in MLB Free Picks

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The Cardinals have gone just 5-5 in their 10 games, but emphatically beat the Houston Astros 5-1 on Sunday as Troy Glaus and Albert Pujols each went deep.

"It was a good feeling," said Glaus of his first homer of the season. "But more importantly we had a good win today and took the series."

Glaus, who replaced former third baseman Scott Rolen, ripped a two-run jack that capped a four-run fifth inning while Pujols went yard with a solo shot in the fifth for his first homer since April 18.

Glaus however could sit out today’s contest with a case of the pink eye.

The San Francisco Giants.

The Reds got two home runs and three RBI from fleet-footed second baseman Brandon Phillips while getting a solid performance from young starter Edinson Volquez who struck out a career-high 10 batters in seven innings

"We haven't really jumped anybody like that in a long time early in the game," manager Dusty Baker said of his team’s six-run pasting of struggling Giants starter Barry Zito who fell to 0-6 with the loss.

Veteran starter Bronson Arroyo (0-3, 7.56 ERA) will take the mound looking to bounce back from a horrific start in his last outing, getting knocked around for eight runs on 10 hits in just 2 2/3 innings as the Reds lost 9-3 to the Houston Astros on Wednesday.

"I feel great," said Arroyo, who has failed to last six innings so far this season. "I've watched the video, but there's nothing to see."

The Cardinals are hoping for another solid start from Todd Wellemeyer (2-0, 3.77) though he is also coming off a rocky performance in his last start, allowing four runs on seven hits in six innings but failing to get a decision as the Cardinals were spanked by the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-4 on Wednesday.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my MLB Betting Free Picks:

The Reds are 2-6 in Arroyo’s last 8 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.

The Reds are 5-16 in Arroyo’s last 21 starts vs. National League Central.

The Cardinals are 5-0 in Wellemeyer’s last 5 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.

The Cardinals are 4-1 in Wellemeyer’s last 5 home starts.

The Under is 4-1 in Arroyo’s last 5 road starts.

The Over is 4-0 in Wellemeyer’s last 4 starts following a team loss in their previous game.

The Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.

The Under is 6-1-1 in Arroyo’s last 8 starts vs. Cardinals.

Analysis: While the Red have been the better team all season and Wellemeyer the better starter over counterpart Bronson Arroyo, something tells me to take the red-hot Reds as they are swinging the bats really well right now and the Cardinals have failed to score more than three runs in each of their last three games. Take the Reds for the surprise victory MLB baseball bettors.

MLB Free Picks: Reds 5 Cardinals 4

08:15 PM EST MLB Gambling Odds

Bronson Arroyo - R +1½ -165

Todd Wellemeyer - R -1½ +145

Over 9 EV

Under 9 -120

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