Boston at St. Louis Pro Baseball Betting Preview & Pick

It’s a potential World Series preview on Tuesday and a terrific interleague matchup as the Boston Red Sox visit the St. Louis Cardinals. Because this matchup is played in the National League park, the Red Sox will lose the designated hitter. The Red Sox had 3 game weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays, which did not end in their favor, losing the series 1-2. For the Cardinals, it was a great series against the Chicago Cubs, beating the series a 2-1. Boston is likely to be slight MLB betting underdogs as well.

Boston at St. Louis Pro Baseball Betting Preview & Pick

The #Xman stays hot in May, adding another hit, but #RedSox fall in series finale. https://t.co/Yge0t4OKCX pic.twitter.com/EPSjB6Fd4J

— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) May 15, 2017

When: Tuesday, May 16, 8:15 PM ET Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis Probable pitchers (away/home): Eduardo Rodriguez/Lance Lynn TV: MLB Network Stream: MLB.tv Radio: Boston / St. Louis Opening MLB Lines: Cards favored by TBA

Why Bet On Boston?

Boston beat the Cardinals in the 2013 World Series. Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts are the only two current Red Sox players who were on the roster in that World Series. The Red Sox enter having lost four of six following an 11-2 home loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday. Hanley Ramirez (trapezius) went 1-for- 4 with an infield single in his return to the starting lineup Sunday. Ramirez missed three straight games with a sore right trapezius muscle. The Red Sox will play their next two games under National League rules in St. Louis, so Ramirez is likely to head back to the bench as he’s the DH – although it’s possible he could play first base. Pitcher Drew Pomeranz departed Sunday’s start against the Rays with left triceps tightness. It’s the same injury he dealt with during spring training. Pomeranz didn’t even miss a start during Grapefruit League play due to the ailment. He was to have an MRI. “At this point I should be fine for my next start,” Pomeranz said. “We’ll see how the next few days unfold, but I don’t think it’s going to be too big of an issue that keeps me out of any games.” The injury to Pomeranz could further challenge Boston’s starting-rotation depth. The Red Sox recently lost starter Steven Wright for the season with a left knee injury that required surgery. David Price, who is on the disabled list with a left elbow strain, could be activated by May 24. It’s lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (1-1) on the mound. Rodriguez allowed one run on three hits while striking out five batters during Thursday’s win over Milwaukee. He did not factor into the decision. Following his tidy outing against the Brewers, Rodriguez sports a 2.80 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 10.7 K/9 with a 30.3 strikeout percentage. He has thrown a quality start in each of his past four outings.

Why Bet On St. Louis?

The last time these clubs met was in 2014, when the Cards took two out of three at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals enter this series having won eight of their last nine games to lead the NL Central. “I think you’ve seen collectively, the baserunning [and] defense [improve], our starting pitching is holding us down, the bullpen is starting to figure itself out and guys are getting big hits and bouncing the ball out of the ballpark,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “There’s nothing really not to like. Winning fixes everything. I think it’s them believing in themselves, and I think having a run like this to show them that Spring Training wasn’t just Spring Training, but this is the team we should be, so what are we going to do all season long to keep working and get better to make sure that’s the result that we see?” Closer Seung Hwan Oh had a 13-inning scoreless streak entering Sunday. That stretch comes after he opened the season with six earned runs allowed over his first five appearances. The Cardinals expect center fielder Dexter Fowler to return to the lineup on Tuesday. He sat on Sunday due to continued soreness in his right shoulder, stemming from a diving attempt on May 4. The biggest issue he’s having is throwing. It’s Lance Lynn (4-1, 2.75) on the mound. Lynn gave up four runs in four innings in an inefficient outing against the Marlins on Wednesday. He threw 104 pitches in four innings while surrendering five hits and four walks. He struck out four batters. All four runs scored in the first inning when he gave up a solo homer to Christian Yelich and a three-run shot to Justin Bour. Lynn had given up just two runs in his last four starts combined. He has 36 strikeouts and 16 walks in 39 1/3 innings. This will be Lynn’s second career start against the Red Sox, and first since 2014. He allowed one run over seven innings in that previous start.

Boston at St. Louis Pro Baseball Betting Pick: St. Louis Cardinals

Losing Ramirez’s bat will hurt Boston a bit so go Cards here.