The struggling Miami Marlins will look to avoid dropping their fifth consecutive game when they play host to the St. Louis Cardinals at Marlins Park. The opening pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Midwest will broadcast this NL matchup.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Miami Marlins Odds
Vegas is listing St. Louis (-120) as the favorite over Miami (+110). If you think this game’s total will go under 8 runs, Vegas is currently offering +105 odds. Taking the over will return -125 odds. The game’s current runline odds sit at +125 for taking the Cardinals -1.5 runs and -145 for the Marlins +1.5 runs.
The Marlins are 23-40 straight up (SU) and 29-33 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 2.7 units for moneyline bettors and 11.8 units ATS. Miami has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. On the other hand, the Cardinals are 31-32 SU and have gone 32-30 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 6.5 units for moneyline bettors, but have gained 1.6 units ATS. St. Louis is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Marlins games have an over/under record of 28-32-2 so far in 2019. St. Louis has an over/under record of 28-30-4.
The right-handed Michael Wacha is the projected starter for the visiting Cards. Wacha (3-2, 6.30 ERA) has recorded 48 strikeouts in 50 innings so far. He has yet to face the Marlins this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Marlins are putting the ball in the hands of righty Sandy Alcantara (3-5, 3.80 ERA), who has 46 strikeouts and 32 walks, along with a 1.35 WHIP. Alcantara did not re a start against the Cardinals in 2018.
As a unit, Miami’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starting pitching staff has a 3.91 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 8.0 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.15 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 9.8 K/9.
The Miami hitters have produced 3.5 runs per contest, including 5.3 per game over its last 10 games and 3.2 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .215/.284/.333 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Starlin Castro and third baseman Brian Anderson have led the Marlins’ hitters this year. Castro is slashing .233/.266/.313 with four home runs, 27 RBIs and 19 runs scored, while Anderson is hitting .241 with seven homers, 27 RBIs and 21 runs scored.
For the visiting squad, St. Louis’ pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.43 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 7.66 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.14, along with a K-per-9 of 10.39.
Cardinals hitters have slashed .247/.327/.408 on their way to 4.7 runs scored per game this season, including 3.0 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 2.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
St. Louis’ offense has been sparked by first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and shortstop Paul DeJong, who collectively have belted 22 home runs. Goldschmidt is hitting .272/.360/.444 with 12 home runs, 27 RBIs and 38 runs scored, while DeJong is hitting .270/.367/.481 with 10 homers, 29 RBIs and 44 runs scored.
The Cardinals have lost 2.1 units and are 27-23 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 22 of those games, compared to 25 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Marlins have lost 4.8 units and are 19-26 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 19 of those games, compared to 25 which went under the total.
Cardinals vs. Marlins Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Marlins, ATS Winner – Marlins, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in just two of St. Louis’ last seven contests.
- The Cardinals have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games. The Marlins have hit nine over their last 10.
- The Cardinals have a team OPS of .735 this season and an OPS of .747 against right-handed pitchers. The Marlins’ OPS sits at .646 overall and .648 against righties.
- Miami has recorded 23.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 18.4 over its last five.
- The Cardinals have lost four of their last five games SU.
