Below we will break down in detail two starting ptichers that have been on fire as well as one cold pitcher. We will also highlight the other pitchers worth mentioning on the current day. Thursday is a small card of games, but we were able to find five pitchers with ERA's below 3.00 in their last 5 starts as well as two cold pitchers with ERA's over 7.00. Hot Starters: Chris Carpenter (3-0, 34 IP, 1.85 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 40K's) Carpenter was a regular on our list last year, but I am going to mention why you may not want to back him on Thursday. First and for most they are -270 and the value is just not with them. Also Houston sends a struggling Norris to the mound who in his career is 3-0 with 0 ER vs. the Cardinals in 3 starts last year. Carpenter though should be dominant against an Astros team hitting .195 and scoring 2.72 runs per 9 in their last 5 vs. RHP. Carpenter in 3 starts in 2009 was 1-2 vs. the Astros, but had a 1.96 ERA in 23 IP. Houston has a .237 average in a combined 139 AB. This will be an early day start, and that is where Carpenter has dominated. He has a 1.39 day ERA this year and a 2.00 ERA during day starts in 2009 in 11 starts compared to his 2.41 ERA at night in 17 starts. Cardinals also have Carpenter on 5 days rest where they are 26-6 in his last 32 starts on 5 days. Houston on the other hand has really struggled vs. RH pitching going 17-38 in their last 55. They do seem to play with some grit when they are big time dogs going an incredible 7-3 in their last 10 games as a +201 or higher under dog. If anything I think we can expect a pitchers duel because both teams really haven't been hitting this year combined as the Astros rank 30th in runs scored per game while the Cardinals are 20th. Josh Johnson (3-0, 33 IP, 2.45 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 37K's) Johnson has owned the Mets up until opening day this year where he got the loss giving up 4 ER in 5 IP. Before that he was 7-0 vs. the Mets with a 2.30 ERA in 9 career starts including a 2.14 ERA and 4-0 record at home vs. the Mets. He'll try to rebound from his last start against the Mets and now is a good time because the Mets have been hot and cold. Marlins are not a bad play given who they have on the mound, but the Mets counter with Santanna. Johan is 6-1 with a career 1.66 ERA vs. the Marlins and the Marlins really have not started to his so if anything here I would bet on the under. Mets on the road this year have gone 4-8 though and are hitting just .212 against RHP on the road averaging 3.29 runs per 9. The Marlins will look to expand on their success behind their ace as they are 23-5 in his last 28 starts on 4 days rest. Honorable Mention L5 Starts Johnathan Sanchez (2-2, 31.2 IP, 2.56 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 34K's) C.J. Wilson (3-1, 34.2 IP, 1.82 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) Zach Greinke (0-3, 34 IP, 2.12 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) Cold Starters: Bud Norris (1-3, 23.2 IP, 7.23 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, 30K) You have heard it already with Norris earlier in this article and his success against the Cardinals in three career starts. Add in the fact that his stats are bound to turn around given that he has 30 K's in his last 5 starts in 23.2 IP. On the season he has 33K's in 26 IP. Last year he had an ERA below 5 with 54K's in 55.2 IP. Cardinals have an average of .227 in 44 career AB vs. Norris. If you like a value play this game is bound to be close and a pitchers duel. The Astros are big time dogs and play hard when they are going 7-3 in their last 10 as +200 or greater. Do note he is going against arguably the best pitcher behind Roy Halladay in baseball in Chris Carpenter. Ice Cold: Ben Sheets (2-3, 25.2 IP 7.36 ERA)
 

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