Practice Pick 8: SDP (-165) vs. STL ML

The smart money is on the Cardinals tonight.  The line on the Padres opened at (-175) and is currently sitting at (-165).  No money likes those odds and is taking San Diego to win.

Michael King (3-2) starts for the Padres.  King is their ace.  He's the guy they rely on most to get them a win.  He hasn't pitched great in his last two starts but his numbers on the season are fairly solid.  He has posted a 2.79 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in 29.0 innings over his last five.  He is tough on righties and that potentially mitigates slugger Jordan Walker, who has been the Cardinals best hitter.  Cardinals as a group are well-balanced but take Walker's slugging out of the lineup and they don't have that much power in their game.

Matthew Liberatore (1-1) starts for the Cardinals.  Liberatore hasn't been as good over his last five posting a 5.76 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP.  Those numbers are ripe.  He doesn't strike out a lot of hitters, relying heavily on his off-speed pitches.  He is known for a big curveball but it hasn't played well under the lights.  He has significant splits in both road games and in night games.  Both aspects are working against him tonight.  

Padres have some good hitters from the right-hand side of the plate and their lefties will have an opportunity to pull the ball tonight.  As a team, the Padres aren't hitting the ball all that well but they should gets some hits tonight.  Liberatore has given up 2.0 HR/9 this season.  A pair of dingers could win this game with King on the mound.

San Diego's bullpen isn't as deep as it was last year.  It isn't as dominant but they have two of the best in the eighth and the ninth with both Jason Adam and Mason Miller well rested and available to pitch.  Cardinals traveled yesterday, east to west, and lost a pair of hours.  It's always a wobbly trip out to the coast for those who reside east of the Mississippi River.  

The algorithms might be taking the Cardinals but I'm banking on King having a good start and the Padres bullpen locking it down.  

------------------Sunday, April 19--------------------

Today's Pick: SDP (-165) vs. STL ML

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Practice pick number 7 or 8, I lost count.  Pickstreak did get a win a last night and it felt good.  Let's see if we can make it two in a row.

Stay tuned.

*It's Practice Pick 8, I forgot to number one of the picks earlier in the preseason.  

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