Over the course of a 162-game season, it is impossible for any team not to have a run of games where they seem to be unable to win on a consistent basis. On the flipside, there are going to be periods of time where teams get on a hot streak and become impossible to beat. It is the teams who limit those losing streaks who are generally still in the playoff hunt when the regular season grind heads into the final couple of weeks.
There are a couple of teams that have jumped out as clear favorites in the early going in the National League, but there is also a handful that could easily challenge for the top once they get into a consistent winning groove. Two of those teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves, will hook up for a series in the ATL, with the first game in this set coming on Tuesday night. These teams are heading in opposite directions right now, with the Braves on a better run. Despite that, it’s the Cardinals who are favored by 1 ½, with the run total set at 9.
Cardinals vs Braves MLB Lines, Game Info & Prediction
🏡 Sweet 🏡! @Folty25 on the mound, 7:10 first pitch from @SunTrustPark! pic.twitter.com/MooVfxvGle
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) 14 de mayo de 2019
- When: Tuesday, May 14 at 7:20 PM EST
- Where: SunTrust Park, Atlanta
- Starting Pitchers: Flaherty vs. Foltynewicz
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Radio: The Fan 680
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- MLB Lines: St. Louis Cardinals -125 (Total 9)
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Why bet on the St. Louis Cardinals?
The Cardinals spent some time at the top of the NL Central this season before hitting a pothole that has taken them off course in a big way. The Cardinals still have a respectable season record of 22-19, but with just 2 wins in their last 10 games, you get a clear idea of just how far they have fallen in the past few weeks. They come into this series on a 3-game losing after being swept by the Pirates over the weekend.
That series really hurt their standing in the Central, where they are now 3 ½ games off the pace being set by the Chicago Cubs at the top. St. Louis is 8-10 SU on the road this season and are 1-1 as a road favorite. They will look to turn the tide with Jack Flaherty (3-3, 4.32 ERA) on the mound.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 5.02
- Hits: 8.83
- Walks: 3.76
- Strike Outs: 8.34
Defense
- Runs: 4.54
- Hits: 7.85
- Walks: 3.54
- Strike Outs: 8.71
Why bet on the Atlanta Braves?
The Braves were a surprise winner of the NL East last season, raising the bar on their own expectations for this year. Through the early going, it has been a little hit and miss for the Braves, but the current state of the East has them very much in the hunt despite being just a game over .500 at 21-20.
There is a feeling that they may just have had a turning point moment over the weekend, winning 3 in a row on the road against a very good Arizona Diamondbacks team. Atlanta still needs to get better at home, as they are just 10-10 in their own ballpark in the early going. The Braves are now 6-4 in their last 10 games and are 4-2 SU overall versus teams from the Central. They will send Mike Foltynewicz (0-2, 5.94 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.78
- Hits: 8.90
- Walks: 3.63
- Strike Outs: 8.22
Defense
- Runs: 4.76
- Hits: 8.29
- Walks: 4.10
- Strike Outs: 8.80
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Cardinals vs Braves MLB Betting Trends
- Cardinals are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of St. Louis’ last 9 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
- Braves are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 7 games played on a Tuesday
- Cardinals are 19-29 against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 3 seasons
- Braves are 112-94 against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons
- Flaherty is 0-1 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 9.64 and a WHIP of 1.499
- Foltynewicz is 2-3 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 8.06 and a WHIP of 1.925
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Cardinals vs Braves
The Cardinals are not quite at desperation mode just yet, but they are a team in desperate need of a win. I’m not so sure they get it here, though, which is why I love the Braves ATS. I also think Atlanta might eke out the win.
Score: St. Louis Cardinals 4 – Atlanta Braves 5
