Braves vs Cardinals Prediction 7/2/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Braves vs Cardinals prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, July 2nd at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Atlanta Braves Betting Preview

The Atlanta Braves are 50-34 this year after they split the first two games in this series by scores of 3-5 and 5-1. In game two, Atlanta tied the game at one in the first inning, took the lead in the third, and pulled away in the eighth for the win. The Braves recorded six hits in the game and they were led by Albies, who went 2-4 with one home run and two RBIs. Lopez allowed two hits and one earned run over 5.0 innings for the win, while Lee picked up a hold. Prior to this series, Atlanta lost two out of three against the Giants and all three against the Padres. 

This season, Atlanta has a 3.40 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and a .224 opponent batting average, while they have scored 398 runs with a .246 batting average and a .311 on base percentage. Matt Olson has led the Braves with 20 home runs and 52 RBIs, while Drake Baldwin has added 14 home runs and 39 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Atlanta is Hurston Waldrep, who is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 3.00 WHIP over 2.0 innings pitched this year. 

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals are 44-39 this season after they lost game two by a score of 1-5 on Wednesday night. St. Louis led 1-0 in the first inning, but they went scoreless over the last eight innings for the loss. The Cardinals recorded two hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by Walker, who went 1-3 with one RBI. McGreevy allowed three hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings for the loss, while Graceffo allowed one earned run in relief. Prior to this series, St. Louis lost two out of three against the Marlins and two out of three against the Diamondbacks. 

This season, St. Louis has a 4.24 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP and a .254 opponent batting average, while they have scored 368 runs with a .244 batting average and a .321 on base percentage. Jordan Walker has led the Cardinals with 18 home runs and 59 RBIs, while Alec Burleson has added 13 home runs and 57 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for St. Louis is Dustin May, who is 5-6 with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP over 83.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Atlanta Braves will win

• The Cardinals have lost each of their last five night games following a loss.
• The Braves have won five of their last six home games after playing the previous day.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 games after playing the previous day.
• The Braves have covered the run line in five of their last six night games against NL Central opponents.
• The Braves have led after 5 innings in three of their last four night games against the Cardinals.
• The Cardinals have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three games as road underdogs.

Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win

• The Cardinals have won each of their last five games as road underdogs against NL East opponents following a loss.
• The Braves have lost three of their last four games as favorites after playing the previous day.
• The Braves have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games as favorites against the Cardinals following a win.
• The Cardinals have covered the run line in each of their last seven games as underdogs against the Braves following a loss.
• The Braves have trailed after 5 innings in six of their last eight home games.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Braves’ last six games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Ten of the Cardinals’ last 11 games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Cardinals’ last seven Thursday games against National League opponents.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in eight of the Braves’ last 10 night games against NL Central opponents.

Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts

• Austin Riley has hit a home run in five of his last 11 appearances against the Cardinals after playing the previous day.
• Austin Riley has recorded at least one hit in 15 of his last 16 appearances against the Cardinals after playing the previous day.
• Matt Olson ranks T9th in the league in Home Runs (20) this season.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Dustin May has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last five appearances against NL opponents.
• Jordan Walker has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine Thursday appearances.
• Nelson Velazquez has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances with the Cardinals as underdogs against NL opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Braves rank 3rd in the league for ERA this season (3.40).
• The Braves rank 3rd in the league for opponent batting average this season (.224).
• The Cardinals rank 28th in the league for doubles this season (115).
• The Cardinals rank 3rd in the league for strikeouts against this season (642).

Braves vs Cardinals Prediction

Atlanta snapped their losing streak with a win on Wednesday night, but they have scored three runs or fewer in four of their last five games. The Braves are 25-15 at home this year, while the Cardinals are 21-18 on the road. St. Louis has lost three of their last five games and they have scored two runs or fewer in four of their last five. The Cardinals are starting May, who has allowed 6, 0, 0, 3, and 1 earned runs in his last five starts, while Waldrep is making just his second appearance since coming off of the IL. I don’t love this pitching matchup, but I will fade May after his last rough outing. Take the Braves here.