Phillies vs. Cardinals Thursday Pick
The surging Philadelphia Phillies will take on a St. Louis Cardinals team coming off a bad week when the two teams meet at Busch Stadium this weekend. What’s the best bet for Thursday’s matchup?
Game Snapshot & Odds
955 Philadelphia Phillies (+122) at 956 St. Louis Cardinals (-132); 8.5 runs
Thursday, May 17, 2018
7:15 p.m. ET, Busch Stadium
TV: PHI (CSP); STL (FSMW)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Cardinals as a -132 favorite. As of this writing, 53% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Phillies to beat the Cardinals on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Phillies’ Velasquez strikes out 12 in victory
Vince Velasquez fanned 12 while allowing three runs over six innings Thursday in a defeat of the Giants. Velasquez fanned 16 in his breakthrough start for the Phillies in April 2016, when he shutout the Padres, but this is his high total since. He did give up two homers, bringing his total to eight surrendered in 41 innings. The stuff is obviously there, but because of the homers and walks, he remains a frustrating player.
Cardinals’ Weaver pitches five scoreless in win
Luke Weaver blanked the Padres for five innings to record a victory on Friday. Weaver walked just one, but it still took him 92 pitches to get through five, making it an easy decision to remove him from a 7-0 game. The right-hander had given up 18 runs in his previous four starts. Facing the Padres provided him with the confidence boost he needed, though.
MLB Betting Trends
Philadelphia
The Phillies are winless in their last five trips to St. Louis and are just 1-6 in their last seven games versus the Cardinals overall.
St. Louis
The under has cashed for bettors in seven of the last 10 meetings between these two teams.
Prediction:
The Cardinals are struggling offensively and Weaver has been inconsistent in the month of May so I think this is a good spot to back the underdog. The Phillies have won six of seven overall, are 4-1 in their last five games coming off a win and own an impressive 10-1 record in their last 11 games versus National League Central opponents.
The Pick: Philadelphia Phillies +130