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<\/a>St. Louis definitely has a different look to it after winning an improbable World Series last year, as Tony La Russa is no longer controlling the dugout and star first baseman Albert Pujols is now found batting third in the Los Angeles Angels lineup.\u00a0 \u201cWe had a lot of guys step up,\u201d commented Cardinals opening day starter Kyle Lohse.\u00a0 The franchise finished last year\u2019s regular season with a flourish, winning 23 of its last 32 games to earn the National League\u2019s wild card spot.\u00a0 Tonight\u2019s game is certainly important, but the franchise will play 27 consecutive contests against division rivals starting Friday.\u00a0 St. Louis is 5-1 ATS as a road underdog of +151 to +200.<\/p>\n
Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Lohse tallied a solid 14-8 record and 3.39 ERA in 30 starts during the 2011 campaign.\u00a0 The right-hander performed brilliantly at times on the road, going 8-3 with a 3.13 ERA, as he allowed just five home runs in 97 2\/3 innings.\u00a0 Lohse also finished the first month of the season a year ago with a 4-1 mark and 1.63 ERA, as opposing batters hit just .173 against him.\u00a0 The 33-year-old is 2-2 with a 5.85 ERA in six career starts versus the Miami franchise.<\/p>\n
Miami will officially move out of Sun Life Stadium after sharing the facility with an NFL franchise for 19 years, with Marlins Park being unveiled to the world in a nationally-televised broadcast.\u00a0 The Marlins are hoping that the facility will energize the fan base, while also allowing the team to have some sort of home-field advantage.\u00a0 \u201cYou can have a beautiful house with a beautiful view,\u201d stated new manager Ozzie Guillen.\u00a0 \u201cBut if the people living in the house stink, it ain\u2019t going to be so beautiful.\u00a0 Florida is 17-35 in its last 52 games.<\/p>\n
Marlins starting pitcher Josh Johnson only made nine starts a year ago due to right shoulder inflammation, as the team shelved him for the rest of the year despite his willingness to pitch last September.\u00a0 \u201cAt the end of the season, I was feeling fine,\u201d commented Johnson.\u00a0 \u201cI just ran out of time.\u201d\u00a0 The right-hander was 3-1 with a sparkling 1.64 ERA in those nine outings, surrendering just two home runs in 60 1\/3 innings.\u00a0 Johnson is 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA in five career starts versus the Cardinals.<\/p>\n
Bettors will likely back the Marlins due to being 21-7 in Johnson\u2019s last 28 starts as a home favorite, while the Cardinals are 2-5 in Lohse\u2019s last seven outings versus NL East squads.<\/p>\n