Even when a playoff race is tight, as it is in the National League right now, teams can only stay in the hunt for so long if they continue to hover at or around the .500 mark. The good teams in the MLB always find a way to step it up a gear as the season progresses, and if the chasing pack cannot keep up with that little jolt of power, they very often find themselves slowly but surely falling out of the race. There are still an awful lot of games to be played this season, but we are already beginning to see some level of frustration in some teams who are at that .500 mark.

One of those teams would be the St. Louis Cardinals, who have cooled off quite dramatically after a very good start to the season. The tightness of the NL Central right now is helping their cause, but they are not going to get any help from the visiting Atlanta Braves, a team on a good run of form, this weekend. The Cardinals are favored by 1 ½, with the run total set at 9 ½.

Braves vs Cardinals MLB Odds, Game Info & Expert Pick

Quite a first impression by @austinriley1308. 👀 pic.twitter.com/XKAbIZHBPD

— MLB (@MLB) 24 de mayo de 2019

• When: Friday, May 24 at 8:15 PM EST
• Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis
• Starting Pitchers: Foltynewicz vs. Mikolas
• TV: MLB Extra Innings
• Radio: 92.9 ESPN
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Odds: St. Louis Cardinals -180 (Total 10)

Phillies vs Brewers MLB Week 8 Betting Lines & Prediction

Why bet on the Atlanta Braves?

The Braves are very much in the hunt for the NL East crown right now, sitting 1 ½ games back of the Phillies at the top, but this is a team that has struggled to be consistent this season. There are some signs that they are starting to get into a bit of a groove, though, as they are coming into this series having won 7 of their last 10 games, a run that has taken them to 28-23 on the season.

It wasn’t so long ago that Atlanta were sitting a game below .500, so this has been a very nice turnaround. The Braves have been steady on the road, putting together a 14-11 SU record through their first 25 games away from home. As a road dog, they are 6-8 ATS this season. Mike Foltynewicz (0-3, 6.91 ERA) will be on the mound for Atlanta.

Team Stats

• Runs: 4.94
• Hits: 8.88
• Walks: 3.75
• Strike Outs: 8.31

Defense

• Runs: 4.63
• Hits: 8.12
• Walks: 4.00
• Strike Outs: 8.69

Why bet on the St. Louis Cardinals?

The Cardinals made a very solid start to the season, sending a message to the other teams in the NL Central that they meant business this year. They have been unable to sustain that high level of play, though, and are now sitting just a game above .500 at 25-24. That has them sitting down in the 4th spot in the division, although still just 4 ½ games off the pace.

There is still plenty of time for the Cardinals to get back in a groove and challenge for the crown, but they need to be a whole lot better than their 3-7 record in the last 10 games if they are to achieve that. The Cardinals are 15-10 in their own ballpark and are 14-11 ATS. It will be Miles Mikolas (4-4, 4.88 ERA) who starts for St. Louis.

Team Stats

• Runs: 5.08
• Hits: 8.71
• Walks: 3.90
• Strike Outs: 8.14

Defense

• Runs: 4.65
• Hits: 7.90
• Walks: 3.61
• Strike Outs: 8.63

Braves vs Cardinals MLB Betting Trends

• Braves are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 7 of Atlanta’s last 8 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
• Cardinals are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games at home
• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of St. Louis’ last 9 games against an opponent in the National League East division

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Braves vs Cardinals

The Braves are still waiting to see the best from Foltynewicz after returning from injury, but the good news is that his last start may just have been his best yet. With that in mind, I am taking the Braves to sneak the win here.

Score: Atlanta Braves 5 – St. Louis Cardinals 4