Last night my premium selection was on the San Francisco Giants. Today we bring it down a notch - to a complimentary selection - and nail the visiting Cardinals with Chris Carpenter toeing the slab. We'll list both pitchers, siding against Barry Zito, and aim for a huge win here.
You can't tell Carpenter has missed most of the last two seasons, that's for sure. He's 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA. And in 23 innings that span four starts, Carpenter has given up a mere one unearned run while he is limiting hitters to a .127 batting average. That's not all, as the right-hander has recorded 23 strikeouts versus just four walks.
He comes in after dominating the Brewers, retiring the first 18 batters he faced and allowed two hits while fanning 10 and walking nobody over eight innings of a 1-0, 10-inning loss for the Redbirds.
The veteran hurler is 2-0 with a 3.03 ERA in four career starts versus San Francisco, albeit he hasn't faced this team since late in the 2006 season.
And while I told you the return of Ryan Ludwick was irrelevant last night, I think the St. Louis bats come together tonight against Zito, who is a dismal 1-5 this season, and continues to be a bust since arriving from Oakland. Making matters worse, he's 0-2 in three games against St. Louis. Last season, which was his most recent start against it, he allowed four runs - three unearned - and seven hits of an 8-2 setback.
All things point to a solid winner with the Cardinals and Carpenter!
Jordan (comp) 5-30-09
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