D’Backs vs Cardinals Odds: Arizona Slight Favs in Opener
Teams Open Three-Game Series in St. Louis
The Arizona Diamondbacks stay on the road, visiting St. Louis for three games starting Monday.
The Diamondbacks split a four-game series with San Francisco and are 11-12 on the season. Arizona does have the best run differential in the NL West, but are 1.5 games behind the Dodgers.
The Cardinals were swept at home by Milwaukee and now trail the Brewers by 6.0 games. Brandon Pfaadt takes the mound for Arizona, while Lance Lynn tries to stop the bleeding for St. Louis.
The D’Backs vs Cardinals odds see Arizona -110 on the road in the series opener. The total is sitting at 8.5.
Arizona Diamond Backs vs St. Louis Cardinals 
Day/Time:
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
Streaming: ESPN+
Monday’s Game
The MLB betting odds on this game are definitely taking the team factor into consideration. Lynn has much better numbers than Pfaadt, so it’s a little surprising to see the line where it is. Favorites on a four-game losing streak are just 3-5 on the season.
The Dodgers‘ offense has gotten all the attention, but the Diamondbacks lead the NL West in runs scored. If the bullpen hadn’t blown five saves already, Arizona could be leading the division. The offense is certainly there. The pitching is a little more unpredictable.
The Cardinals are struggling to score runs. Their 76 runs are last in the National League. The scoreboard shows St. Louis has scored three runs or less 15 times this season. The Cardinals are 4-11 in those games, which is why they’re 9-13 and already 3.5 games back in the MLB wild card standings.
The pitching hasn’t been great, but it hasn’t been all that bad. Until the bats come around, the pitching staff will have to shoulder a bigger load.
The Cardinals roughed up Pfaadt 10 days ago, but it’s hard to see that happening again. Lynn has been pitching well, so the best play in this one could very well be the under 8.5.
Tuesday’s Game
The D’Backs vs Cardinals odds could see St. Louis as small favorites here. Arizona hasn’t announced a starting pitcher for the game, which is where Ryne Nelson would have been scheduled to start. Nelson was placed on the 15-day disabled list after being hit by a line drive against the Giants.
Arizona called up outfielder Pavin Smith. The Diamondbacks could make another roster move Monday or have a bullpen game.
The Cardinals will start Steven Matz, who didn’t have his best game against Arizona in a 9-6 win. Matz allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings and eight hits. Only one of the runs was earned, however. Arizona is just 4-8 against left-handed starters, but are averaging 6.75 runs. Two of those wins have seen the Diamondbacks score 16 and 17 runs.
If the Diamondbacks go off as underdogs, they could be worth a look here. The Cardinals may have the pitching edge, but Arizona holds an advantage offensively.
Wednesday’s Game
The D’Backs vs Cardinals odds could see Arizona favored, as Jordan Montgomery is scheduled to face Kyle Gibson. Montgomery was solid in his season debut against the Giants. He didn’t look too impressive in his two starts for Reno, but picked things up once back in the big leagues.
He was on a pitch count of 80 to 85 pitches against the Giants. It could be similar in this start. It’s worth watching what Arizona does Tuesday with its pitchers. If the Diamondbacks have a bullpen game, Montgomery could be a little more unappealing.
Gibson hasn’t thrown that poorly with one lousy start. Being early in the season, that will have a bigger impact on a pitcher’s stats.
He has thrown at least six innings in all four starts this year. The Cardinals are 1-3 in the games he’s started. He allowed one run in six innings his last time on the mound, but the Cards lost 2-1 to the Brewers.
The price on the Diamondbacks could be inflated a little bit here after Montgomery’s debut. If you’re going to play this one, make sure you’re getting decent value on your wager. If you can get Gibson +115 or higher, the Cardinals deserve a look. Anything lower than that makes it a tough game to play.
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