The Atlanta Braves (79-48) clash with the St. Louis Cardinals (72-54) Saturday in the 2nd game of a 3-game set at Busch Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Braves vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Braves lead 4-1
The Braves took advantage of some poor defense and a patchwork St. Louis bullpen to claim an 11-4 victory in Friday’s opener. Atlanta only led 2-1 after the 4th inning but scored 3 in the 6th and 3 apiece in the final 2 innings before St. Louis plated 3 in their last at-bat. Atlanta is red-hot at 8-2 over the last 10 and 15-5 over the last 20.
The Cards will try to answer the bell with LHP Jordan Montgomery, who has been nothing short of phenomenal since coming over from the Yankees at the trade deadline. St. Louis actually led 1-0 and were putting up good at-bats against stud Atlanta RHP Spencer Strider Friday before a throwing error on a surefire double play led to 2 runs. The doors just burst open after that.
We nailed all 3 bets on this game Friday and aim to do the same Saturday.
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Braves at Cardinals projected starters
RHP Charlie Morton vs. LHP Jordan Montgomery
Morton (6-5, 3.99 ERA) makes his 25th start of the season. He has a 1.17 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 10.9 K/9 in 135 1/3 IP.
- 1-0, 2.49 ERA (25 1/3 IP, 7 ER), 0.87 WHIP, 13.5 K/9 in 4 starts this August
- Struggles on road with 5.08 ERA (62 IP, 35 ER), 1.37 WHIP and 9.6 K/9 vs. 3.07 ERA (73 1/3 IP, 25 ER), 1.01 WHIP and 12.0 K/9 at home
Montgomery (7-3, 3.08 ERA) makes his 26th start. He has a 1.01 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 140 1/3 IP.
- Coming off his 1st-career shutout, allowing 1 hit and striking out 7 Cubs – with no walks – in 1-0 victory at Wrigley Field Monday
- Since joining Cards: 4-0, 0.35 ERA (25 2/3 IP, 1 ER), 0.62 WHIP, 1.1 BB/9 8.4 K/9 in 4 starts
Braves at Cardinals odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:44 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Braves -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Cardinals +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves -1.5 (+140) | Cardinals +1.5 (-175)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)
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Braves at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 4, Braves 2
Money line
Even after Friday’s poor showing, the Cards are still 14-6 and 21-9 over the last 20 and 30 games, respectively. Expect them to bounce back Saturday with Montgomery on the mound. He has been a stud, gives them length, and closer Ryan Helsley came back from paternity leave Friday. Look for him to be available for 2 innings Saturday.
Back the CARDINALS (+100) at even-money.
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Run line/Against the spread
There isn’t much to like about either RL Saturday, and I’m not sold that either offense will take charge in the first 5 innings. I do like CARDINALS +0.5 FIRST 5 INNINGS (-160), which is a bit pricey but gives them a cushion if the game is tied after 5.
I also like COREY DICKERSON OVER 1.5 TOTAL BASES (+135). He’s 8-for-18 (.444) with 2 HR lifetime off of Morton and is coming off a historic 10-for-10 stretch.
Over/Under
The Under is 4-0 in Montgomery’s last 4 starts. There isn’t a lot of data supporting the Under besides that. In fact, this Over would have hit in 5 of the 7 last meetings, dating back to last season. The wind is blowing to the left-field foul pole at 7 mph. Truly, it could go either way. I would lean Under 7.5 (-125), but my official take is PASS.
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