Fargo's **80.8% **3** N.L. Game of the Month** - 9/24/2008 8:15:00 PM

St. Louis Cardinals (Wainwright) -130

**80.8% **3** N.L. Game of the Month** The loss last night by Arizona severely hurt its playoff hopes as it now trails the Dodgers by three games with five games left for each team. It is safe to say the Diamondbacks are pretty much done and the pitching matchup does not help matters tonight. Arizona had a solid run going of three straight wins and a 7-1 mark over its last eight games but the offense was the problem again last night as has been the case all season. Since September 5, Arizona has averaged 3.5 rpg over its last 18 games. The Diamondbacks are 3-12 in their last 15 road games.

St. Louis was going in the other direction prior to last night?s win and that should bring some momentum into tonight. The recent skid has included an offense that was having trouble scoring runs as the Cardinals averaged 3.4 rpg in their previous 24 games. The seven runs last night was just the fifth time in the last 25 games St. Louis has scored six or more runs. The most surprising was that it came against a lefty as the Cardinals have struggled with southpaws all season. St. Louis is 16-7 in the last 23 meetings with Arizona at home.

Adam Wainwright has been a go-to guy all season and in his final start this year, it is fitting to back him big here. He is 10-3 with a 3.21 ERA in 19 starts with the Cardinals going 14-5 in those games. The two months he missed were devastating for the Cardinals and who knows what kind of season it could have been. At home, he is 6-1 with a 2.60 ERA and St. Louis has averaged a solid 6.4 rpg in his 10 home outings on the season. Those 10 outings include eight quality starts. The Cardinals are 8-0 in his last eight home starts against a team with a winning record.

Max Scherzer will be making his final start of the season and he is probably looking forward to next season so he can finally win a game. He has pitched for Arizona on two different occasions and while looking good in both, he has yet to get that coveted first ever Major League win. In three starts in May, Arizona averaged 2.7 rpg and in three starts in September, Arizona has averaged 2.0 rpg. It is no surprise he has not won a game. He has a 4.91 ERA at night compared to 1.55 during the day. Arizona is 0-6 in his six starts and adds to the losses here. Play St. Louis Cardinals 3 Units

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