The St. Louis Cardinals and the Cleveland Guardians meet Friday in MLB action from Progressive Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Guardians vs Cardinals Prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The St. Louis Cardinals will send out Sonny Gray for the start here, and Gray is 7-2 with a 3.72 ERA and 90 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against the Guardians, Gray is 0-2 with a 4.39 ERA and 18 strikeouts. Luis Ortiz will get the start for the Guardians here and is 4-8 with a 4.30 ERA and 91 strikeouts this season. In his career, Ortiz is 0-2 with a 10.50 ERA and 13 strikeouts.
St. Louis Cardinals Recap
The St. Louis Cardinals come into this game looking to rebound from their 3-0 loss at the hands of the Chicago Cubs last time out to sit at 44-38 on the year. After this series, the Cardinals will head on the road for a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cardinals Drop Back-To-Back Games
Brendan Donovan has a team-high 87 hits along with 21 doubles, 5 home runs, and 29 RBIs, while Lars Nootbaar has 67 hits with 11 home runs, 35 RBIs, 13 doubles, and 4 stolen bases. Nolan Arenado also has 70 hits with 11 doubles, 10 home runs, and 39 RBIs of his own, and Victor Scott II has 55 hits with 8 doubles, a triple, 24 RBIs, and a team-high 22 stolen bases. Willson Contreras has also chipped in 70 hits with 18 doubles, 10 home runs, and 50 RBIs of his own this season. Masyn Winn added 68 hits with 14 doubles, 7 home runs, and 29 RBIs, and Alec Burleson added 71 hits with 12 doubles, 9 home runs, and 33 RBIs.
Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win
- The Cardinals have won eight of their last nine road games against AL Central opponents following a loss.
- The Guardians have lost each of their last four night games against NL Central opponents.
- The road team has covered the run line in eight of the Guardians’ last nine games.
- The Guardians have failed to cover the run line each of their last three games against teams that held a winning record.
St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts
- Brendan Donovan has recorded at least one Double in four of the Cardinals’ last five road games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
- Alec Burleson has hit a home run in three of the Cardinals’ last four road games against AL Central opponents.
- Sonny Gray has recorded a win in seven of his last eight appearances with the Cardinals as favorites against AL opponents.
- Sonny Gray has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last 10 appearances with his team as a favorite against AL opponents.
- Willson Contreras has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cardinals’ last nine games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
- Victor Scott II ranks T4th in the league in Steals (22) this season.
Cleveland Guardians Recap
The Cleveland Guardians come into this game looking to rebound from their 6-0 loss at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays to slip to 40-39 on the year. After this series, the Guardians will head on the road for a series against the Chicago Cubs.
Guardians Split Last Ten Games
Steven Kwan has 90 hits as part of a .306 batting average and 6 home runs, 18 doubles, and 24 RBIs. Kyle Manzardo has 51 hits with 11 doubles, 2 triples, 12 home runs, and 32 RBIs as well this year. Gabriel Arias has 17 doubles but also 86 strikeouts, and Manzardo has 66 strikeouts so far this season. Arias has also added 5 home runs and 29 RBIs, and Jose Ramirez has chipped in 13 home runs and 38 RBIs. Carlos Santana has also added 61 hits with 9 home runs and 37 RBIs this season.
Why the Cleveland Guardians will win
- The Cardinals have lost each of their last six games as road favorites following a home loss.
- The Guardians have won four of their last five games as home underdogs against NL Central opponents.
- The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line each of their last seven games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the last seven games between the Cardinals and Guardians.
Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts
- Lane Thomas has hit a home run in three of the Guardians’ last four home games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Nolan Jones has recorded a Double in four of his five previous appearances with his team as an underdog against the Cardinals.
- Jose Ramirez has recorded at least one hit in each of the Guardians’ last 15 home games against NL opponents that held a winning record.
- Steven Kwan ranks T10th in the league in Hits (90) this season.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Cardinals’ last 10 night games against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Seven of the Guardians’ last eight games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Guardians vs Cardinals Prediction
I’m on the Cardinals here. I get the case to be made for the Guardians as a home underdog, but they’ve really been scuffling offensively. While Gray’s been far better at home, I still think he’s one of the better options that the Cardinals have going right now. The Guardians need to show me that their offense is back before I trust them. Give me the Cards.