<p>
It’s the St. Louis Cardinals hosting the Chicago Cubs in the season opening game for each team. The first pitch at Busch Stadium is scheduled for 8:30 PM ET. The betting lines opened with the Cubs as a -120 favorite over the Cards with an O/U line of 7.5 runs.
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<p>
The Cubs are the defending World Series champions taking out the Indians in seven games in the Fall Classic. Last season the Cubs ranked 3rd in the Majors in runs scored and 1st in team ERA.
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<p>
The Cardinals finished 2nd to the Cubs in the NL Central last season going 86-76 and they did not make the playoffs for the first time since 2010. They ranked 4th in the Majors last season in runs scored and 12th in team ERA.
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<p>
Last season the Cubs were 10-9 against the Cardinals.
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<h2>
Pitching Match Up<br />
</h2>
<p>
Chicago: Jon Lester (0-0, 0.00 ERA)<br />
St. Louis: Carlos Martinez (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
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<p>
Jon Lester gets the Opening Day nod for the Cubs and last season he went 19-5 with an ERA of 2.44. Last season he ranked 2nd in the National League in both wins and ERA and also finished 2nd in the Cy Young voting. This is Lester’s 2nd straight Opening Day start for the Cubs and in his career facing St. Louis he is 3-3 with a 1.97 ERA. Last season facing them Lester was 2-0 in three starts where he only gave up two earned runs in 20 innings of work. The Cubs are 35-16 in Lester’s last 51 starts overall and 20-8 in his last 28 starts facing teams from the NL Central.
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<p>
Carlos Martinez gets the starting nod for the Cardinals and last season he was 16-9 with an ERA of 3.04. He ranked tied for 5th in the National League last season in wins and 9th in ERA. In nine career starts and 19 overall appearances against Chicago Martinez is 3-3 with an ERA of 4.67 The Cardinals are 7-2 in Martinez’s last 9 starts and 20-9 in his last 29 starts against teams from the NL Central. However, they have lost their last four games facing the Cubs with Martinez on the hill.
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<h2>
Betting Angles<br />
</h2>
<p>
The Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 games facing the Cardinals in St. Louis.
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<p>
In the last 6 games between these teams the total has gone Under 5 times.
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<p>
In Lester’s last 7 starts against the Cardinals the Under record is 6-0-1.
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<p>
In Martinez’s last 8 starts against the Cubs the Under record is 5-2-1.
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<p>
Last season the Cardinals were 38-43 at home and the Cubs were 46-34 on the road.
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<h2>
Straight Up / Over/Under / Run Line Records<br />
</h2>
<p>
Chicago Cubs: 0-0 SU / O/U 0-0 / Run Line W/L 0-0<br />
St. Louis Cardinals: 0-0 SU / O/U 0-0 / Run Line W/L 0-0
</p>
<h2>
Chicago at St. Louis Key Betting Trends<br />
</h2>
<ul>
<li>
CHI is 5-1 in their last 6 road games.
</li>
<li>
CHI is 46-15 in their last 62 games vs. a right-handed starter.
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<li>
CHI has an Over record of 12-4 in their last 16 road games.
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<li>
STL is 4-0 in their last 4 home games.
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<li>
STL is 3-11 in their last 14 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
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<li>
STL has an Under record of 4-1 in their last 5 games.
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</ul>
<h2>
Key Player Injuries<br />
</h2>
<p>
CUBS
</p>
<ul>
<li>
[P] 04/01/2017 - Brian Duensing 10-day DL ( Back )
</li>
</ul>
<p>
CARDINALS
</p>
<ul>
<li>
[P] 04/01/2017 - Trevor Rosentha 10-day DL (3/30) ( Leg )
</li>
<li>
[P] 03/31/2017 - Tyler Lyons 10-day DL (3/30) ( Knee )
</li>
<li>
[P] 02/20/2017 - Alex Reyes out for season ( Elbow )
</li>
<li>
[P] 03/31/2017 - Trevor Rosenthal 10-day DL (3/30) ( Leg )
</li>
</ul>