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The Miami Marlins (0-7) open a 3-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals (3-4) Thursday. First pitch at Busch Stadium is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Marlins vs. Cardinals and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Cardinals won 4-3 last season
The Marlins lost in embarrassing fashion Wednesday, a 10-2 defeat to the Los Angeles Angels in Miami. Entering Thursday, only Miami and the New York Mets — who have played 3 fewer games — remain winless. The Over is 6-1 in Marlins games this season.
The Cardinals battled back in their quest to sweep the San Diego Padres Wednesday but lost 3-2, falling as (+142) road underdogs. LHP Zack Thompson walked 4, allowed 3 stolen bases and served up a HR in the loss.
Marlins at Cardinals projected starters
LHP Ryan Weathers vs. RHP Lance Lynn
Weathers (0-1, 6.75 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He allowed 3 ER on 7 H and 2 BB with 5 K in 4 IP in his debut vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday.
- The 24-year-old was having a strong spring (2 ER in 13 2/3 IP) until his last spring training start against St. Louis March 15; he allowed 4 ER on 7 H in 4 1/3 IP
- 2023 road splits: 1-5, 5.82 ERA (43 1/3 IP, 28 ER — 8 HR), 25 BB, 33 K in 8 starts.
Lynn (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He allowed 4 H and 1 BB with 5 K in 4 scoreless innnings in his debut at the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday.
- The 36-year-old is back with St. Louis; he won a World Series with it in his 2011 rookie season
- Is 4-3 in 10 career games vs. Miami with a 5.48 ERA through 46 IP; his highest ERA vs. any opponent
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Marlins at Cardinals odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:45 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Marlins +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Cardinals -154 (bet $154 to win $100)
- Run line (RL): Marlins +1.5 (-156) | Cardinals -1.5 (+130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -118 | U: -104)
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Marlins at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 5, Marlins 2
Moneyline
INCLUDE IN A ML PARLAY.
This is a lot of juice to lay on its own, but I certainly understand fading a Marlins team that isn’t playing well behind its pitching, according to manager Skip Schumaker. If you like the MINNESOTA TWINS (-152) at home with Pablo Lopez on the mound vs. the Cleveland Guardians, pairing CARDINALS (-154) with Twins ML pays out +173.
Run line
BET CARDINALS -1.5 (+130).
Lynn was solid out the gate vs. a tough L.A. lineup, stranding 3 in the 1st inning with 3 straight strikeouts. His 1st start wrapped up early after a 40-minute weather delay, and he finished with scoreless innings and 5 K’s.
With no weather issues to contend with Thursday, expect Lynn to shut down Marlins bats before turning it over to a solid (so far) Cardinals bullpen.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 8 (-104).
The Marlins bullpen has coughed up a league-high 6 HRs thus far, but they could catch some breaks at Busch Stadium, as it ranks as a top-10 HR-depressing ballpark. Plus, Miami’s offense has only hit 4 HRs thus far, tied for the fewest in the National League.
The 2024 Marlins lineup lacks punch without Jorge Soler in the heart of the order, and CF Jazz Chisholm Jr. (.130 AVG), 2B Luis Arraez (.185 AVG), OF Avisail Garcia (.167 AVG) and SS Tim Anderson (10 strikeouts in 26 at-bats) are off to rough starts.
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