Every Series Is Big For The Houston Astros
Cardinals vs Astros MLB Odds: Houston Will Win The Series

The St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros had high expectations coming into the season. However, the Cardinals are one game below .500, while the Astros are just 26-34 on the season.
While there’s still enough time to get back on track and push for a playoff spot, it should be noted that we’re two months into the season. Time is ticking!
That said, we’ve got a three-game series on the horizon between the Cardinals and Astros. This is an essential series for the Astros with Houston at home. If they want to make a run at the playoffs again, they’ll have to start winning consistently at home, especially against other below .500 teams. Right now, the Houston Astros standings aren’t looking so hot.
- With Justin Verlander on the bump, the Astros are -170 favorites in the series’ first game. Meanwhile, the total is set at 8, but the Over is juiced to -113.
Let’s break down the Cardinals vs Astros MLB Odds for the three-game series below.
Cardinals vs Astros 
📊Records: St. Louis Cardinals (28-29), Houston Astros (26-34)
📍Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
⏰Day/Time: 📺Streaming: Space City Home Network, Bally Sports Midwest
St. Louis Needs Left-Handed Power
For the Cardinals to take off from their .500 record, they’ll need production from the lefty hitters. Recently, righties have been red hot, including Masyn Winn, Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, and Ivan Herrera.
But Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman, Lars Nootbarr, and Matt Carpenter haven’t been consistent from the left-handed side. A few of these guys need to step up for the Cardinals to take the next step.
Closing Out Games is a Struggle For Houston
The Astros watched Ryan Pressley struggle in the ninth inning in Sunday’s game to notch another loss for the Astros. Houston had a chance to recover at the bottom of the ninth but didn’t get the job done.
It was Pressly’s third loss and fourth blown save of the season. If things don’t change, the Astros won’t have to worry about having any MLB Playoff odds.
Cardinals vs Astros MLB Odds For Game 1:
RL: Astros -1.5 (+170) ML: Astros -170, O/U 8 -113/-107
⚾ Game 1⚾
Monday, 8:10 pm ET
Kyle Gibson vs. Justin Verlander
The St. Louis Cardinals will roll with Kyle Gibson in tonight’s opening game of the series. Gibson has been awful against left-handed hitters but has held his own against righties this season. Still, lefties have hit a .233 ISO and wOBA of .340 against Gibson this season.
He’ll likely have trouble against Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez in the Houston lineup. Even Jon Singleton has put up quality numbers against righties over the last 30 days. Singleton would be one of three lefties in the lineup for the Astros tonight.
On the other hand, Justin Verlander will get the call for the Astros. Verlander has held teams to a .298 wOBA, but he’s only added 22.7% of strikeouts. In addition, Verlander has allowed more than 34% of fly balls and has induced below 24% of ground balls. This isn’t like Verlander, but he’s aging a bit.
Overall, Verlander still has a better matchup, going up against a Cardinals lineup that has hit a .156 ISO with 24.2% of strikeouts against righties over the last 30 days.
We’d back the Astros in Game 1 of this series.
⚾ Game 2 ⚾
Tuesday, 8:10 pm ET
Andre Pallante vs. Spencer Arrighetti
In Game 2, it’ll be Andre Pallante for the Cardinals. The former deliver has only struck out 14.1% of batters and has walked 11.3%. Yet, he’s earned a .079 ISO and wOBA of .319 thanks to 62.3% of ground balls and only 17% of fly balls.
However, righties have hit a .174 ISO and wOBA of .466 against Pallante this season. With Houston’s lineup likely to have six righties in it, Pallante might not have as much success as he’s had recently.
He’ll go up against rookie pitcher Spencer Arrighetti of the Astros. Arrighetti is 3-5 with a 5.98 ERA on the year. The righty has had his ups and downs, but he’s only earned 38.7% of ground balls and has walked nearly 11% of batters this year. His success is scattered around. While he doesn’t get many strikeouts against lefties, he’s limited to extra-base hits against lefties.
Meanwhile, he’s allowed a .177 ISO and wOBA of .363 to righties but has added 29.5% of strikeouts. He’s a mixed back and someone who is difficult to pick apart statistically.
Earlier, we spoke about St. Louis’ success from their right-handed hitters. That’ll come into play in Game 2. So, consider backing our free MLB picks and bet on the Cardinals winning this one.
⚾ Game 3 ⚾
Wednesday, 2:10 pm ET
Miles Mikolas vs. Ronel Blanco
In a potential rubber match of the three-game series, Milas Mikolas will get the start for St. Louis. The veteran righty has allowed a .199 ISO and wOBA of .348 to 275 batters. He’s also struck out only 18.2% of batters this season. Ultimately, he’s been worse against lefties, but righties have still found ways to get on base against Mikolas.
On the other hand, Ronel Blanco will pitch for the Astros. He’s holding a 2.44 ERA on the season but was suspended for ten games due to an illegal substance on his glove when pitching about a month ago. That said, Blanco has still held teams to a .126 ISO and wOBA of .258. Ultimately, his MLB stats have been better than Mikolas, whether he cheats or doesn’t.
Back the Astros to get the series win at home with a Game 3 victory when the Cardinals vs Astros MLB odds come out for this game.
Cardinals vs Astros Lines
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