Big Al

Cincinnati vs. St. Louis
Pick: St. Louis -158

There have been some hot teams lately, including -- obviously -- the Indians with their record streak, the Nationals (becoming the first team to clinch their Division) and the D-Backs with their recent victories over the Dodgers. But very quietly the Cardinals have also done their share of winning lately. In fact, you may have noticed that the Brewers climbed within just two games of the Cubs when they swept the World Series Champs in Wrigley last weekend. But you may not have noticed that the Cards are right there with them after going 10-2 in their last 12 games, including a blow-out win in game one of this home series against the Reds last night. 21-year-old rookie RH Jack Flaherty will take the mound for the Cards for just his third MLB start in this critical game tonight. The former first round draft pick (2014) got his MLB career career off to a rough start but settled down in his second start, allowing one run on three hits in five innings. The most important stat however is the 2-0 record that the Cards have in Flaherty's two starts. This will be his home debut and the home team is 7-2 in the last nine meetings of these two.