Braves vs Cardinals Betting Preview: Young Pitchers Could Hold Key in Atlanta/St. Louis Series
National League Contenders Atlanta and St. Louis Prepare for Three-Game Series at Busch
Promising Lefty Dylan Dodd Set to Make His MLB Debut on Tuesday For Atlanta
Two teams expected to be in the running for the National League pennant will be getting together in St. Louis when the Braves and Cardinals collide.
In the second game of the season, the Braves will roll out 24-year-old lefty Dylan Dodd, one of the young arms that Atlanta will be counting on to make a run at another playoff spot. Keep an eye on who the Braves call upon to start in the series finale when looking at the Braves vs Cardinals betting preview.
Marcell Ozuna, in his second stint with the Braves, will return to St. Louis after spending the last four seasons with the Cardinals.
There is plenty of star power in this season. According to the latest MLB betting news, Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr. (+750) is second in the National League Most Valuable Player odds while St. Louis infielders Paul Goldschmidt (+1000) and Nolan Arenado (+1600) and Braves infielder Austin Riley (+1600) aren’t far behind.
The Cardinals and Braves are one of four teams with the best odds at +400 to win the National League.
Braves vs Cardinals 
Date & Time:
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Streaming: Bally Sports Southeast, Bally Sports Midwest
The Hits Keep On Coming
Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Travis d’Arnaud and Orlando Arcia each had at least one multi-hit game as the Braves began the season with back-to-back seven-run efforts against the Washington Nationals.
It was a bit of a different story in the series finale as Atlanta was held to four hits, with the only extra-base hit being a double by outfielder Michael Harris.
The depth in the batting order is just one of the reasons why Atlanta is considered to be one of the better teams in the National League and is favored according to the Braves vs Cardinals betting preview when the teams meet on Monday.
Starting Things Off
Jake Woodford has pitched out of the bullpen in 55 of his first 65 games over the last season. However, he is set to start the series opener for the Cardinals. He allowed four hits and one run in 5.1 innings in his lone start last season.
Woodford was one of the Cardinals’ most effective pitchers last season with a 4-0 record and a 2.23 ERA.
Woodford allowed two hits and one run in two innings back in 2021 in his only previous appearance against the Braves. With veteran Charlie Morton set to start for Atlanta, the Braves vs Cardinals betting preview favors the visiting team in the series opener.
Who’s Hot
- Nolan Gorman, Cardinals IF: Gorman is batting .444 with four walks, two home runs and six RBIs.
- Matt Olson, Braves 1B: Olson hit .364 with two home runs and three extra-base hits in the first three games of the season.
- Packy Newton, Cardinals P: Newton allowed just one hit and no runs in 2.1 innings out in his first bullpen appearance of the season.
- Michael Tonkin, Braves P: Tonkin is one of seven pitchers who didn’t allow an earned run in Atlanta’s season-opening series. He didn’t allow a hit and retired all seven hitters he faced.
Who’s Not
- Miles Mikolas, Cardinals P: Mikolas gave up 10 hits and five runs in 3.1 innings in his first start of the season as he didn’t get out of the fourth inning.
- Tyler O’Neill, Cardinals OF: O’Neill is 2 for 9 with three strikeouts so far this season. One of those hits is a home run.
- Marcell Ozuna, Braves OF: Ozuna is 1 of 12 with two strikeouts in the first three games of the season. He is 0 for 2 with runners in scoring position.
- Kirby Yates, Braves: Yates allowed one hit (a home run) in one inning of work in his first appearance of the season.
| Day | Probable Pitching Matchups |
|---|---|
| Monday | Charlie Morton (Braves) vs Jake Woodford (Cardinals) |
| Tuesday | Dylan Dodd (Braves) vs Steven Matz (Cardinals) |
| Wednesday | TBA (Braves) Miles vs Mikolas (Cardinals) |
Braves vs Cardinals Injury Update
When looking at the MLB injury report for the Braves, starting pitchers Max Fried (hamstring) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) are dealing with ailments in the early part of the season. Kolby Allard (oblique) is on the 60-day injured list. Reliever Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) is expected back later this month.
For the Cardinals, reliever Giovanny Gallegos (back) and outfielder Lars Nootbaar (thumb) are questionable. Shortstop Paul DeJong (back) and starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (groin) are out.
Braves vs Cardinals Betting Analysis
Both teams are missing so key pieces among its pitching staff so it remains to be seen how that might impact this series.
When looking at the MLB series odds, the Braves are listed at even money to win the series with the Cardinals coming in at -130.
Atlanta won the first three games against St. Louis last season before the Cardinals took three of the last four with each of the last three finishing over the total.
After the three-game series, the teams won’t meet again until September.
St. Louis covered in each of the first three games this season with Atlanta 2-1 against the spread.
This will be the fourth straight game when Atlanta is favored this season.
Follow us on TwitterCan’t get enough? Here’s more!
- MLB Weekend Results Recap: Texas Rangers Take Lead With Impressive Opening Weekend
- Major League Baseball Opening Day Odds and Preview
- NL Rookie of the Year Betting Odds: Cardinals’ Walker Favored
- Major League Baseball Saves Leader Prop
- Head-to-Head MLB Home Run Leader Odds: Top Players to Watch and Best Bets
