The Atlanta Braves are set to take on the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. This NL matchup will get underway at 2:15 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to Fox Sports Midwest to catch the action.
Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals Odds
Vegas has listed St. Louis (-110) as the favorite over Atlanta (+100). The total sits at 9 runs and bettors can wager on the over for even money (+100) and the under for -120. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds standing at -210 for the Braves +1.5 runs and +175 for the Cardinals -1.5.
The Cardinals are 42-39 straight up (SU) and 39-41 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 6.2 units for moneyline bettors and 4.0 units (ATS). St. Louis has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven. On the other hand, the Braves are 47-34 SU and have gone 43-36 ATS. Overall, the team’s accumulated 15.1 units for moneyline gamblers and 6.7 units ATS. Atlanta’s covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
St. Louis games have had an over/under record of 32-44-4 so far in 2018. The Braves have an over/under record of 38-37-4.
Mike Foltynewicz is getting the nod for the visiting Braves. The right-handed Foltynewicz (5-4, 2.14 ERA) has racked up 98 strikeouts in 83 innings so far. This is his first outing against St. Louis this year. He did make two starts against the team in 2017, putting together a 0-2 record with a 17.55 ERA and five strikeouts.
The Cardinals are turning to righty John Gant (2-2, 3.48 ERA), who’s got 32 strikeouts and 14 walks to his credit as well as a WHIP of 1.13. Gant did not record a start against the Braves in 2017.
Atlanta’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.35 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 8.66 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.18, along with a K/9 of 8.98.
Braves hitters have slashed .262/.332/.426 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game in 2018, including 6.3 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Atlanta’s hitters have been paced by right fielder Nick Markakis and first baseman Freddie Freeman, who have already combined to drive in 110 runs. Markakis is slashing .326/.391/.492 with nine home runs, 56 RBIs and 49 runs scored, while Freeman has a .316 average with 15 homers, 54 RBIs and 52 runs scored.
For the home team, St. Louis’ pitchers have yielded 4.2 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have an ERA of 3.46, a WHIP of 1.25 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.1. The bullpen has a 4.13 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8.7 K/9.
St. Louis’ hitters are putting up 4.3 runs per outing, including 3.9 per game over its last 10 games and 4.2 per game over their last five. The team has hit .259/.317/.404 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Left fielder Marcell Ozuna and first baseman Jose Martinez have led the way for the Cardinals’ batters this year. Ozuna is hitting .285/.330/.419 with 10 home runs, 44 RBIs and 32 runs scored, and Martinez’s line is .300/.368/.500 with 13 homers, 52 RBIs and 35 runs scored.
The Braves have gained 11.3 units and are 31-23 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 23 of those games, compared to 27 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Cardinals have lost 1.9 units and are 30-31 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 23 of those games, compared to 34 that went under.
Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cardinals, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The under has hit in only two of Atlanta’s last seven games.
Atlanta has recorded 28.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 26.6 over its last five.
The Braves have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games. The Cardinals have hit 11 over their last 10.
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