St. Louis Cardinals (53-66) vs Oakland Athletics (33-86)
2023-08-16 18:45:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: St. Louis Cardinals -175 / Oakland Athletics +161 --- Over/Under: 9.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals meet Wednesday in MLB action from Busch Stadium. This matchup marks the finale in a three-game set. The Cardinals powered out a two-run win on Monday, then in game two St. Louis kept rolling with a four-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Oakland Athletics
The A’s had a 5-3 lead at one point in the Monday opener of this set but ended up losing 7-5 in the end. Esteury Ruiz had two of the RBI with a homer. On Tuesday in game two, Oakland coughed up 14 hits in a 6-2 defeat. Lawrence Butler managed a two-run homer as the only scoring.
For the starter job in the Wednesday matchup, the A’s will go with Paul Blackburn. Over his 13 games (12 starts) this season Blackburn is 2-3 with a 4.52 ERA and 66 strikeouts over 65.2 innings. Blackburn is 1-3 with a 5.19 ERA in his last seven games (six starts).
Oakland Athletics Team Facts
The Athletics have lost each of their last nine road games.
The Athletics have failed to cover the run line seven of their last eight night games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
The Athletics have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four night games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
The Athletics have led after 5 innings in 11 of their last 15 games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
The Athletics have led after 7 innings in five of their last seven games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
St. Louis Cardinals
Over on the Cardinals’ side, they scored four runs in the seventh inning during Monday’s win. Paul Goldschmidt had a great outing with two hits, two runs, two RBI a homer and three walks in that one. On Tuesday St. Louis scored four runs in the first inning and didn’t look back from there. Nolan Arenado posted four hits, a homer and two RBI. Jordan Walker and Tommy Edman each had a solo shot as well.
Mathew Liberatore will take the mound for the Cardinals on Wednesday. In his 11 games (10 starts) so far Liberatore is 2-4 with a 5.72 ERA. Liberatore is 1-2 with a 5.58 ERA in his last seven starts, striking out 19 batters in 30.2 total frames.
St. Louis Cardinals Team Facts
The Cardinals have lost 13 of their last 17 games as home favorites against AL West opponents.
The home team has covered the run line in each of the Cardinals’ last four games.
The Cardinals have led after 5 innings in each of their last nine Wednesday night home games.
The Cardinals have led after 7 innings in each of their last seven Wednesday home games.
The Cardinals have led after 3 innings in each of their last four night games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts
Tommy Edman has hit at least one home run in two of the Cardinals’ last three games as favorites.
Paul Goldschmidt has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Cardinals’ last four games as favorites against AL West opponents.
Tommy Edman has scored at least one run in each of the Cardinals’ last six games.
Tommy Edman has recorded at least one total base in each of his last eight appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
Paul Goldschmidt has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cardinals’ last 10 games as favorites against AL West opponents.
Lars Nootbaar ranks 9th amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.383) this season.
Oakland Athletics Player Prop Facts
Brent Rooker has hit a home run in three of his six previous appearances in night games against NL teams that held a losing record.
Brent Rooker has recorded two or more total bases in five of his six previous appearances in night games against NL teams that held a losing record.
Paul Blackburn has recorded five or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances against NL opponents.
Brent Rooker has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
Esteury Ruiz ranks 2nd in the league in Steals (47) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
The St. Louis Cardinals ranks 1st in the league for home runs allowed this season (117).
The St. Louis Cardinals ranks 29th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.272).
The Oakland Athletics ranks 30th in the league for runs scored this season (427).
The Oakland Athletics ranks 30th in the league for hits this season (874).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to stay with the Cardinals. Probably not going near this one, though. Liberatore is coming off a great start: 8.0 clean innings, two hits and zero walks in a victory over Tampa Bay. Prior to that however, Liberatore had nine earned runs in just 6.0 innings. Blackburn is coming off a shaky outing (5.2 innings; four earned versus the Nationals) but had been pitching well prior to that. On Tuesday St. Louis had a pretty well-rounded night at the plate, with only one batter (Alec Burleson) going hitless. That makes six straight games with five or more runs for the Cardinals. The team is on an offensive tear right now.
