Today, I am going with an early game—it starts at 3:05pm EST. The St. Louis Cardinals are at the Philadelphia Phillies. This is the final game in the three game series and the Cardinals have won the first two—barely. Today, the Cardinals are sending Jason Marquis to the mound and the Phillies are countering with Cory Lidle. The game is pretty much an even call either way. The Cardinals are a slight favorite at -101 to -110 depending on where you bet it. The Phillies are anywhere from +100 to -105.

The Phillies are not a bad team and they have been giving it to the Cardinals. I just don’t see them being swept at home. Scott Rolen (3B) is expected to be back in the line up for the Phillies and he will give them some extra pop. Cory Lidle’s ERA was not that great at home last year, but he absolutely owned the Cardinals. He pitched against them twice and had a 1.59 ERA. On the other side of the mound we have Jason Marquis. His road ERA is pretty respectable, but in his lone outing against the Phillies last year, he was hammered and only lasted four innings.

Having Scot Rolen back in the line up will definitely help the Phillies. I don’t expect this game to be all that close. The Phillies have a great chance to win at home and the price is right. I am taking the Phillies today.

MLB Sports Pick: Philadelphia Phillies