Cleveland Guardians (89-65) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (77-75)
September 20, 2024 8:15 pm EDT
The Line: St. Louis Cardinals -115 / Cleveland Guardians -102; Over/Under: +8.5
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The Cleveland Guardians and St. Louis Cardinals meet Friday in MLB game 1 action at Busch Stadium. Here’s a St. Louis Cardinals vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction. This article will include a St. Louis Cardinals vs Cleveland Guardians Pick.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview
The Cleveland Guardians are 89-65 on the year after playing the Rays and Twins. The Cleveland Guardians have scored 9 runs in their last 3 games and 4 or more runs in 5 of their last 10 games. The Cleveland Guardians have won 11 straight games when scoring 4 or more runs. Jose Ramirez leads the Cleveland Guardians with 161 hits and 107 RBI, while Andres Gimenez and Steven Kwan have combined for 280 hits and 104 RBI.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
The St. Louis Cardinals are 77-76 on the year after playing the Blue Jays and Pirates. The St. Louis Cardinals have scored 15 runs in their last 3 games and 3 or fewer runs in 7 of their last 10 games. The St. Louis Cardinals have lost 5 of their last 7 games when scoring 3 or fewer runs. Brendan Donovan leads the St. Louis Cardinals with 153 hits and 68 RBI, while Nolan Arenado and Masyn Winn have combined for 296 hits and 120 RBI.
Cleveland Guardians vs St. Louis Cardinals Pitching Pick Matchup
Ben Lively gets the ball for the Cleveland Guardians, and he is 12-9 with a 3.87 ERA and 112 strikeouts this season. Lively has allowed 12 hits and 4 runs in his last 11 innings. Lively has a 4.08 ERA and .243 allowed batting average in 70.2 road innings. Lively is 1-1 with a 5.87 ERA and 16 strikeouts in his career against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Kyle Gibson gets the ball for the St. Louis Cardinals, and he is 8-7 with a 4.11 ERA and 144 strikeouts this season. Gibson has allowed 7 hits and 1 earned run in his last 12 innings. Gibson has a 4.78 ERA and .292 allowed batting average in 75.1 home innings. Gibson is 5-10 with a 5.29 ERA and 78 strikeouts in his career against the Cleveland Guardians.
Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win
- The Guardians have lost each of their last six road games following an extra innings win.
- The home team has won eight of the Cardinals’ last nine games.
- The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in 13 of their last 14 night games following an extra innings win.
- The Cardinals have covered the run line in five of their last six games against American League opponents following a loss.
- The Guardians have lost the first inning in each of their last six road games against NL Central opponents.
- The Guardians have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last six games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Guardians have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three road games against NL Central opponents.
St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts
- Kyle Gibson has recorded a win in three of his last four home appearances against AL Central opponents.
- Alec Burleson has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Cardinals’ last four home games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Brendan Donovan has recorded at least one total base in each of the Cardinals’ last eight games as favorites.
- Alec Burleson has scored at least one run in each of the Cardinals’ last four home games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Kyle Gibson has recorded five or more strikeouts in five of his last six appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
- Alec Burleson has hit a home run in three of the Cardinals’ last four home games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Willson Contreras has recorded at least one Single in each of his last eight Friday night appearances with the Cardinals as favorites.
- Brendan Donovan has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cardinals’ last eight games as favorites.
- Masyn Winn has recorded a Double in each of the Cardinals’ last three games as favorites against AL opponents.
Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts
- Josh Naylor has hit at least one home run in three of his last five appearances with the Guardians as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
- Myles Straw has recorded at least one Single in each of his last 10 appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Myles Straw has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances with the Guardians as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
- Jose Ramirez has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Guardians’ last four games as underdogs against the Cardinals.
- Myles Straw has recorded at least one total base in each of his last 11 appearances with the Guardians as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
- Steven Kwan has scored at least one run in each of the Guardians’ last three road games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The St. Louis Cardinals rank T25th in the league for strikeouts this season (1242).
- The St. Louis Cardinals rank 24th in the league for runs scored this season (626).
- The Cleveland Guardians rank 3rd in the league for runs allowed this season (600).
- The Cleveland Guardians rank 4th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.230).
St. Louis Cardinals vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction
The Cleveland Guardians are the better team and should be favored, but they’re also fresh off a walk off win yesterday that clinched a playoff spot. While the Guardians are still trying to win the AL Central, this is a potential letdown spot after celebrating last night and then having to travel. I’m not excited about getting behind the Cardinals or Kyle Gibson, but I’m fading the Guardians after sipping some champagne and beer. Give me the Cards.
