Each week Vegas Expert Ben Burns examines MLB parks from a bettors' perspective. This week, he breaks down St. Louis' Busch Stadium.

Statistically, the St. Louis Cardinals are a better offensive team away from Busch Stadium.

Yet, for bettors, few teams are more profitable at home than the Cardinals.

Heading into Monday’s series-opener against Philadelphia, St. Louis is 47 games over .500 at home since moving into the new Busch Stadium in 2006.

But it’s very difficult to figure out why the Cardinals are so much better at home.

The stats simply don’t back it up.

Last season, the Cardinals scored 31 less runs and hit 16 fewer home runs at home than they did on the road.

The Cards’ pitching was somewhat better at Busch, but not significantly. The team’s ERA at home in 2008 was only .2 runs better than on the road.

St. Louis continues to win at home, though. The Cardinals are already 10-3 at Busch Stadium this season.

But why?

It’s a tough question, with no absolute answer.

One thing is for sure — Busch Stadium is anything but a hitter-friendly park.

Located in downtown St. Louis and featuring a view of the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium is very open and exposed to the weather elements.

In 2006, a severe thunderstorm damaged the park’s press box, portable concession stands and press box. Thirty fans were injured during the storm.

The stadium has since designated certain shelter areas throughout the park in case of inclement weather.

Even though wind isn’t generally a factor, rarely blowing harder than 10 or 15 mph, the effects are amplified by the stadium’s open-air design.

Busch Stadium is one of the bigger parks as well, with power alleys at 375 feet to right- and left-center field.

It’s 336 and 335 down the left- and right-field foul lines respectively.

The result has been an over/under ratio of 111 to 122 in the first three years at Busch Stadium.

This Week’s Series

Monday, Tuesday: vs. Philadelphia

•Adam Wainwright, who is expected to start for the Cardinals Monday, is 2-0 with a miniscule 1.17 ERA against the Phillies in the past three seasons.

•Albert Pujols is a .346 career hitter against Philadelphia’s Brett Myers, Monday’s expected starter.

•Cole Hamels, who was slated to pitch for the Phillies Tuesday, is battling an injured ankle. He tested the ankle in the bullpen over the weekend and felt discomfort. Keep an eye on his status for Tuesday’s game.

Wednesday, Thursday: vs. Pittsburgh

•Todd Wellemeyer, Wednesday’s scheduled starter for St. Louis, is 3-1 with a 3.61 ERA against Pittsburgh.

•The Pirates have hit Joel Pineiro hard the past three seasons. Pineiro has an ERA of 6.59 against Pittsburgh.

•Pujols is a career .440 hitter against Pittsburgh’s Zach Duke, Wednesday’s scheduled starter.

•The Pirates split a four-game series at Busch Stadium to begin the season. The two teams averaged nine runs per game.

David Payne writes for Vegas Expert Ben Burns.

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