Blue Jays at Cardinals Odds, Lines, Free Picks and Predictions – Free MLB Picks 6-26-11

Free MLB Picks, Tips and Odds: Toronto Blue Jays @ St Louis Cardinals Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Expert Predictions 6/26/11: The Toronto Blue Jays have already won their weekend series with the St. Louis Cardinals but they will be looking for the sweep and another Yankees loss to climb up the AL East ranks. It was Juan Rivera who catapulted the Jays to victory last night with his 3rd inning blast off of Cardinals hurler Jaime Garcia. Carlos Villaneuva provided another solid outing on the mound for the Canadian club and earned his 5th win on the season. Carlos has been a bright spot on a beleaguered Jays pitching rotation and he is giving hope for a strong future. Virtually gained at the expense of nothing, Carlos Villaneuva has risen to the occasion and has finally rounded out his ensemble of high-grade pitches. He brings to the mound a fantastic breaking ball, excellent curve, solid fastball, and an improving cutter. He loves to work quickly and rarely gives up free bases, and with each win he is giving manager John Farrell less and less of a headache when it comes to figuring out what to do when Jesse Litsch is healthy again. Ricky Romero will have his shot to add another win to his season total as he will start for the 16th time this season. Romero has had an arguable inconsistent season to this point and is just not the same hurler as he was a season ago.

The Cardinals were devastated by a huge third inning for the Jays and never were able to rebound for the rest of the affair. Jaime Garcia had an off day of sorts yesterday night as he gave up 5 runs on 5 hits in 7 innings of work. Stats who would make the average pitcher proud, Garcia has come to be known as an upper echelon pitcher and he, himself, could have pitched a lot stronger. It was yet another loss without the services of Albert Pujols and another game lost on the NL Central leading Brewers. It will be critical for any postseason aspirations that the Cardinals ride the storm without Pujols services on a consistent tone. There is no question they are not the same powerful club without Albert but they can ill-afford to go on several long losing streaks. If they can find a way to play close to .500 baseball without Pujols then they might be in fine shape when he returns, they will have to stay relatively in range of the Milwaukee Brewers. After todays matinee the Cardinals will receive an off day tomorrow, before heading east to Baltimore to take part in another American League East three game set.

The complimentary selection this afternoon will be with the Toronto Blue JaysBetGuardian Sportsbook) who will be hitting for the sweep. After an inept early week series against the Braves, the Toronto Blue Jays have brought their backs to the city of St. Louis. Players who are supposed to hit are finally doing so. Jose Bautista and Adam Lind have provided some timely and clutch hitting in the series thus far, none more impressive then Bautistas blast in the top of the ninth on Friday night. The Cardinals are simply not the same club without Albert Pujols in the lineup and his services are dearly missed. Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis and has never lost against pitcher Kyle McClelland. St. Louis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games and is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home. We will consider the blue birds picking up the sweep this afternoon on the arm of ace Ricky Romero. Cheers!

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