The Reds have struggled on offense all year long, ranking just 25th in runs per game at 3.81.
MLB Free Play: Under
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