The Atlanta Braves are on the road to take on the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday night. Below we will continue our MLB odds series with a Braves-Cardinals prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.
Braves-Cardinals Projected Starters
Reynaldo Lopez vs. Kyle Gibson
Reynaldo Lopez (5-2) with a 1.57 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 74.1 innings pitched, 76K/23BB, .213 oBA
Last Start: vs. Detroit Tigers: Win, 5 innings, 7 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts
2024 Road Splits: 6 starts, 2.14 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 33.2 innings pitched, 37K/8BB, .216 oBA
Kyle Gibson (5-2) with a 3.44 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 83.2 innings pitched, 73K/31BB, .226 oBA
Last Start: at Chicago Cubs: Win, 7 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts
2024 Home Splits: 7 starts, 4.28 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 40 innings pitched, 31K/14BB, .279 oBA
Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Braves-Cardinals Odds
Atlanta Braves: -1.5 (+126)
Moneyline: -132
St. Louis Cardinals: +1.5 (-152)
Moneyline: +112
Over: 8.5 (-108)
Under: 8.5 (-112)
How to Watch Braves vs. Cardinals
Time: 7:45 PM ET/4:45 PM PT
TV: Bally Sports Southeast, Bally Sports Midwest
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Braves Will Cover The Spread/Win
Reynaldo Lopez has been one of the best pitchers in the MLB this season. He leads the entire MLB in ERA, and he is getting teams to chase, whiff, and strikeout at pretty high rates. He should be able to continue his hot start in this one. The Cardinals have some of the lowest exit velocities in the MLB this season, so Lopez should not be giving up that hard of contact. If Lopez can just pitch how he has been, the Braves will win this game.
As mentioned, Lopez has the lowest ERA this season. He has been even better in his three starts this month. In those three starts, Lopez has thrown 17 innings, allowed 15 hits, just two runs, and he has 21 strikeouts to three walks. He is pitching lights out right now, and he is coming off two straight starts of giving up zero runs. In fact, in his 13 starts this season, Lopez has allowed more than two earned runs just one time. He should have no problem shutting down, and beating the Cardinals.
Why The Cardinals Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Cardinals need Kyle Gibson to match Lopez on the mound. He is a big ground ball pitcher, so he will be able to take the Braves power out of the game. He will be able to get the Braves to keep the ball out of the air, which will be important. Along with that, Gibson should get a lot of swings. The Braves have the third-highest swing percentage in the MLB this season, so it will be up Gibson to keep them swinging. If he can pitch his game, the Cardinals will win this one.
St. Louis will need to get Lopez out of this game early. Luckily, Lopez does have some faults. He does let opponents make some good contact, and his xERA is almost two full runs higher than his actual ERA. This indicates that Lopez has been getting very lucky on the mound this season. Whether teams are hitting it right at people, or just getting themselves out, Lopez should have a higher ERA than his 1.57. The Cardinals are playing well, and I do not think Lopez will have luck on his side.
Final Braves-Cardinals Prediction & Pick
This is a good pitching matchup. However, when it comes to a winner, I am going to pick the better pitcher. Right now that is Reynaldo Lopez. I will take the Braves to win this game straight up.
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Final Braves-Cardinals Prediction & Pick: Braves ML (-132)