Brewers vs Cardinals MLB Odds, Preview & Expert Pick – Apr 24th

Written by on April 24, 2019

As much as reigning NL MVP Christian Yelich has killed the St. Louis Cardinals this season, don’t be surprised if he’s walked intentionally a time or two on Wednesday in the series finale between the rivals. Then again, St. Louis’ Paul Goldschmidt has killed the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cards are slight favorites on the MLB Betting Lines.

How to Bet Brewers vs Cardinals MLB Odds & Game Info

Why Bet on Milwaukee?

The Brewers optioned reliever Adrian Houser to Triple-A San Antonio. Houser allowed nine hits and five runs over four innings in a spot start against the Cardinals on Monday night in St. Louis. It could be a while before the 26-year-old gets another look out of the Milwaukee rotation. Infielder Tyler Saladino was recalled to take the roster spot. Saladino will add a little depth to the Milwaukee bench. The 29-year-old infielder is a career .233/.284/.338 hitter in 993 plate appearances at the major league level.

On Monday and for the second time this season, (also 3/28-3/31), Christian Yelich was named NL Player of the Week. Yelich batted .417 (10-for-24) with 9 runs, 8 HR and 16 RBI in 7 games from 4/15-4/21. With 13 HR, Yelich has tied Prince Fielder (May 2007) for most HR in franchise history in a calendar month.

The Brewers have committed just 5 errors this season with none in the last 12 games, a new franchise record. Their 5 errors are the fewest in the majors. The team owns the highest fielding percentage (.994) in the majors.

It’s Jhoulys Chacin on the mound. Chacin didn’t factor into the decision in Friday’s 5-3 loss to the Dodgers, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over five innings while striking out five. The right-hander has had a rough start to the season, only delivering one quality start in five trips to the mound, and Friday’s mediocre effort may actually count as his best performance so far. Chacin will take a 5.92 ERA and 22:14 K: BB through 24.1 innings into this outing.

Chacin was 0-7 lifetime against the Cardinals in his first nine career matchups through last June, but he has won his last three starts against them, including Opening Day this year. He had seven strikeouts in that game.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Runs: 4.84
  • Hits: 8.12
  • Walks: 3.56
  • Strike Outs: 9.64

Defense

  • Runs: 5.28
  • Hits: 8.76
  • Walks: 3.96
  • Strike Outs: 9.00

Why Bet on St. Louis?

Pitcher Michael Wacha (knee) is expected to miss just one start. Wacha landed on the injured list Monday with left knee patellar tendinitis, an injury that flared up during a workout. It sounds like he could’ve made his scheduled start Tuesday, though, but the Cardinals decided to exercise caution. He’s eligible to rejoin the rotation on April 29.

Outfielder Harrison Bader (hamstring) took batting practice Monday. Bader is a little over a week removed from a right hamstring strain and is progressing in the right direction. Barring a setback, he’s expected to be activated when first eligible Wednesday or close to it.

Paul Goldschmidt leads the Cardinals with nine home runs, including six against the Brewers. Goldschmidt’s six home runs against the Brewers are tied for his 2nd-most against any opponent in a single season, hitting 8 vs. the Dodgers in 2015 and 6 vs. the Dodgers in 2013. Albert Pujols holds the Cardinals record by hitting eight home runs against the Brewers in 2010. Goldschmidt has hit nine home runs in March/April, 3rd-most by a Cardinal in those combined months behind Albert Pujols (14 in 2006) and Mark McGwire (11 in 1998).

Brewers vs Cardinals is going to be a close one.

The Cards made history recently. With Dakota Hudson earning the win on Sunday and Jack Flaherty on Monday, the Cardinals did something they had never done before in their 129-year history by having their starting pitcher earn wins in consecutive games despite each allowing three home runs or more. The last MLB team to pull off the feat was the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016.

It’s Adam Wainwright here. Wainwright (1-2) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits and three walks over three innings while striking out three as the Cardinals fell 5-4 to the Mets. After back-to-back quality starts, Wainwright struggled in this one, throwing only 48 of 86 pitches for strikes before getting an early hook. The veteran right-hander will carry a 4.74 ERA and 19:9 K: BB through 19 innings into this out.

Wainwright looks to become the fifth pitcher in franchise history to win 150 games.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Runs: 5.74
  • Hits: 9.26
  • Walks: 3.78
  • Strike Outs: 8.78

Defense

  • Runs: 4.43
  • Hits: 7.70
  • Walks: 4.09
  • Strike Outs: 9.22

Brewers vs Cardinals MLB Betting Trends

  • Milwaukee is 9-4 SU in their last 13 games against St. Louis
  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee’s last 7 games against an opponent in the National League conference
  • St. Louis is 9-1 SU in their last 10 games at home
  • The total has gone OVER in 8 of St. Louis’ last 12 games
  • Brewers are 4-1 in Chacin’s last 5 starts vs. Cardinals
  • Cardinals are 11-4 in Wainwright’s last 15 starts vs. Brewers

Expert Final Score Prediction for Brewers vs Cardinals

Milwaukee Brewers 3 – St. Louis Cardinals 4