The Toronto Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals meet Thursday to open a 3-game series at Busch Stadium. First pitch in the Opening Day contest is slated for 4:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jays vs. Cardinals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting of 2023. The teams split 4 games in 2022.
Toronto went 92-70 to finish 7 games behind the New York Yankees for the 2022 AL East flag. The Blue Jays started fast (14-8) and finished strong (22-11), but were a just above-average team in between.
The Cardinals won the NL Central, going 93-69 last season. Fifty-three of those 93 wins came at home. Overall, St. Louis averaged 4.77 runs per game while allowing 3.93.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
[betwidget_tipico]
Blue Jays at Cardinals projected starters
RHP Alek Manoah vs. RHP Miles Mikolas
Manoah went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA last season. He posted a 0.99 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 in 196 2/3 IP.
- Had some minor road struggles in his 2021 rookie season but remedied those in 2022 when he clocked a 2.07 ERA, 1.06 WHIP south of the border
- Owns a sparkling 1.90 ERA over 10 career starts in April and May
In 2022, Mikolas notched a 12-13 record with a 3.29 ERA 1.03 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 in 202 1/3 IP.
- Had a 4.10 ERA on the road in 2022, but was dialed in to the tune of a 2.38 mark at Busch Stadium
- Allowed 1 ER in 18 combined innings in spring training and in the World Baseball Classic
Blue Jays at Cardinals odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:29 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Blue Jays -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Cardinals -105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays -1.5 (+145) | Cardinals +1.5 (-170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a Draft Prep or full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 4/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!
Blue Jays at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 4, Cardinals 3
Moneyline
Peg these as solid numbers for this pitching matchup between these 2 likely playoff contenders. The righty-righty matchup and the way bullpens match up against top right-handed bats plays a bit in Toronto’s favor. Would consider the Jays more if they were priced at -110 or better. Otherwise …
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
No lean either way. St. Louis figures to be solid at home, but the Blue Jays have been a good road club.
AVOID.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
The Cardinal offense came out of the gate slowly last season (.661 OPS in March/April) and figures to be on its weak platoon side against a righty starter. With this mound matchup (and both starters having pitched well in spring training) and both bullpens being a square 1, figure on a low-scoring affair. TAKE THE UNDER 7.5 (-110).
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Plus, try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator and please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]
