The Philadelphia Phillies are heading west to Busch Stadium to square off against the St. Louis Cardinals. Fox Sports Midwest is in line to televise this NL matchup and the opening pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET.
Philadelphia Phillies at St. Louis Cardinals Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Philadelphia (+115) as the underdog to St. Louis (-125). Bettors are able to wager on the games total with odds sitting at -105 for over 8.5 runs and -115 for under 8.5. Bettors can also wager on the games spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at -180 for the Phillies +1.5 runs and +160 for the Cardinals -1.5.
The Cardinals are 23-17 SU and 18-21 ATS. The teams gained 0.8 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 4.8 units against the spread (ATS). St. Louis has covered the spread only once in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. On the other hand, the Phillies are 24-16 SU and have gone 18-21 ATS. Overall, the teams accumulated 5.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline through the early portions of the year, but have lost 5.2 units ATS. Philadelphiahas covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
St. Louis games have an over/under record of 15-21-3 thus far in 2018. The Phillies have an over/under record of 18-18-3.
Vince Velasquez will get the nod for the visiting Phillies. The right-handed Velasquez is 3-4 with a 5.05 ERA and 50 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Cardinals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Cardinals will put the ball in the right hand of Luke Weaver (3-2, 4.91 ERA, 1.36 WHIP), who’s got 36 strikeouts and 16 walks this season. Weaver did not record a start against the Phillies in 2017.
Philadelphia’s pitching staff allowed 3.6 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.46 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 8.69 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.30, along with a WHIP of 1.18 and a K-per-9 of 9.37.
Phillies hitters have slashed .242/.334/.402 on their way to 4.7 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.1 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 5.2 per game over the teams last five contests (4-1 SU).
Philadelphia’s hitters have been powered by outfielders Odubel Herrera and Rhys Hoskins. Herrera is slashing .357/.426/.552 with six home runs, 24 RBIs and 23 runs scored, while Hoskins has a .265 average with five homers, 26 RBIs and 22 runs scored.
For the home team, St. Louis pitching staff has allowed 3.8 runs per game overall this year. The teams starters have a 3.13 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.86 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8.4 K/9.
St. Louis hitters have put up 4.3 runs per contest, including 3.6 per game over its last 10 games and 4.2 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .236/.319/.390 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Cardinals hitters have been led by right fielder Tommy Pham and shortstop Paul DeJong. Pham is hitting .312/.419/.552 with eight home runs, 18 RBIs, 30 runs and seven stolen bases, and DeJong’s line is .260/.349/.479 with eight homers, 19 RBIs and 22 runs scored.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .306/.411/.520, Pham did not do as well batting against righty pitching at home in 2017, slashing .257/.377/.355 over 183 such plate appearances.
The Phillies have gained 2.2 units and are 12-16 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 13 of those games, compared to 13 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Cardinals have lost 2.6 units and are 10-17 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 10 of those games, as opposed to 14 that’ve cashed the under.
Philadelphia Phillies at St. Louis Cardinals Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cardinals, ATS Winner – Phillies, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Phillies have won six of their last seven games SU.
- Philadelphia has posted 22.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 23.2 over its last five.
- The Phillies have hit 17 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cardinals have hit 12 over their last 10.
