Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals odds, picks and predictions
The Atlanta Braves (43-33) take on the St. Louis Cardinals (40-37) Wednesday in the finale of a 3-game set at Busch Stadium at 7:15 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Braves vs. Cardinalsodds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cards lead 1-0; Tuesday's game was rained out and will be made up as part of a doubleheader at 1:45 p.m. ET Wednesday (had not yet been decided at press time)
After storms foiled Tuesday night's game, the Braves had an extra 24 hours of bitterness following the 4-3 loss Monday night. Atlanta made things interesting in the 9th when Cards closer Ryan Helsley allowed 2 ER on 2 H and 2 BB before shutting the door. The Braves are 7-3 over their last 10 games.
The Cards caught a break when the Braves pushed back LHP Chris Sale to Thursday. He will not pitch in this game as originally scheduled. The Cards also switched things up, bumping RHP Andre Pallante from the afternoon game. They'll go with a bullpen game, starting LHP Matthew Liberatore initially. Entering Wednesday, INF/OF Brendan Donovan has hit safely in 8 straight games and has an RBI in 7 straight games. The Cards are 7-3 over their last 10 games.
Braves at Cardinals projected starters
RHP Bryce Elder vs. LHP Matthew Liberatore
Elder (1-2, 6.46 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.94 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 through 23 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 3 IP, 6 ER, 9 H, 3 BB, 3 K in 9-1 home defeat May 19 vs. San Diego Padres
- 1 career start vs. St. Louis: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 6 K in 5-2 road victory April 5, 2023
Liberatore (1-2, 4.46 ERA) makes his 5th start and 27th appearance. He has a 1.25 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 6.6 K/9 through 38 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 3 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K in 4-3 loss June 19 at Miami Marlins
- Starter/reliever splits: As a starter - 0-1, 7.24 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 6.6 K/9 in 13 2/3 IP vs. as a reliever - 1-1, 2.92 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 6.6 K/9 in 24 2/3 IP
- 2 appearances (1 start) vs. Braves: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 8.4 K/9 in 5 1/3 IP
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Braves at Cardinals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:41 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Braves -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Cardinals -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves -1.5 (+145) | Cardinals +1.5 (-175)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Braves at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Braves 7, Cardinals 3
Moneyline
The Cards have a solid bullpen, but it's more about the last 3 guys, as the middle relief has been pretty meh. The Braves scored 3 runs in 3 straight games entering today, and their bats are due for a breakout.
I love the BRAVES -115 at this price.
Run line/Against the spread
Liberatore is great against lefties with a .135/.167/.212 slash line. However, righties blister him to a .310/.394/.548 slash line this season. You know who is right-handed? Braves 3B Austin Riley is, and he homered Monday night. Props were not available at press time, but when they are, take AUSTIN RILEY OVER 1.5 H+R+RBI.
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Over/Under
The wind is slated to be blowing in from left-center at 9 mph, but it's also expected to be super humid after the rain passed through. Those 2 factors should counteract each other, and Liberatore gave up 2 homers to his first 2 batters in his last start. He's just not a good starter at this level. So I'm taking the OVER 8.5 (-115) as the Braves bats awaken.
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