In this article, we will formulate a Cardinals vs Astros prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, April 15, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Houston Astros Betting Preview
The Houston Astros (7-9, 3-4 Away) have been inconsistent early in the season. Believe it or not, the Astros still didn’t record two straight wins but managed to win three series since the start as they beat the Mets, Twins, and Angels. Houston lost 8-3 in Game 1 of the current series against the Cardinals. Jeremy Pena hit a three-run homer in the 9th, but that was all from the Astros, while Framber Valdez took the loss after allowing seven runs (six earned) on ten hits with three strikeouts and one walk in 4.0 innings.
This year, the Astros average 4.00 runs per game (18th in the MLB) on a .219/.309/.320 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Astros’ staff has a 3.69 ERA (13th) and 1.06 WHIP (3rd). Isaac Paredes leads the Astros with a .262 batting average, three home runs, and nine RBI this season.
Hunter Brown will take the mound for the Astros on Tuesday. The 26-year-old right-hander has a 1-1 record in three starts this season with a 2.00 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in 18.0 innings.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
The St. Louis Cardinals (8-8, 7-3 Home) were on a four-game losing skid, but they responded with four wins in six games. The Cards won the series against the Phillies and opened this one against the Astros with an 8-3 victory. Nolan Arenado and Pedro Pages led the team with two RBI apiece, while Sonny Gray got the win after allowing no runs on three hits with four strikeouts and one walk over 7.0 innings of work.
This season, the Cardinals average 5.47 runs per game (3rd in the MLB) on a .280/.350/.435 slash line. Regarding pitching, the Cardinals’ staff has a 4.48 ERA (23rd) and 1.20 WHIP (10th). Ivan Herrera leads the Cardinals with a .381 batting average, four home runs, and 11 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Cardinals is Erick Fedde, who has a 1-1 record in three starts this year with a 4.20 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 15.0 innings.
Total Runs Facts
- Seven of the Cardinals’ last eight night games after playing the previous day have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Six of the Astros’ last seven games as favorites have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the Astros’ last 10 games as favorites against National League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Cardinals’ last six games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cardinals rank 2nd in the league for hits this season (166).
- The Cardinals rank 3rd in the league for runs scored this season (90).
- The Astros rank 4th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.203).
- The Astros rank 26th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.321).
Cardinals vs Astros Prediction
The Astros won six of the previous ten H2H encounters, including four of the last six. Hunter Brown posted three quality starts this season, and I think he can get another one on Tuesday. I do believe the Cardinals will score two or three runs off Brown, but I am more concerned about Fedde, who could struggle here. Fedde shut the Pirates out in his previous start, but that’s not going to happen against the Astros. The Cardinals are 10-5 Over/Under this season, and I am going with another Over.