Those checking out NFL betting lines will know all about a team getting on a run, whether it’s good or bad. Here are two examples of two teams who are heading in the opposite direction, and it could very well decide their season.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals didn’t have the best first half, well, by their standards, anyway. Many were saying Albert Pujols was in a slump, yet he ranked in the top 10 of all three Triple Crown categories. The Cardinals were caught off guard by a surprising Cincinnati team that came out of nowhere to roll through the first half, but a current six-game winning streak has the Cardinals back in first place, and it should stay that way for the rest of the season, or at least into the beginning of the NCAA football betting season for Missouri fans. However, there are a couple of things to watch for, actually, one thing: the Cardinals need to get some help for starters Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter. Wainwright is a legitimate Cy Young and Triple Crown candidate, while Carpenter probably heads the second tier of contenders, but their other starters have been terrible. How long can they carry the rotation? That’s going to be a major question down the stretch.
Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have dropped their last six and are slowly slipping out of range behind Chicago, while being locked in what should be a vicious MLB betting war with Minnesota. The Tigers have one of the best offenses in the majors, led by Triple Crown and MVP candidate Miguel Cabrera, while rookie Brennan Boesch has been having a brilliant year and will probably be Rookie of the Year. But they have the same problem as St. Louis, and they have just one starter to count on. Justin Verlander has been a beast this year, showing that the big-money extension that he signed to stay in Detroit was well worth it to the Tigers, but is it worth it to him if he‘s the only starter that can get a win? Rick Porcello fell flat on his face in his sophomore year and is still down in the minors, so they may have to go chasing a Dan Haren, or a Ben Sheets, or whoever else is left after Cliff Lee signed with Texas. The rest of the staff is solid, and we know the offense isn’t going anywhere, but you can’t make it to the playoffs with only one great starter, you need at least two, and even if you get to the postseason with one great starter, than what?
