Angels vs. Cardinals Friday Prediction
Albert Pujols’ long awaited return to St. Louis will happen tonight when his current team the Angels visit his former team the Cardinals at 8:15 p.m. ET. Provided the rain holds off, will Pujols’ Halos knock off the Redbirds as a small road favorite?
Game Snapshot & Odds
979 Los Angeles Angels (-115) at 980 St. Louis Cardinals (-105); 9.5 runs
Friday, June 21, 2019
8:15 p.m. ET, Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
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Public Betting Trends
According to our MLB Public Betting Chart page, 60% of the betting tickets are on the Cardinals to beat the Angels on the moneyline.
Los Angeles Angels Fantasy Spin
Tommy La Stella went 3-for-5 and scored a run in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday. He singled in the second inning and scored on a home run by Luis Rengifo. All three of La Stella’s knocks were singles. He is having a great season, slashing .301/.356/.512 with 15 home runs and 41 RBI. He’s already tripled his previous career high for home runs in a season
St. Louis Cardinals Fantasy Spin
Yadier Molina went 3-for-5 with an RBI double in a loss to the Marlins on Thursday. Molina had a pair of singles before he stepped up and knocked an RBI double in the 11th inning, bringing the Cardinals to within a run. They wouldn’t get any closer — Molina’s pinch-runner, Jack Flaherty, was picked off second base to end the game — but it was still a good game for the 36-year-old, who hadn’t had a multi-hit game since his first contest off the injured list on June 11. With Thursday’s game, the backstop is batting .261/.292/.385 in 60 games.
MLB Betting Trends
Los Angeles
The Angels are 4-0 in their last four games coming off a loss.
St. Louis
The Cardinals have won nine of Michael Wacha’s last 13 home starts.
Prediction:
As you can see above, the Cardinals have been profitable when Wacha takes the mound at Busch Stadium but that doesn’t mean the starter has pitched well. In fact, there’s reason to believe that he’ll be heading to the bullpen after one or two more starts because he’s been too inconsistent this season. (He’s also a free agent at the end of the season and it’s hard to envision him being in St. Louis’ long-term plans.) The Angels are 7-3 in their last 10 games overall and have won five of their last six games versus a right-handed starter. This Cardinals team has been stuck in mud since May and you know Pujols will be motivated to hand his former team a loss. I like the Halos tonight at an inexpensive price.
Friday MLB Prediction: Los Angeles Angels -115