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The San Francisco Giants were able to rally from losing its first two games at home of the NLDS against the Cincinnati Reds, but certainly the Giants don’t want to face another hole like that heading into Game 2 of the NLCS against St. Louis on Monday night. They are -116 favorites on Vegassportsbetting.com.
St. Louis won Game 1 6-4 on Sunday night. Carlos Beltran and David Freese each hit two-run homers. It was Beltran’s 14th career postseason home run and third this October.
Eight of Carlos Beltran’s 14 career postseason home runs have come in the NLCS. He is now tied with Steve Garvey for the second most NLCS homers all-time. Former Cardinals star Albert Pujols has the most with 10. The Giants dropped to 0-3 at home so far during these playoffs, outscored 20-6 at AT&T Park.
Tonight, the Cardinals’ Chris Carpenter will oppose Ryan Vogelsong. Making just his fourth start of the year, Carpenter pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings in the Cardinals’ Game 3 win in the NLDS.
Carpenter’s command and arm strength have improved each time out, meaning that durability is no longer a concern.
He didn’t face the Giants this season, but he’s 4-1 lifetime against them with a 3.57 ERA in eight starts. At AT&T Park, he’s made just two starts, winning both but allowing a total of six runs in 12 2/3 innings.
Perhaps the home field will help Vogelsong, who had a sharp five-inning outing in Game 3 of the NLDS in Cincinnati, but whose ERA was more than a full run better at home (2.86) than on the road (3.87) this season.
Vogelsong no-hit Cincinnati in the final four innings of his NLDS Game 3 start, which happened to be his first postseason appearance. Opponents hit .426 off him with runners in scoring position in his last nine regular-season outings.
In his only outing against St. Louis this season, Vogelson turned in one of his finest performances of 2012, holding the Cardinals to just three hits in seven scoreless innings in a win at Busch Stadium on Aug. 8.
The former Pirate’s career record isn’t as good, going 2-4 with a 6.51 ERA in 16 appearances and six starts against the Cardinals. His only two starts against the Cardinals while a member of the Giants were at Busch Stadium, earning a no-decision in a loss last May in addition to the August start.
Of the 18 teams who have taken a 2-0 lead in the NLCS, 16 have gone on to win it. Add in the American League’s history, and 2-0 teams are 35-for-40 in the LCS.
Vegas trends: Giants are 1-4 in their last 5 playoff games as a favorite. Giants are 1-4 in their last 5 playoff games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
Giants are 1-4 in their last 5 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5. Giants are 2-8 in their last 10 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150. Giants are 0-4 in their last 4 home games vs. a right-handed starter. Giants are 0-4 in their last 4 games as a favorite of -110 to -150. Giants are 0-5 in their last 5 games as a favorite.
Cardinals are 5-0 in their last 5 games as an underdog. Cardinals are 4-0 in their last 4 games as a road underdog. Cardinals are 4-0 in their last 4 playoff games as an underdog. Cardinals are 4-0 in their last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter. Cardinals are 5-1 in their last 6 League Championship games.
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