Phillies vs. Cardinals Sunday Prediction
After a back-and-forth battle that eventually was won by the visitors on Saturday, the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals will wrap up their weekend series at Busch Stadium Sunday. The Cardinals are a rare home underdog – are they a good play for bettors?
Game Snapshot & Odds
911 Philadelphia Phillies (-115) at 912 St. Louis Cardinals (+105); 7.5 runs
Sunday, May 20, 2018
2:15 p.m. ET, Busch Stadium
TV: PHI (CSP); STL (FSMW)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Phillies as a -115 favorite. As of this writing, 69% 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’ Nola allows one run over six innings in last start
Aaron Nola gave up one run in six innings in a 4-2 victory over the Mets on Sunday. Nola did allow nine hits, but he was able to make the key pitches when necessary. He also struck out four and walked two. It’s not the dominant effort he had against the Giants on Tuesday, but it’s another strong start for the 24-year-old right-hander, and he now has his ERA below two at 1.99. We’ll see Nola back on the mound on Saturday against the Cardinals.
Cardinals’ youngster Flathery continues to impress
Jack Flaherty gave up one run over 5 2/3 innings of work Tuesday in a no-decision versus the Twins. Flaherty really wasn’t in trouble all night until three straight two-out hits in the sixth inning knotted things up and knocked him out of the game. The young right-hander struck out just three batters in this one, but he surrendered only five hits and walked one. Flaherty is still looking for his first career victory, and he’ll have a chance at it Sunday versus the Phillies at home. He should have an opportunity to stick around a while.
MLB Betting Trends
Philadelphia
Despite winning on Saturday the Phillies are just 6-16 in their last 22 games against the Cardinals and have lost 10 of their last 13 games in St. Louis.
St. Louis
The Cardinals have dropped five of their last seven games overall and are just 1-4 in their last five home games.
Prediction:
Flathery is a talented young pitcher with a bright future so I hate the idea of “fading” him but I’m going to. The Cardinals are winless in his last four starts but it hasn’t been his fault. Either his offense fails to give him run support or the bullpen blows potential wins on the back end. This St. Louis team is scuffling, is banged up, and is having major issues in the bullpen outside of Bud Norris and Jordan Hicks. I’ll take the grittier Phillies team with Nola on the mound.
The Pick: Philadelphia Phillies -115