2010 World Cup betting players have seen injuries take their toll on some teams in the tournament, and injuries pop up in every sport, causing situations to change. Toronto had high hopes for Chris Carpenter before he was hurt, and St. Louis has reaped the benefits of having the Cy Young winner around. Carpenter will make his first appearance in Toronto since 2005 on Wednesday when his Cardinals take on the Blue Jays.
Cardinals Blue Jays Betting – Wednesday, June 23, 7:07 PM ET
Carpenter (8-1, 2.83) didn’t have his best stuff in a 6-4 win at home over Oakland, but he still earned his eighth win of the year by allowing four runs on 10 hits over seven innings, striking out five and walking one. Carpenter is now third in the National League in innings, going at least five strong in each of his 15 starts this season. The 35-year-old has faced his former team only once, and that was in Toronto during his Cy Young-winning season of 2005, and it was a memorable one. Carpenter took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and tossed a one-hit complete-game masterpiece, striking out 10 in a 7-0 win. Like people who write a World Cup blog even know, revenge is a great motivating factor.
Ricky Romero (6-3, 3.08) had some control problems in his last outing, but still came away with a 7-1 win in San Diego as he gave up a run (none earned) on five hits over six innings, striking out five and walking three. Romero threw 108 pitches in those six innings of work, and that’s about par for the course for the southpaw, who is third in the American League in strikeouts, but eighth in walks. This is the first start against the Cardinals for the 25-year-old.
MLB betting odds should have the Blue Jays as the favorite at home, and they beat the Cardinals in two of three at Rogers Center back in 2005, but they had nothing for Carpenter, who tossed a gem in the middle of a three-game series. It’s a similar situation for Carpenter as it’s also the second of a three-game set, and it doesn’t matter how often he comes to Toronto, Carpenter will always want to do well against his former team. Romero would do well to watch the efficient Carpenter, who doesn’t waste many pitches and will be again one of the favorites for the Cy Young in the National League. It won’t be a one-hitter like in 2005, but Carpenter will bring his best stuff to Toronto on Wednesday night, and he’ll lead his team to a close win over the young Romero and the Blue Jays in what should be a low-scoring affair.
Online sports betting pick: St. Louis