The Tampa Bay Rays (57-55) take on the St. Louis Cardinals (58-56) Wednesday in the 2nd Game of a 3-Game set at Busch Stadium at 7:45 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Cardinals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cardinals lead 1-0
The Rays made it interesting, but ultimately faltered in a 4-3 Tuesday defeat. Down 4-2 in the 9th, they scored a run and had 2 runners on when the final out was secured. They mustered just 6 hits, but DH Brandon Lowe sent one of them out of the park for his 13th dinger of the season.
There was a lot not to like for the Cards here. Good for them that they scored 4 runs, but they came on a couple of 2-run homers. They still can’t find ways to manufacture runs when the ball stays in the park. 3B Nolan Arenado had the bases loaded, down 2-0 in the 1st, and he hit into a double play to end the inning. He has 1 extra-base hit with runners in scoring position since May 4.
They had 8 hits and 3 walks and only scored on the 2 HRs. One of those was OF Victor Scott II‘s 1st career shot, and OF Tommy Pham hit the other. The Cards went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and are 3-for-40 in that category since Thursday.
Rays at Cardinals projected starters
RHP Taj Bradley vs. RHP Erick Fedde
Bradley (6-5, 2.71 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.01 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9 in 86 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K last Wednesday against Miami Marlins.
- Has never faced St. Louis
- Home/road splits: 3-1, 3.78 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 7.8 K/9 in 6 road starts vs. 3-4, 2.04 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 12.6 K/9 in 9 home starts
Fedde (7-5, 3.34 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 in 126 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 4 K Friday against Chicago Cubs
- 1 career start vs. Tampa: Win, 8 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 9 K April 28
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Rays at Cardinals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:51 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Cardinals -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+170) | Cardinals +1.5 (-210)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Rays at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 4, Cardinals 3
Moneyline
The Cards struggle against velocity, and they struggle against pitchers they’re seeing for the 1st time. Bradley presents both of those as the youngster averages 96.3 mph on his fastball. Cards closer Ryan Helsley threw 25 pitches Tuesday night and allowed 1 ER on 2 H and 1 BB with 1 K in narrowly securing his 35th save. So the odds are he’s unavailable. All of these reasons lead me to roll with the RAYS +100.
Run line/Against the spread
With the Rays the RL favorites here, I’m not a fan of either side.
PASS and look to the spread.
Over/Under
It was 95 degrees in St. Louis Tuesday afternoon, but it dropped 20 degrees in a matter of hours. It’s slated to be 81 degrees with a 9-mph breeze coming in from left-center. I’m a big advocate of the Under here, and so is one bettor that dropped $56k on the Under around noon ET, according to Pregame.com. Follow the money and take the UNDER 7.5 (-105).
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