The Los Angeles Dodgers (88-51) face the St. Louis Cardinals (69-68) for the third game of their four-game series Wednesday. First pitch from Busch Stadium is set for 7:45 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the Dodgers vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Dodgers RHP Mitch White (1-2, 3.49 ERA) is projected to make his fourth start and 19th appearance. He has a 1.29 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 through 38 2/3 IP.
- Has a 3.44 ERA over 18 1/3 IP across three starts and one relief appearance in his last four outings. The relief appearance was 7 1/3 scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
- Is 0-2 with 7 ER on 11 H, 6 BB, 3 HR and 15 K over 11 IP as a starter. Has faced the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies on the road and the Colorado Rockies at home in his three starts.
Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright (14-7, 2.91 ERA) makes his 28th start. He has a 1.03 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 through 176 IP.
- National League Pitcher of the Month for August as he recorded a 5-1 record with a 1.43 ERA over 44 IP across six starts.
- Is 7-5 with a 2.58 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 8.2 K/9 through 16 starts at home.
Dodgers at Cardinals odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Dodgers -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Cardinals +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread/ATS: Dodgers -1.5 (+130) | Cardinals +1.5 (-160)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Prediction
Cardinals 4, Dodgers 3
Money line (ML)
White’s start makes for tricky analysis – he’s yet to see action beyond the fourth inning in any of his starts, but the team did trust him to handle 7 1/3 innings in relief just two appearances back. How long he stays in the game Wednesday is anyone’s guess.
His giving way early to the bullpen may be beneficial for the Cardinals. Although the Dodgers relief corps has a league-best 1.96 ERA over the last 30 days their SIERA and xFIP tell a story of an average group.
It’s hard to find a reason to bet against Wainwright here. The 40-year old is enjoying a resurgent season and did not allow more than 2 earned runs in any of his last six starts; he allowed 0 earned runs in three of them.
Wainwright is unlikely to blank the Dodgers but a small bet on the CARDINALS (+105) is my play.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Look to the Cardinals on the money line for value and PASS on the run line.
Los Angeles has taken four of five games from St. Louis with an average margin of victory of 6.3 runs in the season series. If things go poorly for the Cardinals Wednesday the run and a half may not be enough to salvage things and the price makes it too steep to consider.
Over/Under (O/U)
Wainwright has been on a very successful run since June and I’m behind that to continue. However, the Cardinals aren’t terrific against right-handed pitching and probably won’t light up White, either.
Both bullpens have pitched well over the last 30 days. The Dodgers are league leaders in ERA, despite perhaps being a little fortunate, and the Cardinals rank first in xFIP and fourth in SIERA over that span.
To top it off there is a pitcher-friendly crosswind and low humidity forecasted for Wednesday’s game in Missouri. Back the UNDER 8.5 (-115).
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