St. Louis Cardinals at Arizona Diamondbacks odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s St. Louis Cardinals at Arizona Diamondbacks odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The St. Louis Cardinals (28-22) face the Arizona Diamondbacks (18-33) for the second of a four-game series Friday night with a 9:40 p.m. ET first pitch at Chase Field. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cardinals vs. Diamondbacks odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Johan Oviedo is the projected starting pitcher for the Cardinals. He is 0-2 with a 5.74 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 7.5 K/9 and 5.2 BB/9 in 15 2/3 IP over 3 starts and 1 relief appearance. He is making his first start since May 14 after a stint in the minor leagues. He lasted only two-plus innings in his last start in the majors, giving up 3 runs on 2 hits and walking 5 without a strikeout.

LHP Madison Bumgarner is the projected starting pitcher for the Diamondbacks. He is 4-4 with a 4.53 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 9.4 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 53 2/3 IP over 10 starts. Bumgarner has lost his last 2 starts, allowing 9 runs (7 earned) over 10 innings. He is 2-1 with a 3.78 ERA at Chase Field this year.

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Cardinals at Diamondbacks odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:28 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cardinals +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Diamondbacks -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cardinals +1.5 (-175) | Diamondbacks -1.5 (+145)
  • Over/Under: 9 (O: -120 | U: +100)

Prediction

Cardinals 5, Diamondbacks 2

Money line (ML)

The Diamondbacks have lost 11 straight games and 14 of their last 15 contests. They have scored only 24 runs in the losing streak and have allowed 58. They are better at Chase Field (9-12) than they have been on the road (9-21).

The Cardinals have won 2 in a row, but prior had lost 3 straight and 7 of their last 10. They picked up a 5-4 10-inning win over Arizona Thursday night.

Until the Diamondbacks figure things out it’s hard to back them, take the CARDINALS (+105).

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Despite their overall record, the Diamondbacks are 27-24 ATS this season. They have been 1.5-run dogs in 13 of their last 14 games and have covered the spread in only 5 of those games.

The Cardinals are 4-7 ATS in their last 11 games and failed to cover the 1.5-run line Thursday night, with a one-run win in extra innings. They are 15-10 ATS this season on the road.

Right now, it is a good bet to ride with whomever the Diamondbacks are playing. Take the CARDINALS +1.5 (-175).

Over/Under (O/U)

The Diamondbacks have scored 4 runs in two consecutive games but have scored 2 or fewer runs in 7 games of their 11-game skid. They are 2-8-1 O/U in their last 11.

They scored 5 runs to beat the D-Backs in extra innings on Thursday, but before that the Cardinals had scored 3 or fewer runs in 5 of 6 games. Five of their last six games have gone Under the total as well.

Take UNDER 9 RUNS (+100).

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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St. Louis Cardinals at Arizona Diamondbacks odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s St. Louis Cardinals at Arizona Diamondbacks odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The St. Louis Cardinals (27-22) begin a four-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks (18-32) Thursday at Chase Field. First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cardinals vs. Diamondbacks odds with MLB picks and predictions.

St. Louis prevented a three-game sweep by the Chicago White Sox with a 4-0 win Wednesday but is just 4-6 in the last 10 games.

Arizona is ice-cold right now with 10 straight losses, including a 5-4 loss Wednesday to the San Francisco Giants in which the D-Backs held a four-run lead after the second inning.

Season series: 0-0.

RHP Carlos Martinez is the projected starter for the Cardinals. He is 3-4 with a 4.18 ERA (47 1/3 IP, 22 ER), 1.12 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 4.6 K/9 through eight starts.

  • Last outing: No-decision in 6 IP with 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB and 2 K vs. the Chicago Cubs Friday.
  • Career vs. D-Backs: 3-1 with a 2.51 ERA (43 IP, 12 ER), 1.07 WHIP and 9.0 K/9 across six starts and six relief appearances.
    • vs. D-Backs on the current roster: 56 at-bats with a .179/.270/.250 slash line, 17/6 K/BB, 0 HR and 3 RBIs.

RHP Matt Peacock makes his third career start for the D-Backs. He is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA (22 IP, 12 ER), 1.09 WHIP, 1.2 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 in two starts and eight relief appearances.

  • Last outing: No-decision in 5 1/3 IP with 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB and 4 K in Arizona’s 4-2 loss at the Los Angeles Dodgers last Wednesday.

MLB betting offers/promotions

BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

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Cardinals at Diamondbacks odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:40 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cardinals -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Diamondbacks -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cardinals -1.5 (+140) | Diamondbacks +1.5 (-165)
  • Over/Under: 9.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)

Prediction

Cardinals 11, Diamondbacks 2

Money line (ML)

BET the CARDINALS (-110) for 1 unit because I really like St. Louis’ odds off drilling Arizona’s starter, Martinez’s splits against the D-Backs are impressive and Arizona’s bullpen has the worst WAR in the majors.

Peacock doesn’t strike out a lot of batters—he grades in the 9th-percentile of K%, 2nd-percentile of whiff rate and 4th-percentile of chase rate—and he gives up a lot of hard contact (17th percentile in hard-hit rate and 35th percentile in exit velocity).

The Cardinals’ lineup has the fifth-highest contact rate and the eighth-lowest swinging strike rate. Also, Peacock’s most used pitch in his arsenal is his sinker and the heart of the St. Louis order hits the sinker well.

The two through four hitters (RF Dylan Carson, 1B Paul Goldschmidt and 3B Nolan Arenado) all have a plus-3 or higher run value vs. sinkers with a 42.4% or higher hard-hit rate and .433 or better wOBA.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

“LEAN” to the CARDINALS -1.5 (+140) for a half unit because of the aforementioned reasons and we are getting a fluffy payout.

Additionally, St. Louis is 4-1 on the run line when favored on the road and Arizona is 6-7 ATS as a home dog.

Over/Under (O/U)

Slight “LEAN” to the OVER 9.5 (+100) for a quarter unit because the St. Louis lineup is in a good spot for a big day and both teams’ situational trends skew toward the Overt.

I wouldn’t bet the Over too heavily because Martinez has good numbers against the D-Backs and he has had a quality start in four of his past five outings.

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago White Sox odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Wednesday’s St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago White Sox odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The St. Louis Cardinals (26-22) and Chicago White Sox (28-19) tangle in the final game of their three-game interleague set Wednesday at 2:10 p.m. ET at Guaranteed Rate Field. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cardinals vs. White Sox odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP John Gant is the projected starting pitcher for the Cardinals. He is 3-3 with a 2.04 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 7.3 K/9 and 6.4 BB/9 over 39 2/3 IP through 8 starts.

Gant has negotiated his way around that high walk rate to give the Cards 5-plus innings in six of his eight starts. He has benefited, though, from a low 3.6% rate of fly balls landing as home runs.

LHP Carlos Rodon is the projected starter for the White Sox. He is 5-1 with a 1.27 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 13.1 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 through 42 2/3 IP over 7 starts.

MLB betting offers/promotions

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Cardinals at White Sox odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:05 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cardinals +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | White Sox -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cardinals +1.5 (-120) | White Sox -1.5 (+100)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Prediction

White Sox 6, Cardinals 3

Money line (ML)

Chicago is the hotter team, and the White Sox offense has put together a .791 OPS over the last 15 games. The straight play here has gotten pricier since the market opened, but CHICAGO (-200) is still a likable play.

It’s a play bullish on Rodon and the ChiSox’s bullpen and bearish on Gant and the Redbirds’ ‘pen.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

The White Sox took the first two games of the series by a combined 13-4 score. They are 7-2 over their last 9 home games, and six of those wins were by multiple runs.

The Pale Hose lead the AL Central, but they have underperformed their 5.1 runs per game and 3.6 RPG allowed. So, peg Chicago’s .596 win percentage as underselling what could well be a .630 team. Mix in a quality starter in Rodon and a top-five bullpen (with a mostly available back end), and Chicago becomes a heavy lean.

With Gant perhaps too far over his skis with a 2.04 ERA (so is Rodon, but to a much lesser degree) and with a Redbird relief corps getting by with a .721 batting average on balls in play and a generous home run/fly ball rate, St. Louis becomes a fade in the equation. Early line movement has cut into some profitability on the money line.

BACK THE WHITE SOX -1.5 (+100).

Over/Under (O/U)

Fading both starters and the Cards’ bullpen makes for an Over lean but consider holding out for an evenly-priced 8 (-110) or PASS.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Sunday’s Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Chicago Cubs (23-22) meet the St. Louis Cardinals (26-19) Sunday in Busch Stadium for the rubber match of their three-game series at 8:15 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cubs vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Season series: Tied 1-1.

RHP Zach Davies makes his 10th start for the Cubs. Davies is 2-2 with a 5.58 ERA (40 1/3 IP, 25 ER), 1.76 WHIP, 4.9 BB/9 and 5.1 K/9 this season.

  • Last outing: No-decision in 5 IP with 3 ER, 7 H, 1 BB and 1 K in Chicago’s 6-3 win over the Washington Nationals Tuesday.
  • Career vs. the Cardinals: 2-3 with a 4.55 ERA (57 1/3 IP, 29 ER), 1.33 WHIP and 8.2 K/9 across 10 starts.
    • Vs. Cardinals on the current roster: 101 at-bats with a .376/.447/.634 slash line, 14/12 K/BB, 6 HR and 14 RBIs.

RHP Adam Wainwright gets his ninth start for the Cardinals. Wainwright is 2-4 with a 4.63 ERA (46 2/3 IP, 24 ER), 1.35 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 8.5 K/9 this season.

  • Last outing: Loss, 13-3, in 4 IP with 6 ER, 8 H, 3 BB and 2 K at the San Diego Padres on May 15.
  • Career vs. the Cubs: 17-13 with a 4.12 ERA (262 1/3 IP, 120 ER), 1.32 WHIP and 7.9 K/9 over 42 starts and nine bullpen outings.
    • Vs. Cubs on the current roster: 241 at-bats with a .249/.306/.411 slash line, 51/18 K/BB, 9 HR and 34 RBIs.

MLB betting offers/promotions

BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

  • Bet just $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run during the game. Bet now!
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Cubs at Cardinals odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 1:00 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cubs +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Cardinals -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cubs +1.5 (-175) | Cardinals -1.5 (+145)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)

Prediction

Cardinals 5, Cubs 2

Money line (ML)

PASS because I’m worried St. Louis’ bullpen is overworked and might not be able to hold onto a lead so I’m looking to play the Cardinals in the First 5 Innings. St. Louis used four relievers in its 2-1 win Saturday.

However, oddsmakers have noticed this plus the starting pitching edge the Cardinals have and priced them accordingly; St. Louis is laying -155 for the First 5 Innings.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

BET the CARDINALS -0.5 (-110) FIRST 5 INNINGS for 1 unit because Davies has gotten lit up by St. Louis throughout his career, and advanced metrics paint a pretty grim picture of Davies’ season thus far.

Davies’ advanced pitching numbers are even more dreadful than his basic ones. For instance, Davies has just a 9.5% strikeout rate, 8.36 FIP, .459 expected wOBA and .861 expected slugging percentage vs. St. Louis’ lineup.

Furthermore, Davies grades below the 50th percentile in all Statcast metrics including in the single-digit percentile for whiff rate, expected wOBA, K% and expected ERA.

And, again, because Chicago’s bullpen is better and fresher, we’re going to bet St. Louis’s sizable edge in the starting pitching department.

Over/Under (O/U)

BET the UNDER 8.5 (+100) for 1 unit because more than 95% of the money is on the Over (according to Pregame.com), and it’s more profitable in sports gambling to fade than follow this lopsided of a market.

Also, it would appear as though the market is robotically betting Over with two mediocre starting pitchers at best.

However, these teams have a combined 6-10 O/U record when these starters are on the mound, and the Under is 6-1-1 in the last eight Cubs-Cardinals meetings.

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Chicago Cubs (23-21) and St. Louis Cardinals (25-19) play the second of a three-game set Saturday at Busch Stadium with a 7:15 p.m. ET first pitch. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cubs vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Adbert Alzolay is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs. He is 2-3 with a 4.62 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 9.5 K/9 and 1.7 BB/9 over 37 IP through 7 starts.

Alzolay has struggled with the long ball recently. He had yielded just one homer in 16 innings over three starts from April 12-29. He has coughed up five homers in 16 innings in his three outings so far in the month of May.

RHP Miles Mikolas is the projected starting pitcher for the Cardinals. Mikolas is set to make his season debut, and his first appearance since the 2019 playoffs due to forearm and shoulder injuries.

Mikolas was 0-2 with a 1.85 ERA across four starts in 2019 against the Cubs, his last appearance against Chicago.

MLB betting offers/promotions

BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

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Cubs at Cardinals odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:30 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cubs -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Cardinals -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cubs -1.5 (+155) | Cardinals +1.5 (-190)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (Over -105 | Under -115)

Prediction

Cubs 6, Cardinals 5

Money line (ML)

The CUBS (-105) are short ‘dogs despite the fact they’re coming off an impressive 12-3 victory in the series opener on Friday night.

In addition, Chicago will be facing a pitcher who hasn’t pitched in the majors since Oct. 2019 during the postseason, as Mikolas missed the 2020 season due to a forearm injury, and the first seven weeks this season due to a shoulder ailment. There should be rust for Mikolas, and that works to the benefit of the visitors.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

The CARDINALS +1.5 (-190) isn’t a bad play if you want the home side and a little bit of insurance. I don’t like Mikolas in this one, and he’ll likely be on a pitch count.

However, I also don’t like the fact that Alzolay has been so giving in the home run department, so I think the Cards can certainly hang around here.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 8.5 (-105) is the play, again, because of the expected rust for Mikolas, as well as Alzolay’s penchant for serving up the long ball. The Over hit on Friday night, and it will hit again in this one.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Chicago Cubs (22-21) start a three-game set with the St. Louis Cardinals (25-18) Friday at Busch Stadium with an 8:15 p.m. ET first pitch. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cubs vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Chicago took three of four against the Washington Nationals Monday-Thursday but is just 5-5 in the last 10 games.

St. Louis won both of a two-game series vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates entering this series and has won six of the last 10 games.

RHP Kyle Hendricks is on the mound for the Cubs. Hendricks is 3-4 with a 5.27 ERA (42 2/3 IP, 25 ER), 1.55 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 across eight starts.

  • Last outing: Win, 5-1, in 8 IP with 1 ER, 8 H, 0 BB and 8 K at the Detroit Tigers Sunday.
  • Career vs. the Cardinals: 9-3 with a 2.88 ERA (128 IP, 41 ER), 1.06 WHIP and 6.8 K/9 over 20 starts.
    • Career at St. Louis’ ballpark: 4-1 with a 2.92 ERA (49 1/3 IP, 16 ER), 1.07 WHIP and 7.8 K/9 across eight starts.
    • Vs. Cardinals on the current roster: 238 at-bats with a .227/.278/.353 slash line, 48/13 K/BB, 5 HR and 15 RBIs.

RHP Carlos Martínez is the projected starter for the Cardinals. Martínez is 3-4 with a 4.35 ERA (41 1/3 IP, 20 ER) 1.16 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 4.8 K/9 over seven starts.

  • Last outing: Win, 9-8, in 5 IP with 5 ER, 6 H, 5 BB and 2 K vs. the Colorado Rockies May 8.
  • Career vs. the Cubs: 4-5 with a 4.69 ERA (111 1/3 IP, 58 ER), 1.46 WHIP and 9.1 K/9 across 16 starts and 20 relief appearances.
    • Vs. Cubs on the current roster: 222 at-bats with a .225/.311/.360 slash line, 63/25 K/BB, 7 HR and 26 RBIs.

MLB betting offers/promotions

BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

  • Bet just $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run during the game. Bet now!
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Cubs at Cardinals odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cubs -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Cardinals +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cubs -1.5 (+125) | Cardinals +1.5 (-155)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Prediction

Cubs 4, Cardinals 3

Money line (ML)

“LEAN” to the CUBS (-125) for a half unit because Chicago has a slight edge in the starting pitching matchup, hitting vs. right-handed pitching and there’s “reverse line movement” in Chicago’s direction.

For instance, both starters have spent several seasons with their teams and pitching in this Cubs-Cardinals generation-old rivalry.

However, Hendricks’ basic numbers and advanced pitching numbers are slightly better than Martinez’s vs. these respective lineups.

Also, I think Hendricks will start to pitch closer to his career norm because his exit velocity and hard-hit rates are still below the MLB average, but he has a .341 BAbip (.298 BAbip is league average).

Finally, according to Pregame.com, nearly 75% of the money wagered has been on the Cardinals yet the bookmakers are making the Cubs more expensive. It’s a red flag when the House makes the more popular side cheaper.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS because none of the run line prices, either for the full game or First 5 Innings, are enticing enough to sprinkle some cash on.

Hendricks hasn’t put back-to-back quality starts together once this whole season, and the Cubs have played in 16 one-run games already.

Over/Under (O/U)

“LEAN” to the UNDER 8.5 (-115) for a half unit as a fade of a market that has 91% of the money on the Over, according to Pregame.com.

The Cubs-Cardinals total opened at 7.5 and has been steamed up a run, but the pitchers’ familiarity with their opponents and the Under going 5-0-1 in their last six meetings also add to the “lean”.

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Tuesday’s Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (17-23) visit the St. Louis Cardinals (23-18) for a two-game series at Busch Stadium. Tuesday’s first pitch is slated for 7:45 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Pirates vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Season series: Cardinals lead 3-0 – they swept a three-game series in Pittsburgh April 30-May 2.

The NL Central rivals both had Monday off after returning from the West Coast. The Bucs are coming off a four-game split at the San Francisco Giants, while the Cardinals were swept in three at the San Diego Padres.

RHP JT Brubaker is projected to start for the Pirates Tuesday. Brubaker, who made his MLB debut last July, is 3-2 with a 2.58 ERA (38 1/3 IP, 11 ER), 1.12 WHIP, 9.6 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in 7 starts this season.

  • Last outing: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 7-2 home victory vs. Cincinnati Reds May 11
  • Career vs. Pirates: 0-1, 3.86 ERA (7 IP, 3 ER), 10 H, 0 BB, 11 K in 1 start and 1 relief appearance

RHP John Gant is the Cardinals’ projected starter. The six-year veteran is 2-3 with a 1.83 ERA (34 1/3 IP, 7 ER), 1.63 WHIP, 7.6 K/9 and 7.1 BB/9 in 7 starts. He is tied for the MLB lead with 27 walks.

  • Last outing: No-decision, 5 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 4 K at Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday – the Cardinals lost 4-1
  • Career vs. Pirates: 4-2, 3.93 ERA (34 1/3 IP, 15 ER), 1.34 WHIP, 7.9 K/9 in 5 starts and 12 relief appearances

MLB betting offers/promotions

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  • Bet just $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run during the game. Bet now!
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Pirates at Cardinals odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:05 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Pirates +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Cardinals -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Pirates +1.5 (-175) | Cardinals -1.5 (+145)
  • Over/Under: 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Prediction

Cardinals 5, Pirates 2

Money line (ML)

ST. LOUIS (-140) is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager. The Cardinals, who must be happy to return home after dropping three straight at the Padres, have had the Pirates’ number recently. They are 23-9 vs. the Pirates over the last three seasons: 3-0 this year, 6-4 in 2020 and 14-5 in 2019.

The Pirates rank last in runs scored per game (3.45), and they’ve hit the fewest home runs (26) among all 30 major-league teams.

These projected starters faced off April 30 in Pittsburgh with Gant coming out on top 7-3. Gant scattered 3 hits and 5 walks in allowing just 1 earned run with 2 strikeouts in 5 innings. Brubaker yielded 3 earned runs on 7 hits with 0 walks and 7 K’s over 5 innings in taking the loss.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

ST. LOUIS -1.5 (+145) is worth a HALF-UNIT wager. The Cardinals are the third-best team when it comes to covering the run line. They beat the Pirates by scores of 7-3, 12-5 and 3-0 in the three games at Pittsburgh earlier this season.

ATS records: Pirates 19-21 | Cardinals 25-16

Over/Under (O/U)

Back UNDER 7.5 (-105) to win a QUARTER UNIT. The Under is 1-6 in Gant’s 7 starts, while it’s 2-4 when Brubaker takes the hill.

The fear is the Cardinals are on a 3-0 Over run, and two of the three games in the earlier meeting in Pittsburgh cashed Over tickets.

O/U records: Pirates 17-21-2 | Cardinals 19-18-3

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

JOHNNY’S RECORD W-L SP ROI
2021 MLB 42-45-2 12-15-1 -7.695
2020 MLB 80-59-1 39-21 +24.79
2021 (all sports) 145-130-3 61-56-1 +5.855
*SP: Strongest plays; ROI: Return on investment

Follow @JohnnyParlay11 on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego Padres odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Sunday’s St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego Padres odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The San Diego Padres (23-17) go for a three-game sweep of the visiting St. Louis Cardinals (23-17) on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. First pitch at Petco Park is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cardinals vs. Padres odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Season series: Padres lead 2-0

Despite missing three key position players, San Diego took the first two games of this series – 5-4 Friday and 13-3 Saturday. SS Fernando Tatis Jr., RF Wil Myers 1B Eric Hosmer and utilitymen Jurickson Profar and Jorge Mateo have been unavailable due to COVID-19 issues.

St. Louis hopes LHP Kwang Hyun Kim will salvage the series and snap the club’s 2-game slide. He is 1-0 with a 2.74 ERA (23 IP, 7 ER), 1.26 WHIP, 9.4 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 in 5 starts this season.

  • Last outing: No-decision, 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K at Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday – Cardinals won 6-1 in 11 innings
  • Career vs. Padres: 0-0, 7.36 ERA (3 2/3 IP, 3 ER), 5 H, 2 BB, 2 K in 1 postseason start (Game 1 of 2020 NL Wild Card Series) – Cards won 7-4

LHP Ryan Weathers, who made his MLB debut in last year’s playoffs, is projected to start for the Friars. The 21-year-old rookie is 2-1 with an 0.81 ERA (22 1/3 IP, 2 ER), 0.72 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 3 starts and 5 relief appearances.

  • Last outing: Win, 3 IP in relief, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K at San Francisco Giants May 9 – Padres won 11-1
  • Career as starter: 0-0, 0.00 ERA (10 1/3 IP, 0 ER), 2 H, 4 BB, 9 K in 3 outings
  • Career vs. Cardinals: No appearances

MLB betting offers/promotions

BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

  • Bet just $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run during the game. Bet now!
  • RISK-FREE FIRST BET. Place your first bet, if it loses you’ll get up to $600 in free bets. Bet now!

Cardinals at Padres odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:20 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cardinals +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Padres -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cardinals +1.5 (-200) | Padres -1.5 (+165)
  • Over/Under: 7 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Prediction

Cardinals 4, Padres 3

Money line (ML)

ST. LOUIS (+105) is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager. The Cardinals are 5-0 in Kim’s starts this season. The South Korean southpaw allowed just 1 run in each of his last four starts.

It should be tough night for a depleted Padres lineup, which is missing Tatis, Myers and Hosmer.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS. While the Cardinals feature a majors-best ATS record, the -200 price on St. Louis +1.5 is too much chalk.

ATS records: Cardinals 25-15 | Padres 21-19

Over/Under (O/U)

AVOID as the projected score equals 7 runs.

The lean would be to the Over 7 (-110) the way this series has gone. Plus, the O/U is 3-0-1 in Kim’s starts this season  and 2-1 in Weather’s starts.

O/U records: Cardinals 18-18-3 | Padres 18-22

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

JOHNNY’S RECORD W-L SP ROI
2021 MLB 39-43-2 10-14-1 -8.895
2020 MLB 80-59-1 39-21 +24.79
2021 (all sports) 142-128-3 59-55-1 +4.655
*SP: Strongest plays; ROI: Return on investment

Follow @JohnnyParlay11 on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego Padres odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego Padres odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The St. Louis Cardinals (23-16) and San Diego Padres (22-17) play Game 2 of a three-game series Saturday at Petco Park. First pitch is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. ET (on FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cardinals vs. Padres odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Season series: Padres lead 1-0

Despite being without SS Fernando Tatis Jr., RF Wil Myers, 1B Eric Hosmer and utility players Jurickson Profar and Jorge Mateo due to COVID-19 issues, the Padres won Friday’s series opener 5-4.

RHP Adam Wainwright is projected to start for St. Louis. The 16-year veteran is 2-3 with a 3.80 ERA (42 2/3 IP, 18 ER), 1.22 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 7 starts this season.

  • Last outing: Win, 8 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 5 K in the Cardinals’ 2-0 home shutout of the Colorado Rockies Sunday.
  • Career vs. Padres (regular season): 7-4, 2.19 ERA (82 1/3 IP, 20 ER), 1.13 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 in 12 starts and 3 relief appearances.

RHP Chris Paddack is the Padres’ projected starter. He is 1-3 with a 4.78 ERA (26 1/3 IP, 14 ER), 1.41 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 through 6 starts.

  • Last outing: No-decision, 3 IP (due to a pitch-count limit after coming off the injured list), 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K at the San Francisco Giants Sunday – Padres won 11-1.
  • Career vs. Cardinals (regular season): 1-0, 0.93 ERA (9 2/3 IP, 1 ER), 3 H, 5 BB, 12 K in 2 starts in 2019.

MLB betting offers/promotions

BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

  • Bet just $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run during the game. Bet now!
  • RISK-FREE FIRST BET. Place your first bet, if it loses you’ll get up to $600 in free bets. Bet now!

Cardinals at Padres odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:35 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cardinals +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Padres -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cardinals +1.5 (-190) | Padres -1.5 (+155)
  • Over/Under: 7 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Prediction

Cardinals 4, Padres 2

Money line (ML)

ST. LOUIS (+110) is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager. Wainwright was spectacular in his last start, just missing a complete-game shutout by two outs.

Don’t let his 2021 road stats (0-1, 6.52 ERA, 9 2/3 IP, 7 ER) scare you away. They’re inflated due to a rough outing at the Cincinnati Reds (2 2/3 IP, 6 ER) in his season debut. He held the Washington Nationals to 1 earned run and struck out a season-high 10 batters over 7 innings in his other road start.

Sure, the Padres won Friday, but the odds are against them with Tatis, Myers and Hosmer out.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS. The Cardinals are tied with the San Francisco Giants for the majors’ best ATS record, but the -190 juice on St. Louis +1.5 is too high for my liking.

ATS records: Cardinals 25-14 | Padres 20-19

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 7 (-105) is worth a HALF-UNIT wager. The Under is 5-1 in Wainwright’s last six starts, and both clubs feature decent bullpens. San Diego relievers are first in the NL with a 2.73 ERA, while the Cardinals are sixth at 3.71.

O/U records: Cardinals 17-18-3 | Padres 17-22

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

JOHNNY’S RECORD W-L SP ROI
2021 MLB 39-41-2 10-13-1 -6.87
2020 MLB 80-59-1 39-21 +24.79
2021 (all sports) 142-126-3 59-54-1 +6.68
*SP: Strongest plays; ROI: Return on investment

Follow @JohnnyParlay11 on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego Padres odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego Padres odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

In a rematch of a 2020 NL Wild Card series, the St. Louis Cardinals (23-15) and San Diego Padres (21-17) open a three-game set Friday at Petco Park. First pitch is slated for 10:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cardinals vs. Padres odds with MLB picks and predictions.

During a mid-week series in which the Padres took 2 of 3 at the Colorado Rockies, San Diego lost 5 position players due to COVID-19 issues. Star SS Fernando Tatis Jr. and RF Wil Myers tested positive and were placed on the injured list, while 1B Eric Hosmer and utility players Jurickson Profar and Jorge Mateo also landed on the IL due to contact-tracing protocols.

None of the five are expected to play in this first regular-season meeting between the two NL contenders. The Padres won last year’s best-of-3 Wild Card Series by winning the final two games after dropping the opener.

The Padres had the day off Thursday, while the Cardinals shut out the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0 to take 2 of 3 to start their current 6-game road trip.

RHP Johan Oviedo is Friday’s projected starter for St. Louis. The Cuban native is 0-1 with a 4.61 ERA (13 2/3 IP, 7 ER), 1.02 WHIP, 8.6 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 2 starts and 1 relief appearance. Oviedo pitched Sunday for Class AAA Memphis and yielded 4 ER over 2 2/3 IP. This will be the first time he faces the Padres in his young career.

  • Last MLB outing: Loss, 4 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 2 K in the Cardinals’ 7-2 home loss to the New York Mets May 5.
  • 2021 as starter: 0-1, 7.00 ERA (9 IP, 7 ER), 8 H, 2 BB, 9 K in 2 outings.

RHP Joe Musgrove is expected to start for the Friars. He is 2-4 with a 3.00 ERA (39 IP, 13 ER), 0.85 WHIP, 12.5 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9 in 7 starts.

  • Last outing: Loss, 5 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 7 K in the Padres’ 7-1 defeat at the San Francisco Giants Saturday.
  • Career vs. Cardinals: 1-7, 5.92 ERA (48 2/3 IP, 32 ER), 1.38 WHIP, 10.7 K/9 in 9 starts.

MLB betting offers/promotions

BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

  • Bet just $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run during the game. Bet now!
  • RISK-FREE FIRST BET. Place your first bet, if it loses you’ll get up to $600 in free bets. Bet now!

Cardinals at Padres odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:30 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cardinals +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Padres -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cardinals +1.5 (-145) | Padres -1.5 (+120)
  • Over/Under: 7 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Prediction

Cardinals 5, Padres 4

Money line (ML)

ST. LOUIS (+150), which has won 5 of its last 6 games, is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager. Granted, the Cardinals will be throwing an inexperienced starting pitcher, but the value is there since the Padres are without Tatis, Myers and Hosmer.

Plus, since Musgrove tossed the Padres’ first no-hitter in franchise history – in his second start of the season April 9 to improve to 2-0 – he is 0-4 with a 4.88 ERA (24 IP, 13 ER) in 5 starts.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS. The Cardinals have the majors’ second-best ATS record, but I have no interest in laying the -145 juice on St. Louis +1.5.

The alternate line of -1.5 (+260) is tempting but AVOID with Oviedo getting the start.

ATS records: Cardinals 24-14 | Padres 20-18

Over/Under (O/U)

Back OVER 7 (-105) to win a QUARTER UNIT because neither starting pitcher is worthy of an Under play. PASS if the line climbs above 7.

O/U records: Cardinals 16-18-3 | Padres 16-22

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

JOHNNY’S RECORD W-L SP ROI
2021 MLB 38-40-2 10-12-1 -5.62
2020 MLB 80-59-1 39-21 +24.79
2021 (all sports) 141-125-3 59-53-1 +7.93
*SP: Strongest plays; ROI: Return on investment

Follow @JohnnyParlay11 on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]