The Atlanta Braves (2-1) and St. Louis Cardinals (2-1) open a 3-game series Monday at Busch Stadium in an early season battle of NL pennant contenders. First pitch is at 7:45 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Braves vs. Cardinals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting of 2023; Atlanta won the 2022 season series 4-3.
The Braves came up short in their attempt at a 3-game sweep of the Washington Nationals Sunday, falling 4-1 in the finale. 1B Matt Olson had a big series, going 4-for-11 (.364) with 2 home runs and 3 RBIs.
The Cards took 2 of 3 from the Toronto Blue Jays in their opening series as they stormed off with a 9-4 victory Sunday. DH Nolan Gorman hit 2 homers and drove in 4 runs in the finale.
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Braves at Cardinals projected starters
RHP Charlie Morton vs. RHP Jake Woodford
Morton makes his first start. He was 9-6 with a 4.34 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9 through 173 IP last season.
- Allowed 4 ER on 5 H and 3 BB with 4 K in 5 IP in no-decision at St. Louis last season (Aug. 27).
- Started slowly last year with a 7.00 ERA (14 ER in 18 IP) in 4 April starts.
Woodford makes his 1st start. He was 4-0 with a 2.23 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9 and 4.5 K/9 through 48 1/3 IP last season.
- Had a great spring with a 2.04 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a surprising 18 K’s in 17 2/3 IP.
- Won his only start last season with 5 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB and 1 K against the Cubs.
Braves at Cardinals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Braves -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Cardinals +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves -1.5 (+130) | Cardinals +1.5 (-155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Braves at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Braves 6, Cardinals 5
Moneyline
The Braves are the correct side here, but the Cards’ bats will make it interesting. The Cards plated 22 runs in their first 3 games, but the Braves have more talent in the bullpen to offset them. Woodford keeps the game close, but Atlanta delivers late.
Take the BRAVES (-130).
Run line/Against the spread
I’m not a fan of either side here and want to look elsewhere. As previously mentioned, I think the game is tight in the first 5 innings. So I’m going with UNDER 4.5 RUNS FIRST 5 INNINGS (-120) to win a FULL UNIT, and I’ll drop a HALF UNIT on UNDER 3.5 RUNS FIRST 5 INNINGS (+155).
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Over/Under
The Braves’ bullpen has been lights-out with a 1.50 ERA, but this Cardinals lineup is loaded with good eyes that grind out at-bats. The Cards’ pen has not been good with a 4.61 ERA. While I like the Under for the first 5, I like the Over for the entire game. Take the ALTERNATE OVER 8.5 (+100) as this could be a shootout late. It also hedges the possibility both teams fire out of the gates early.
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