Sox vs Cardinals Series Preview: St. Louis Favored Big
White Sox Still With Fewest Wins in Majors
The Chicago White Sox (6-25) visit the St. Louis Cardinals (14-17) for a three-game series starting Friday. There isn’t going to be a huge demand for tickets. Chicago enters the series with the worst record in Major League Baseball.
The Cardinals are better, but their 14-17 record isn’t to impress many people. The Sox vs Cardinals preview shows Brad Keller getting the start for the White Sox. Chicago signed him in March, sent him to the minor leagues, but called him up a few days ago. He has a tough draw with Sonny Gray.
The Cardinals are huge -260 favorites, with the price on Chicago +210. St. Louis is -115 on the run line (-1.5) and the total on the game is just eight runs (under set at -115).
The White Sox can attribute many of their problems to the offense. Not that the pitching staff is great. It’s just that the offense is horrid. Chicago is averaging 2.9 runs per game and batting .212 as a team. The White Sox are No. 29 in home runs, having hit one more than the Cardinals.
Making matters worse Chicago is No. 29 in team ERA at 5.15. The team has four saves in 13 opportunities, so the bullpen and the starters have struggled. So far this year, you can look at the MLB live scores and see the White Sox trailing.
The Cardinals are No. 27 in runs, averaging 3.5 per game. That’s pretty dismal in its own right, but they’ll own the best offense in the series. That’s something St. Louis doesn’t get to say often.
The pitching has been average, with the Cardinals sitting No. 19 with a team ERA of 4.03. A few of the starters have been solid, but need some help.
White Sox vs Cardinals 
Records: Chicago White Sox (), St. Louis Cardinals ()
Day/Time:
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
Streams:
Friday’s Game
The Sox vs Cardinals series preview notes it’s probably a good thing this game is on the road. Keller still isn’t very popular in Chicago since the Tim Anderson bat-flipping incident five years ago. If Keller can regain his past form, all will be forgiven. He was average in his three minor league starts this year, which could be an improvement over what Chicago fans have seen this year.
Gray has been solid this season, with the Cardinals going 3-1 in his four starts and allowing a total of seven runs in those games. That doesn’t bode well for the soft-hitting White Sox. It is a little hard to play the under here, as you’re not really sure what to expect out of Keller. The Cardinals don’t hit the ball well themselves, but Keller has been bad the past few seasons.
The MLB baseball betting odds on the Cardinals run line are pretty reasonable considering the -290 moneyline. If you want to play St. Louis, that may be the way to go for the MLB expert picks.
Saturday’s Game
Erick Fedde gets the start for the White Sox and he’s been one of the few bright spots for Chicago this year. He’s 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA, but the Sox have lost all four games he hasn’t received a decision in. However, much of it hasn’t been his fault, as he’s received little run support and no assistance from the bullpen.
Lance Lynn should get the start for St. Louis and he’s having a decent year. St. Louis is 4-2 in the games he’s started and he’s sporting a 2.64 ERA. His home ERA is 4.29, however, so he’s pitched much better on the road so far this season.
The Cardinals will emerge as significant favorites, with the total expected to be around eight for a daytime match. Fedde does offer a little bit of value if the price is high enough.
Sunday’s Game
The Sox vs Cardinals series preview is listing Garrett Crochet as the starting pitcher in Sunday’s series finale. He has struggled so far this year. The White Sox are just 1-6 when he starts. He’s been decent at home, but he’s really been bad on the road, where his ERA is 10.50.
St. Louis hasn’t officially named a starting pitcher, but it would be Steven Matz if the Cardinals hold true to their rotation. Matz hasn’t been great on his last three trips to the mound and the Cardinals are just 2-4 when he starts. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI on his back on Thursday, so depending on the findings, he may be scratched from here.
As bad as Crochet has been on the road, the Cardinals are going to be worth a look regardless of who they send to the mound.
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