9th Oct - Cardinals vs Cubs

Two recent teammates, John Lackey and Jon Lester, will meet in game one of the National League series between NL Central rivals, the St Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs.

It has the look of a tough series between two teams that played each other very tough during the regular season and both will real World Series credentials.

Lackey has been a revelation in St Louis. He’s paid the league minimum salary, but he was arguably the rotation’s most reliable pitcher during the regular season, deservedly earning the start in game one. He went 13-10 with an ERA of 2.77 during the season.

Lester’s fortunes after signing a huge contract with the Cubs, were less good. He was the leader on that 2013 World Series winning rotation (which included Lackey), but he posted an 11-12 season, his first with the Cubs and appeared to have lost velocity and break on his best pitchers. He’s always been his best in the postseason, but can he be the same guy in the postseason?

Three Reasons for Betting Tips

1. Cardinals at near even odds

It’s impossible not to like the Cardinals whenever they are at near even odds. Don’t look at the line-up and worry about how they compare, this team performs and its got a good pitcher on the mound.

2. Lester’s struggles

We do doubt him. Yes he pitched better in September, but the Cubs model of success isn’t to score a lot of runs and he isn’t shutting teams out.

3. Pressure of playoff return

The emotion from that Wildcard game win will still be fresh and we think it might cause a little bit of a hangover tonight.