This is a 9* TOP NL TOTAL on the OVER Phillies/Cardinals.

Both teams have been playing to several lower-scoring games of late, but we're expecting those trends to finally end this afternoon.

The Phillies have now seen the total go UNDER in three straight after yesterday's low-scoring 2-0 win here. That's signficiant to note in this case, as Philadelphia has seen the total go OVER the number in eight of its last 11 after playing to three or more straight UNDERS in a row.

St. Louis has now seen the total go UNDER in nine of its last ten and in six straight. Note though that the Cardinals have seen the total eclipse the posted number in 12 of their last 16 in trying to revenge a shutout home loss against an opponent.

Neither starter has been terrible. Each hasn't been great either. "Pedestrian" best describes their respective performances at the moment.

The Phillies go with Kyle Gibson (4-4, 4.91 ERA), while the home side counters with Dakota Hudson (6-5, 4.29). Hudson got rocked in his last outing, alloiwing six runs on nine hits with thre walks over four innings vs. the Braves on Monday (in fact, he hasn't pitched more than five innings in his past four starts.)

Gibson was also shelled in his last trip to the hill, allowing four consecutive homers at one point, allowing six runs and two walks over four innings in a loss to the Cardinals.

Neither starter is just "throwing a switch" here today.

Recent form of these starters, combined with the situation and these numbers/trends all point to the OVER as the correct call in this one.

Good luck, NP