Cards Look to Snap Out of Funk Against Orioles
Orioles vs Cardinals Preview Shows Value in Baltimore
The St. Louis Cardinals standings are underwhelming with Memorial Day just around the corner. Can they turn things around before summer starts to heat up? Monday, the Cardinals open a three-game series at Busch Stadium against the Baltimore Orioles.
St. Louis is -1.5 (+164) on the run line and -130 on the moneyline for the opener, with Baltimore +1.5 (-198) and +110. Meanwhile, the projected total is 8 with a slight edge to the under at -112. Additionally, the Orioles are -125 favorites to win the series, compared to +105 for the Cardinals.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down both MLB teams and assess the betting odds in our Orioles vs Cardinals preview.
Orioles vs Cardinals 
Records: Baltimore Orioles (29-15), St. Louis Cardinals (20-26)
Day/Time:
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
Streaming: BSMW
Orioles vs Cardinals Betting Trends
The Baltimore Orioles are 24-20 against the run line but just 3-7 over their last 10 MLB games. Baltimore has also been profitable for over/under bettors, going 22-18-4. Only two clubs have hit the over at a higher rate than the Orioles (55%).
The St. Louis Cardinals, meanwhile, are 22-24 against the run line, including 4-10 over their previous 14 games. As for the over/under, St. Louis is 21-23-2.
Keep these betting trends in mind when analyzing our Orioles vs Cardinals preview.
Sunny Outlook in Baltimore
Baltimore has distanced itself as a legitimate contender, starting 29-15 to keep pace with New York atop the American League East. The Orioles sit just 2.0 games behind the Yankees at 33-15 and own the league’s third-best run differential at plus-58.
The Baltimore Orioles went 5-3 during their recent eight-game homestand, including taking two of three from Seattle over the weekend. Baltimore plated 18 runs during the series, with shortstop Gunnar Henderson homering in all three games.
The reigning AL Rookie of the Year now leads the Major Leagues with 15 home runs, boosting his MVP odds to +500. Only Juan Soto (+225), Bobby Witt Jr. (+300), and Aaron Judge (+450) are bigger favorites, per MLB betting lines.
The Orioles are tied for the MLB lead with 68 homers, in addition to ranking fifth in OPS (.752). They have been just as formidable on the mound, turning in baseball’s fifth-lowest ERA (3.25).
Oddsmakers remain bullish on the Orioles, pricing them +190 to win the AL East (New York is a -175 favorite) and +400 to win the pennant. They also have the fourth-best World Series odds at +900, behind only the Dodgers (+300), Braves (+400) and Yankees (+600).
Their outlook should only improve as their talented young call-ups acclimate themselves to the Major Leagues.
Slumping Redbirds Look for Answers
The Cardinals had a good start to their nine-game homestand, taking two of three from Boston over the weekend. Despite that, they continue to rank as one of baseball’s biggest disappointments at 20-26. They are in fourth place in the National League Central, only 1.5 games ahead of the cellar-dwelling Reds.
Run production remains the Redbirds’ most glaring issue. St. Louis ranks 28th in baseball in runs scored (175) and 25th in homers (38).
They’re not likely to improve in that area either unless first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (4 HR, .602) or third baseman Nolan Arenado (3 HR, .711 OPS) heat up. Both perennial All-Stars are greatly underperforming their career norms.
The Cardinals’ hottest hotter may be first baseman/outfielder Alec Burleson, who is 10 for 22 (.454) over his last five games with two homers and four RBI.
Given the age of their roster, the Cardinals (projected for 84.5 wins) may have a hard time matching expectations. They’ve dropped to +295 to make the MLB playoffs and are +800 to win the division. They are also only +4500 to win the NL.
Again, much of it boils down to Goldschmidt and Arenado improving.
Series Probables
âš¾ Game 1 âš¾
- Monday, 7:45 p.m. ET
- Dean Kremer vs Sonny Gray
Kremer matched a season-high with 10 strikeouts in his last outing, a 9-2 loss to Arizona on May 12. He allowed six runs (three earned) over 5.2 innings, increasing his ERA to 3.72. The 28-year-old right-hander has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five straight starts. Home runs (nine allowed in 46 innings) have been his biggest issue.
The Cardinals will counter with their ace in Gray. The three-time All-Star is 5-2 with a 3.05 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, though he’s been hit hard in his last two starts (11 runs allowed in 11 innings). Gray also has 53 strikeouts in 41.1 innings. He is +2000 to win NL Cy Young, one of 11 pitchers priced 20/1 or better.
Be sure to remember that when assessing the odds in our Orioles vs Cardinals preview.
âš¾ Game 2 âš¾
- Tuesday, 7:45 p.m. ET
- Kyle Bradish vs Lance Lynn
Bradish is beginning to settle in after missing all of April with elbow issues. He has given up four runs over his first 13.2 innings (three appearances). While he’s yet to throw more than 90 pitches in an outing, his workload should soon grow.
Lynn, meanwhile, has a 4.17 ERA in nine starts. The Cardinals have lost his last four starts, during which he’s given up 15 runs (13 earned) in 19.2 innings. Walks (20 in 45.1 innings) remain a slight issue.
âš¾ Game 3 âš¾
- Wednesday, 1:15 p.m. ET
- John Means vs Kyle Gibson
Means has made three starts since returning May 4 following Tommy John surgery, going 2-0 with a 3.06 ERA. The 31-year-old southpaw has yet to walk a batter over his first 17.2 innings while striking out 15.
He will face Gibson, who is 3-2 with a 4.09 ERA. He has gone at least six innings in eight of his first nine starts, providing value length to the Cardinals’ veteran rotation. But he’s been hit hard this month (10 runs in 17 innings).
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