The Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the biggest surprises of the MLB season so far – and the biggest reason for their shockingly strong play might be their pitching staff. The Phillies rank in the top five in ERA and quality starts while in the top 10 in WHIP and opponent batting average. The starting rotation has also led to the Phillies cashing for UNDER bettors in each of the team’s last five outings. Will the lack of offense continue when the Phillies resume their series with the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday?
- Jake Arrieta has a 2.27 ERA in 17 career starts against the Cardinals.
- The Phillies are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games against right-handed starting pitchers.
- The Cardinals are batting just .226 in 20 games at home this season.
Jake Arrieta, who will start for the Phillies in this one, has been lights-out since moving to Philly. The former Cy Young Sportsbook has a 2.59 ERA on the season while allowing two or fewer earned runs in six of his seven starts. Arrieta has had plenty of experience facing the Cardinals – spending over four seasons in the same division as St. Louis – and has posted a 2.27 ERA in 17 starts against the Cards.
The Cardinals will start Michael Wacha, who has been finding his form again after a couple of down seasons. In Wacha’s last five starts, the righty has a 1.86 ERA with 24 strikeouts to nine walks. If Wacha is pitching well, expect Mike Matheny to ride him as far as possible, as the team has yet to determine its Saturday starter after Adam Wainwright was placed on the DL earlier this week.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had installed the St. Louis Cardinals as -125 moneyline favorites in this particular MLB betting odds matchup. The total, meanwhile, was set early at 8 before betting at Sportsbook started to move the line.
OddsShark prediction models pick the Cardinals to win this game 4.6-4.0. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Philadelphia Phillies vs St. Louis Cardinals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
St. Louis (23-18) will face the 25-16 Phillies in this tilt. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and St. Louis vs Philadelphia injuries news.
It's a MLB baseball betting matchup between the No. 16-rated Cardinals and the No. 10-ranked Phillies, according to the latest MLB power poll here at OddsShark.
Statistical Matchup
Scoring stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features the St. Louis Cardinals' No. 19-ranked scoring average of 4.22 runs per game, against a Philadelphia Phillies offense rated No. 8 and scoring 4.73 runs per game. The Cardinals have averaged 7.8 hits per game to date this season, less than the Phillies hitters have managed (8.12 per nine innings).
Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping betting factors and St. Louis has the No. 7-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Phillies own the No. 3 mark in runs allowed.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Philadelphia got the job done in their last match in a 6-2 victory over St. Louis on Thursday at New Busch Stadium behind starter Vince Velasquez.
- Philadelphia is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games
- Philadelphia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
- Philadelphia is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
- St. Louis is 3-14 ATS in its last 17 games
- St. Louis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games
- St. Louis is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Philadelphia at St. Louis, Saturday, May 19
