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The St. Louis Cardinals (50-46) take on the Atlanta Braves (53-42) Saturday in the 2nd game of a 3-game set at Truist Park at 7:20 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Braves odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cardinals lead 2-1
These teams were rained out Friday night, and this will be the nightcap of a doubleheader. The 1st game was not finalized at press time.
The Cards went 2-4 in their final 6 games before the All-Star break, as they were clearly running on fumes. They went 18-12 in 1-run games before the break, and their pen was taxed. OF Alec Burleson has emerged, as he has raked with a .340 BA, 5 homers and 15 RBIs in 53 July at-bats thus far.
The Braves went 3-3 in the final 6 games before the break. DH Marcell Ozuna continues to power the Bravos with a .359 clip, 5 homers and 10 RBIs the last 10 games. The Cards took 2 of 3 against Atlanta in St. Louis, but the Braves are great at home at 29-17.
Cardinals at Braves projected starters
RHP Sonny Gray vs. RHP Bryce Elder
Gray (9-6, 3.34 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.05 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 10.9 K/9 through 99 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 7 IP, 3 ER, 9 H, 0 BB, 6 K in 5-1 home defeat July 12 against Chicago Cubs
- Last 5 starts vs. Braves: 0-2, 2.81 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 33 K in 32 IP
Elder (1-3, 5.71 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.62 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 6.2 K/9 through 34 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 1 K in 5-4 win in 11 innings at Arizona Diamondbacks July 8
- 2 career starts vs. Cardinals: 1-1, 1.50 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 10 K in 12 IP
- June 26 at St. Louis: Loss, 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 4-1 setback
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Cardinals at Braves odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cardinals -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Braves -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals -1.5 (+145) | Braves +1.5 (-180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Cardinals at Braves picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 4, Braves 3
Moneyline
There is still rain in the forecast for this one, so keep that in mind when placing wagers.
The Braves are tough at home, and I think the Cards get 1 game in this series. That will be right here. They had a close call Friday night as some of their players had travel issues and may not have gotten to Atlanta on time. One of those players was All-Star closer Ryan Helsley. He’ll be rested and ready for a save chance.
Take the CARDINALS -110.
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Run line/Against the spread
Player props were pretty limited at press time with the double-dip Saturday, and I don’t like either side of the RL.
PASS.
Over/Under
As mentioned, it could be a wet evening with a light 3.4-mph breeze blowing in. In what could be a long day with rain delays, I like the UNDER 8.5 (-115).
Elder was solid against the Cards last month, and the Braves are just 4-5-1 O/U in their last 10.
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