The Atlanta Braves are set to host the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the NL Divisional Playoffs. The first pitch of the series will be fired off at 5:02 p.m. ET and this opening game will be televised on TBS.
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves Odds
Bookmakers have Atlanta (-125) as the favorite over St. Louis (+115). You can play game’s total with current odds sitting at -125 for over 8 runs and +105 for under 8. This game currently has a runline of Cardinals +1.5 (-180) and Braves -1.5 (+160).
In the regular season, the Braves are 97-65 straight up (SU) and 80-82 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 17.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 2.6 units ATS. On the other hand, the Cardinals are 91-71 SU and have gone 85-77 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 4.3 units for moneyline bettors and 4.5 units ATS.
Atlanta games have had an over/under record of 78-76-8 in 2019. The Cardinals have been a great under bet with a total record of 67-83-12.
Miles Mikolas is getting the nod for the visiting Cardinals. The right-handed Mikolas (9-14, 4.16 ERA) has recorded 144 punchouts in 184 innings so far. He’s 0-1 with nine strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA against Atlanta this year.
The Braves are planning to start lefty Dallas Keuchel (8-8, 3.75 ERA), who’s got 91 punchouts and 39 walks as well as a 1.37 WHIP. Keuchel has yet to face the Cardinals this year and did not re a start against them in 2018.
St. Louis’ pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.78 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 8.07 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.88, along with a WHIP of 1.30.
The Cardinals offense has slashed .245/.324/.415 on its way to 4.7 runs scored per game in 2019, including 5.4 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
St. Louis’ hitters have been led by first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and second baseman Kolten Wong. Goldschmidt is hitting .260/.346/.476 with 34 home runs, 97 RBIs and 97 runs scored, while Wong (.285/.361/.423) is up to 11 homers, 59 RBIs, 61 runs and 24 steals.
In the home-team dugout, Atlanta’s pitching staff has allowed 4.6 runs per game overall in 2019. The club’s starters have a 4.20 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.22 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 9.3 K/9.
The Atlanta hitters have produced 5.3 runs per outing, including 4.5 per game over its last 10 games and 4.8 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .265/.346/.416 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that span.
Second baseman Ozzie Albies and first baseman Freddie Freeman have led the Braves’ offense this year. Albies is hitting .295/.352/.500 with 24 home runs, 86 RBIs, 102 runs and 15 stolen bases, and Freeman’s line is .295/.389/.549 with 38 homers, 121 RBIs and 113 runs scored.
The Cardinals have lost 1.2 units and are 16-18 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 19 of those games, as opposed to 10 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 13.3 units and are 62-63 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in 59 of those games, compared to 61 that went under.
Cardinals vs. Braves MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Cardinals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has cashed in three of Atlanta’s last seven games.
- The Braves have dropped five of their last six games SU.
- St. Louis has recorded 23.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 24.0 over its last five.
- The Cardinals have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games. The Braves have hit 12 over their last 10.
- The Cardinals have a total OPS of .739 this season, including an OPS of .763 against left-handed pitchers. The Braves’ OPS sits at .791 overall and .781 against lefties.
