Cardinals vs Brewers Picks & Odds: Milwaukee Now A Dog In NL Central Battle

A crucial four-game set continues tonight in Milwaukee as the Brewers (39-30) host the St. Louis Cardinals (38-31) jostling for top spot in the NL Central. The Brew Crew shut down the Cards last night to reclaim the division lead and now hold a 5-4 edge in the season series. See below for more insight, analysis and a Cardinals vs Brewers prediction.

Best MLB Betting Sites

Cardinals vs Brewers Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

The Brewers opened as -125 favorites, but that has changed drastically since the starting pitchers were announced. The Cardinals, who have won six of their last nine games in Milwaukee, are now the favorites at most sites. The total opened at 8.5 but has since climbed to as high as 9.5. The UNDER is 5-4 in the nine games between the clubs this season.

Get the best Cardinals vs Brewers odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Starting Pitchers

Jack Flaherty, making his second start of the season after returning last week from a shoulder injury, will be on a pitch count of about 75 pitches. He gave up four runs, two of them earned, in three innings in his debut. He is 3-6 in 14 career starts vs the Brewers.

Milwaukee will give the ball to Chi Chi Gonzalez for his third start of the season as the team battles through injuries to a number of its key starters. Gonzalez was roughed up by both Toronto and Tampa Bay in his first two outings and has an ERA of 7.71. He is 1-2 in four career starts against St. Louis.

Cards Hoping Arenado Can Help Team Break Out Of Funk

The Cardinals are looking to find their offense after being shut out 2-0 in the series opener, their second straight blanking at the hands of the Brewers and their fourth loss in their last five games overall.

Nolan Arenado could be due for a big game after going 0-for-8 with three strikeouts in his last two games, but he is hitless in five career at-bats against Gonzalez. If Arenado can turn his bat around, that makes Paul Goldschmidt that much more dangerous. The big first baseman is second in the majors with a .339 batting average.

The Cards haven’t had trouble scoring runs this season as only the Mets, Yankees and Phillies have scored more.

The Crew Is Crushing The Ball On A Consistent Basis

Milwaukee has won six of its last eight following an eight-game losing skid. Tyrone Taylor’s two-run home run in the fifth inning is all the team needed to take the series opener Monday night.

The Brewers have gone deep 89 times this season, third-most in baseball behind only the Yankees and Braves. In fact, they have 10 players with at least five home runs. To put that in perspective, the Yankees only have eight players who have homered at least five times this season.

The Brewers are also getting quality pitching, especially in clutch situations. Milwaukee pitchers have struck out 643 batters, the third-highest total in the majors behind the Mets and Braves staffs.

Cardinals vs Brewers Pick & Insights

Cardinals: Keys To Victory

Be aggressive against Gonzalez early. The Cardinals haven’t scored in 22 consecutive innings vs Brewers pitching. Gonzalez has struggled this season, so if St. Louis can get to him early and use their speed on the basepaths, they will have a good chance to get back into a tie with Milwaukee for top spot in the Central.

Brewers: Keys To Victory

Get into the bullpen with a lead. Milwaukee has arguably the best closer in baseball in Josh Hader. He has converted 20 of 21 save chances this season and seems to be unhittable on most nights. If they can continue to shut down Cardinals hitters and give Hader the ball with the lead, then taking the home team when making your Cardinals vs Brewers pick will likely turn out to be the right choice.

MLB Computer Pick: Brewers +1.5

Check out more of our signature MLB computer picks, plus our favorite sportsbooks that serve baseball customers.