In this article, we will formulate a Cardinals vs Rays Prediction for this MLB game on Friday, August 22nd at the George M. Steinbrenner Field in the opening game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays have a 61-67 record this season and are sitting on the 4th place of the AL East. The Rays have a 32-33 home record and are 54-67 in over/under. They are coming off a 4-7 home defeat by the Cardinals, and have four consecutive losses. Over is 8-2 in their last 10 games and are playing the Guardians and the Nationals next.
The Rays have a .250 batting average this season, .313 OBP and .306 slugging percentage. Tampa’s pitching staff has a 4.01 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Yandy Diaz leads the Rays with 135 hits, while Jonathan Aranda is the team’s best hitter with .316 batting average. Junior Caminero leads the team in RBI, with 86 and in home runs, with 35.
Adrian Houser (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Rays, and he has a 6-4 record, 2.67 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.
Saint Louis Cardinals Preview
The Saint Louis Cardinals have a 64-65 record this season and are sitting on the 4th place of the NL Central. The Cardinals have a 29-35 road record and are 65-57 in over/under They are coming off a 7-4 road victory over the Rays, and are 3-1 in their last 4 games. Over is 5-0-1 in their last 6 games and are playing the Pirates and the Reds next.
The Cardinals have a .250 batting average this season, .318 OBP and .386 Slugging percentage. Saint Louis’ pitching staff has a 4.25 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Brendan Donovan leads the Cardinals with 118 hits, while Alec Burleson is the team’s best hitter with a .285 batting average. Wilson Contreras leads the team in RBI, with 68, adding a team-high 18 home runs.
Miles Mikolas (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cardinals, and he has a 6-9 record, 4.99 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Rays have won each of their last eight games as favorites against National League opponents following a home loss.
- The Cardinals have lost seven of their last eight road games following a win.
- The Rays have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against National League opponents following a home loss.
- The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight road games following a win.
- The Cardinals have lost the first inning in nine of their last 10 night games against American League opponents.
- The Cardinals have trailed after 3 innings in nine of their last 11 road games against opponents that held a losing record.
- The Cardinals have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six games as underdogs against American League opponents.
Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win
- The Cardinals have won each of their last seven road games against American League opponents.
- The Rays have lost four of their last five games as home favorites.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 games as home favorites after playing the previous day.
- The Cardinals have covered the run line each of their last six night games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
- The Rays have lost the first inning in three of their last four night games at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
- The Cardinals have led after 3 innings in each of their last seven road games against American League opponents.
- The Cardinals have led after 5 innings in each of their last seven games against the Rays.
Total Runs Facts
- Thirteen of the Rays’ last 14 home games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Seven of the Cardinals’ last eight night games against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the Cardinals’ last 10 night games against American League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last five night games at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rays rank 1st in the league for steals this season (164).
- The Rays are one of only three teams in the league to rank top 10 in both strikeouts and walks allowed this season.
- The Cardinals rank 30th in the league for triples this season (5).
- The Cardinals rank 29th in the league for strikeouts this season (945).
Cardinals vs Rays Prediction
The Cardinals are 5-1 in their last 6 meetings against the Rays, and have won their last three visits in Tampa Bay. Under is 5-3 in their last 8 meetings.
In this Cardinals vs Rays Prediction, the Rays are coming as -140 home favorites. I’m om the Rays in this one, as House has been amazing at home, with a 1.38 home ERA, and he is coming off a shutout start against the Giants. On the flip side, Mikolas has been weaker on the road with a 6.47 road ERA, and he is up against a Rays offense that is much more efficient against right-handed pitching. Take the Tampa Bay Rays to get the job done at home in this one.