The San Diego Padres (76-70) are in the final stop of their 10-game road trip as they open a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals (76-69) Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET at Busch Stadium. Let’s analyze the lines around the Padres vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
RHP Vince Velasquez (3-6, 5.95 ERA) makes his 18th start of the season in what will be his first appearance for Padres. Prior to joining San Diego, he posted a 1.48 WHIP with 5.0 BB/9 and 9.4 K/9 through 81 2/3 IP in 21 games for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2021.
- He was signed by the Padres Wednesday, three days after being released by the Phillies Sunday.
- In three of his last four starts for Philly, he did not get out of the third inning and allowed at least 5 runs.
RHP Miles Mikolas (0-2, 5.47 ERA) makes his seventh start for the Cardinals. He has a 1.41 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 6.2 K/9 through 26 1/3 IP after spending the first two-thirds of the season on the injured list.
- Allowed 4 earned runs in each of his last three starts.
- Has not pitched more than 5 innings in any start.
Also see: 2021 World Series odds for all teams
Padres at Cardinals odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:34 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Padres +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Cardinals -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Padres +1.5 (-175) | Cardinals -1.5 (+140)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
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Prediction
Padres 6, Cardinals 4
Money line (ML)
The Padres have won two in a row following a five-game skid. They trail the Cardinals by half a game for the final NL Wild Card spot. They are only 32-39 on the road this season. They are 3-0 against the Cardinals this season, but this is their first trip to St. Louis in 2021.
The Cardinals are hot right now, having won five in a row and seven of their last eight games. They are 39-33 at Busch Stadium and 31-39 against winning teams.
In the opener, take the PADRES (+115).
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The Padres are 69-77 ATS this season and 35-36 ATS on the road. They covered the spread in two of the three games against the Cardinals earlier this season, and covered the spread in five of their last 10 overall.
The Cardinals are a little better at 75-70 ATS overall but are 33-39 ATS at home. They have covered the spread in 12 of their last 18 games. However, they are only 18-27 ATS when favored at home.
I think the Padres will come away with the outright win, but going PADRES +1.5 (-175) gives you some breathing room.
Over/Under (O/U)
Three of the Padres’ last four games have had at least 9 combined runs.
Nine of the Cardinals’ last 15 games have totals of 9 or more.
Two of the three games they played against one another finished with a total of 9 or more.
Take OVER 8.5 (-130).
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