St. Louis vs Milwaukee Odds, Lines & Picks to Win

The first start of the season off the injured list didn’t go well for Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty and he’s back on the bump Tuesday as St. Louis visits Milwaukee, which is a slight favorite on the MLB odds for the national TV matchup.

How to Bet Cardinals at Brewers MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Tuesday, 8:10 PM ET
Where: American Family Field
Probable pitchers (away/home): Jack Flaherty/TBA
TV: Fox Sports 1
Stream/gameday audio: Fox Sports Go
Opening MLB Lines: TBA (Brewers starting pitcher)

Why Bet on St. Louis?

Entering this series, the Cardinals have hit 224 home runs at American Family Field since 2001 (most among all opponents), with Albert Pujols (20) ranking 3rd and Paul Goldschmidt (17) T5th all-time among visiting players. Nolan Arenado is the stadium leader in both slugging (.758) and OPS (1.200) and ranks 2nd in average (.382) among Major Leaguers with at least 75 career plate appearances at the park. Pujols is the active leader in OBP (.420) and home runs against Brewers pitching and ranks 2nd in OPS (1.021).

The Cardinals have scored double-digit runs eight times (8-0 record) this season, tied with Washington for 3rd-most in MLB behind the Yankees (11) and Mets (9).

It’s Jack Flaherty (0-0) on the mound for the Cards. Making his first start of the 2022 season, Flaherty surrendered four runs (two earned) on three hits over three innings while taking a no-decision in last Wednesday’s 6-4 loss to the Pirates. Flaherty was making his 2022 debut after missing the first 10 weeks of the season while rehabbing from a case of right shoulder inflammation. Flaherty wrapped having struck out three and walked two across 60 pitches (37 strikes). He described his command as “terrible” and “not nearly as sharp as it had been.” He is expected to be limited to 75 pitches on Tuesday.

Flaherty went down in Spring Training with shoulder bursitis, an issue that required platelet-rich plasma treatment. He was shut down from throwing for a few weeks and the club gradually built him back into game shape once he was healthy enough to pick up a ball.

In 17 appearances (15 starts) last season, the 26-year-old posted a 3.22 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 85/26 K/BB ratio over the course of 78 1/3 innings pitched. Flaherty is one of the game’s top starters, owner of a 3.34 ERA in just under 500 career innings. He has punched out a strong 28.7% of opposing batters on the back of an excellent 13.3% swinging strike rate.

Flaherty will make his 16th career appearance vs. the Brewers and first since last 2021. His 15 career appearances & 14 starts vs. the Brewers are his most vs. any team. Flaherty threw 6.0 scoreless innings of four-hit ball in a 2-0 win at American Family Field in his last outing there (5/13/21). It snapped a streak of four consecutive losses vs. Milwaukee. Flaherty has three double-digit strikeout games vs. MIL since 2017, including a career high 13 on 6/22/18 at American Family Field.

Why Bet on Milwaukee?

Milwaukee got All-Star closer Josh Hader back from the paternity list on Monday. However, second baseman Kolten Wong suffered a setback Saturday with his calf issue and will remain out for a while. Wong was expected to return from the injured list Saturday but suffered a setback before the game. The 31-year-old has been on the shelf since June 8 with right calf discomfort. The Brewers’ leadoff man has slashed .228/.321/.389 with five bombs, 17 RBI, and eight stolen bases in 209 plate appearances this season.

Willy Adames leads the National League in homers (13) from the shortstop position. Only the Rangers’ Corey Seager (14) has more homers as a shortstop. Reliever Devin Williams is unscored upon in his last 15 outings. Opponents are batting .102 during this stretch. Hoby Milner, who leads the team with 30 appearances this season, has posted a 0.53 ERA over his last 17 outings and is unscored upon in his last seven.

Lefty Aaron Ashby (1-5) was to start on the mound Tuesday but Monday was placed on the injured list with left forearm inflammation. Ashby had an MRI Monday morning that showed only inflammation. He says he’s not particularly worried because the velocity in Sunday’s bullpen session felt normal. But he didn’t feel right throwing his slider.

Ashby left last Thursday’s start against the Mets with left forearm tightness. Ashby was struggling before leaving; allowing four runs in 4 1/3 innings. Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters that it was precautionary and believed it had more to do with fatigue than actual injury.

It likely will be a bullpen-type game on Tuesday.