Atlanta Braves (90-47) vs St. Louis Cardinals (60-78)
2023-09-06 19:20:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Atlanta Braves -270 / St. Louis Cardinals +238 --- Over/Under: 8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves meet in game two of their three-game set from Truist Park on Wednesday.
Cardinals Steal Win On Tuesday
The St. Louis Cardinals managed to pick up a big win over the Braves in Tuesday’s series opener, ending up with a 10-6 win over the Braves. The win brought St. Louis to 60-78 on the year, sitting 17 games back in the basement of the NL Central and 11.5 games back in the NL Wild Card hunt. Nolan Arenado leads the Cardinals with 26 home runs, 87 RBIs and a .269 batting average while Paul Goldschmidt has a team-high 144 hits, a .275 batting average and 26 doubles this season. Tommy Edman also has a team-high 4 triples this season. Dakota Hudson will start for the Cardinals here and is 5-1 with a 4.02 ERA and 33 strikeouts this season.
St. Louis Cardinals Team Facts
– The Cardinals have lost each of their last six games against National League opponents following a road win.
– The Cardinals have covered the run line in 12 of their last 13 games as road underdogs following a win.
– The Cardinals have led after 3 innings in each of their last three games.
– The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cardinals’ last three games as underdogs.
Braves Fall Flat In Tuesday’s Opener
The Atlanta Braves had their chances to get themselves another win over a down Cardinals team, but ultimately couldn’t get the job done in Tuesday’s loss. The loss dropped the Braves to 90-47 on the year, but still well in the lead in the NL East. Ronald Acuna Jr. leads the Braves with 184 hits and a .332 batting average along with 63 stolen bases to lead MLB in that category. Acuna Jr. also has 31 homers and 84 RBIs while Matt Olson leads the Braves with 45 home runs and 114 RBIs this season. Austin Riley’s chipped in 33 homers, while Eddie Rosario, Ozzie Albies, Sean Murphy and Marcell Ozuna make up the other four Braves bats with 20+ HR so far this season. Spencer Strider will get the start for the Braves here and is 16-4 with a 3.56 ERA and 245 strikeouts this season.
Atlanta Braves Team Facts
– The Braves have won each of their last 15 home games against NL Central opponents following a home loss.
– The road team has covered the run line in each of the last four games between the Cardinals and Braves.
– The Braves have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last seven games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
– The Braves have won the first inning in each of their last three home games against NL Central opponents.
– The Braves have trailed after 7 innings in six of their last seven games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
– The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for runs scored this season (795).
– The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for hits this season (1293).
– The St. Louis Cardinals ranks 1st in the league for home runs allowed this season (142).
– The St. Louis Cardinals ranks 29th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.276).
Chris’ Pick
I’m siding with the Braves here. This is a massive price, but I think it’s warranted as the Cardinals have been and continue to be one of the league’s biggest disappointment and it just feels like St. Louis is just counting down the days for the season to end. Atlanta’s trying to round into form with the playoffs just around the corner. I think Strider’s the main difference here and I look for the Braves to get a cover on the -1.5 run line.
