Philadelphia Phillies vs St. Louis Cardinals Prediction 8/21/26 MLB Picks Today

The St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies meet Friday in MLB action from Citizens Bank Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies prediction.

Starting Pitching Matchup

The St. Louis Cardinals did not have a starting pitcher announced at the time that this article was posted. Jesus Luzardo will start for the Phillies here and is 11-5 with a 3.23 ERA and 185 strikeouts this season.

 St. Louis Cardinals Recap

The St. Louis Cardinals come into this game looking to add on to their 10-9 win over Cincinnati last time out to improve to 66-63 this season. After this series, the Cardinals will take on the Orioles in a series at home.

Cardinals Alternate Wins & Losses In 5 Straight

Jordan Walker has 140 hits, 28 doubles, 26 home runs and 94 RBIs while Alec Burleson has 141 hits with 33 doubles, 21 home runs and 93 RBIs. JJ Wetherholt has 116 hits with 16 home runs and 46 RBIs while Ivan Herrera has 117 hits with 23 doubles, 14 home runs and 53 RBIs. Masyn Winn’s added 103 hits with 19 doubles and 51 RBIs and Nathan Church has 77 hits with 9 home runs and 41 RBIs this season.

Philadelphia Phillies Recap

The Philadelphia Phillies come into this game looking to add on to a 4-1 win over the Miami Marlins last time out to sit at 70-58 this season. After this series, the Phillies will head on the road for a series against the Seattle Mariners.

Phillies Win 6 In A Row

Kyle Schwarber has 111 hits with 15 doubles, 37 home runs and 74 RBIs. Brandon Marsh has 122 hits with 17 doubles, 17 home runs and 54 RBIs while Justin Crawford also has 93 hits with 17 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs and 31 RBIs. Trea Turner has 125 hits with 22 doubles, 17 home runs and 49 RBIs and Bryce Harper’s added 116 hits with 23 doubles, 25 home runs and 72 RBIs this season.

St. Louis Cardinals @ Philadelphia Phillies Betting Trends: August 21, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Jesus Luzardo      Record this season: 11-5      ERA: 3.23
• Home Record: 4-5
• Last 5 against Cardinals: 2-1

Why the Philadelphia Phillies will win

• The Phillies have won each of their last six games.
• The Cardinals have lost 10 of their last 11 games against the Phillies following a road win.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight night games at Citizens Bank Park following a win.
• The Phillies have covered the run line in five of their last six games.
• The Phillies have led after 5 innings in five of their last six home games against National League opponents.
• The Phillies have led after 3 innings in each of their last four home games against NL Central opponents.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Hunter Dobbins      Record this season: 3-3      ERA: 3.42
• Road Record: 2-1
• Last 5 against Phillies: 0-1

Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win

• The Phillies have lost five of their last six games as favorites against the Cardinals following a win.
• The Cardinals have won four of their last five games as underdogs against NL East opponents.
• The Cardinals have covered the run line in each of their last seven games against the Phillies.
• The Phillies have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games against the Cardinals following a win.
• The Phillies have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last six Friday games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cardinals have led after 5 innings in each of their last seven games.

Total Runs Facts

• Seven of the Phillies’ last eight home games have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the Cardinals’ last three games as underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Phillies’ last nine games against NL Central opponents.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Cardinals’ last four games as underdogs against NL East opponents.

Philadelphia Phillies Player Prop Facts

• Trea Turner has hit a home run in three of the Phillies’ last four home games against NL Central opponents.
• Jesus Luzardo has recorded eight or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight appearances in night games.
• Jesus Luzardo has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances in night games.
• Bryson Stott has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 home appearances against NL Central opponents.
• Luis Arraez ranks 1st in the league in Hits (155) this season.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Jordan Walker has hit a home run in each of the Cardinals’ last two games.
• Nathan Church has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances after playing the previous day.
• Hunter Dobbins has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last 10 appearances.
• Alec Burleson ranks 6th in the league in Hits (141) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Phillies rank 1st in the league for strikeouts this season (1259).
• The Phillies are one of only three teams in the league to rank top 10 in both strikeouts and walks allowed this season.
• The Cardinals rank T3rd in the league for home runs allowed this season (126).
• The Cardinals rank 4th in the league for strikeouts against this season (999).

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies Prediction

I’m on the Phillies here. I get the case to be made for either side in this game, but the Phillies have a significant starting pitching edge in this game with Jesus Luzardo on a tear over the last couple of months. On the other side, the Cardinals are playing well too, but they’ve really had issues against lefties as of late and I’m looking for that to happen against Luzardo. Give me the Phillies.