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The St. Louis Cardinals (0-1) take on the Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) for the 2nd game of a 4-game set Friday at Dodger Stadium at 10:10 p.m. ET (Apple TV+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Dodgers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Dodgers lead 1-0
The Cardinals dropped their season opener 7-1 Thursday. RHP Miles Mikolas allowed 5 runs on 7 hits and allowed 2 homers in 4 1/3 IP Thursday. The Cards’ offense mustered just 3 hits. Fortunately for 1B Paul Goldschmidt, he shook off an abysmal spring, collecting all 3 of those hits — including a home run. OF Victor Scott II reached on an error and became the 1st Cardinal to steal a bag in his Major League debut in more than 100 years.
The Dodgers were led by 1B Freddie Freeman, who went 2-for-3 Thursday with a homer and 3 RBIs. SS Mookie Betts also homered, walked twice and scored 3 runs. Betts is now 7-for-11 (.636) with 2 homers and 8 RBIs in 3 games this season. The bullpen is in great shape after RHP Tyler Glasnow went 6 innings, allowing a run, and LHP Ryan Yarbrough pitched 3 scoreless frames for the save.
Cardinals at Dodgers projected starters
LHP Zack Thompson vs. RHP Bobby Miller
Thompson (5-7, 4.48 ERA) made 9 starts and 16 relief appearances in 2023. He had a 1.42 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9 in 66 1/3 innings.
- 2023 as starter: 3-4, 4.57 ERA (45 1/3 IP), 1.32 WHIP, 46 K in 9 starts
- 2023 road stats: 2-3, 5.88 ERA (26 IP, 17 ER) in 3 starts and 9 relief appearances
- 2023 vs. Dodgers: Loss, 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K in 1 relief appearance, a 6-3 road loss April 30
- Career vs. Dodgers: 0-1, 4.50 ERA (4 IP, 2 ER) in 3 relief appearances
Miller (11-4, 3.76 ERA) made 22 starts in 2023. He had a 1.10 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 in 124 1/3 innings.
- 2024 spring training: 2.77 ERA (13 IP), 1.31 WHIP, 9 K
- 2023 home stats: 5-3, 4.55 ERA (57 1/3 IP, 29 ER) in 10 starts
- Never faced St. Louis before
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Cardinals at Dodgers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cardinals +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Dodgers -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals +1.5 (+100) | Dodgers -1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Cardinals at Dodgers picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 6, Dodgers 4
Moneyline
The Cards find a way to take one in this series, and it will be this one. Thompson looked really good in spring with a 2.25 ERA and 12 K’s in 12 IP. The Dodgers hit just .246 with a .787 OPS against lefties last season vs. .262 with a .798 OPS against righties. Thompson will miss enough bats, and the Cards’ bats will awaken just enough.
Take the CARDINALS +185.
Run line/Against the spread
I like the odds for STL here as well. If their bullpen happens to blow it or they can’t quite make it over the hump, there’s an even-money cookie at the end.
Take the CARDINALS +1.5 (+100).
Over/Under
We said Thursday’s total was going to be close, and we nailed it as the Under 9 cashed with a 7-1 final. We’re likely to sweat out another one Friday, but the Cardinals have a good offense that should show up one day later.
Take the OVER 9 (+100).
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