In this article we will formulate a Cardinals vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, March 28th at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
The St. Louis Cardinals are 1-0 this season after they won game one by a score of 9-7 on Thursday afternoon. St. Louis led 1-0 in the third inning, but they needed an eight run sixth inning to retake the lead and get the win. The Cardinals recorded 14 hits in the game and they were led by Wetherholt, Burleson, Gorman, and Church, who all had two RBIs. Liberatore allowed seven hits and one earned run over 5.0 innings in the no decision, while O’Brien got the win and Stanek picked up the save.
Last season, St. Louis had a 4.29 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and a .259 opponent batting average, while they scored 689 runs with a .245 batting average and a .314 on base percentage. Wilson Contreras (now with Boston) led the team with 20 home runs and 80 RBIs, while Alec Burleson added 18 home runs and 69 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for St. Louis is Michael McGreevy, who went 8-4 with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP over 95.2 innings pitched last season.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 0-1 this year after they had a heartbreaking loss in game one on Thursday. Tampa Bay led 7-1 in the sixth inning, but they fell apart on the mound and allowed eight runs in the bottom of the sixth for the loss. The Rays recorded 17 hits and they committed two errors, while they were led by Aranda and DeLuca, who both had two RBIs in the game. Rasmussen allowed four hits and one earned run over 5.0 innings in the no decision, while Seymour allowed five earned runs without recording an out in relief and Cleavinger was charged with the loss.
Last season, Tampa Bay had a 3.94 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and a .237 opponent batting average, while they scored 714 runs with a .251 batting average and a .313 on base percentage. Junior Caminero led TB with 45 home runs and 110 RBIs, while Yandy Diaz added 25 home runs and 83 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Joe Boyle, who went 1-4 with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP over 52.0 innings pitched last year.
Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win
- The Rays have lost 11 of their last 12 road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The home team has won seven of the Rays’ last eight games.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine day games following a loss.
- The home team has covered the run line in each of the Cardinals’ last five games.
- The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in seven of their last eight road games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four games at Busch Stadium.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Cardinals have lost each of their last 10 day games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
- The Rays have won 12 of their last 15 day games against National League opponents following a loss.
- The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine day games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Cardinals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four day games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
Total Runs Facts
- Five of the Cardinals’ last six games against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Four of the Rays’ last five games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Cardinals’ last eight games against American League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in four of the Rays’ last five day games.
St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts
- Alec Burleson has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances in day games against AL teams that held a losing record.
- Masyn Winn has recorded a Double in each of the Cardinals’ last four home games against the Rays.
- Ramon Urias has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances in day games.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Yandy Diaz has hit a home run in three of his last eight appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Taylor Walls has recorded a Double in three of his last four road appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
- Gavin Lux has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven road appearances.
Cardinals vs Rays Prediction
Both teams had plenty of chances to win game one on Thursday, but St. Louis was able to complete the crazy comeback for the win. The Cardinals will start McGreevy, who pitched well last season and they will hope the offense shows up once again. The Rays are going with Boyle, who had a 4.67 ERA last season in limited action, and I could see the Cardinals having another big day here. Take the over in this one.