The ice-cold Atlanta Braves will try to avoid losing their fifth consecutive game when they play host to the St. Louis Cardinals at SunTrust Park. The opening pitch is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Southeast will broadcast this NL showdown.
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves Odds
Both teams have equal moneyline odds (-105) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this game at 8.5 runs (-115 for the over and -105 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds coming in at Cardinals -1.5 runs (+140) and Braves +1.5 runs (-160).
The Cardinals are 84-68 SU and are 79-72 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t moved the needle a whole lot this year, gaining 3.7 units for moneyline gamblers and 6.5 units ATS. St. Louis is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Braves, on the other hand, are 83-68 SU and 76-73 ATS. The team has gained 17.8 units for moneyline bettors while earning 0.8 units ATS. Atlanta has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven outings and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Atlanta games have an over/under record of 71-72-6 in 2018. St. Louis has an over/under record of 70-75-6.
Right-hander Jack Flaherty is the probable starter for the visiting Cardinals. Flaherty (8-7, 2.86 ERA) has racked up 168 strikeouts in 138.1 innings so far. He has yet to face the Braves this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Braves are turning to righty Touki Toussaint (1-1, 4.67 ERA), who has 15 strikeouts and 13 walks as well as a WHIP of 1.33. Toussaint did not record any MLB pitching stats last season.
Atlanta’s pitchers have given up 4.1 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The club’s starters have a 3.57 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.17 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 8.9 K/9.
Atlanta’s offense has put up 4.7 runs per contest, including 4.6 per game over its last 10 games and 4.4 per game over its last five. The team has hit .235/.330/.365 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that span.
Outfielder Nick Markakis and first baseman Freddie Freeman have led the Braves’ offense this year. Markakis is hitting .306/.371/.457 with 14 home runs, 92 RBIs and 77 runs scored, while Freeman is hitting .307 with 22 homers, 89 RBIs and 91 runs scored.
In the visiting dugout, St. Louis’ pitching staff allowed 4.2 runs per game and its starters own a 3.43 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 8.18 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.34, along with a WHIP of 1.25.
Cardinals hitters have slashed .249/.324/.412 on their way to 4.7 runs scored per game this year, including 6.2 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Outfielder Marcell Ozuna and first baseman Jose Martinez continue to lead St. Louis’ offense. Ozuna is slashing .281/.325/.438 with 22 home runs, 84 RBIs and 67 runs scored, while Martinez (.302/.361/.452) is up to 16 homers, 80 RBIs and 59 runs scored.
The Cardinals have gained 1.4 units and are 57-51 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 45 of those games, compared to 58 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 19.1 units and are 58-48 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 49 of those games, compared to 52 that’ve cashed the under.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Atlanta Braves Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
St. Louis has logged 14 extra-base hits over its last five games. Atlanta has 13 XBH over its last five.
Each team has swatted 10 home runs over its last 10 outings.
Atlanta has averaged 21.8 runs + hits + errors over its last 10 outings and 20.4 over its last five.
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