MLB:Cincinnati Reds vs. St Louis Cardinals -by Jack Jones

Jack’s Free Pick Monday: St. Louis Cardinals -145

After losing a series in Cincinnati earlier this month, the Cardinals are primed to get payback starting with Game 1 Monday. St. Louis sits 1 game behind Cincinnati in the NL Central and will be looking to pull back to even with the Reds tonight. They give the ball to Jamie Garcia, who has been their best starter all year even with Wainwright and Carpenter going strong. Garcia is 4-2 with a 1.14 ERA and 1.139 WHIP this season. He has been virtually un-hittable at home, allowing no earned runs in 19 innings for a 0.00 ERA and 0.895 WHIP in 3 home outings.

Reds’ starter Bronson Arroyo has posted a 4.73 ERA on the road this season. The Reds are 6-15 in Arroyo’s last 21 starts vs. a team with a winning record, including 2-6 in his last 8 road starts vs. winning teams. The Reds are 3-10 in their last 13 road games vs. a left-handed starter. Cincinnati is 1-5 in their last 6 games as a road underdog of +110 to +150 as well. For whatever reason, the Cardinals tend to get off to a great start each week. St. Louis is 12-0 in their last 12 Monday games. The Cardinals are also 36-15 in their last 51 during game 1 of a series. The Cards are 37-15 in their last 52 home meetings with Cincinnati, and 5-1 in their last home games vs. Bronson Arroyo. They’ll get the win today in a very motivated effort against Cincinnati. Take the Cardinals.