The Cardinals finished the 2005 regular season with exactly 100 wins, five less than the 2004 season. The Cardinals were able to get to the World Series in 2004 but got ousted in 2005. The Astros pitching was just too much for them to handle.

The truth of the matter is these Cardinals went into the 2005 MLB Playoffs unprepared. They finished their last 19 games with a 9-10 record. In their last 30 games, they were only 16-14 on the season. This is a little over a month of just coasting through to get to the playoffs, effectively losing all of their momentum from a great baseball season. The same situation almost happened to the Whitesox until the Indians were able to get their juices flowing again.

On the flip side, the Astros steam-rolled into the playoffs with a 19-11 record L30 and 13-7 L20 games of the season. The season is a long season and the old cliche of "What have you done for me lately?" holds true.

Like most great teams, they smashed right handed pitching. They were at even money units against lefties but smashed righties for a combined +7 units the 2005 MLB Season. In fact, over the past 7 years, these Cardinals are 59% +70 units against right handed pitching. They only had one losing season against righties.

As you bet on the 2006 MLB season, expect the Cardinals to get off to another fast start and watch for them in good betting spots agains right handed pitching and good go-against spots against left handed pitching.

If you are looking to win big this baseball season, check out our free baseball picks that are a documented Top 10 finisher in the 2005 season.