Cardinals vs. Giants Thursday Prediction
The struggling San Francisco Giants welcome the return of Johnny Cueto on Thursday night when they host the St. Louis Cardinals at 10:15 p.m. ET. Will Cueto pitch well and lift the Giants to victory or will the Cardinals build off the momentum of taking two of three from Arizona?
Game Snapshot & Odds
907 St. Louis Cardinals (+124) at 908 San Francisco Giants (-134); 7.5 runs
Thursday, July 5, 2018
10:15 p.m. ET, AT&T Park
TV: STL (FSMW); SF (NBCSBA)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Giants as a -134 favorite. As of this writing, 65% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Giants 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.
Cardinals’ Weaver shelled for 10 runs in loss to Braves
Luke Weaver was shelled for eight runs on 10 hits in a loss to the Cardinals on Saturday in just 4 2/3 innings. Weaver gave up a two-run homer to Ronald Acuna in the first, but settled down nicely over the next three innings. Then, the fifth inning happened. He gave up a ground-rule double that scored two to Ozzie Albies, a grand slam to Nick Markakis, and after a single by Dansby Swanson, Weaver was pulled. He now has an ERA of 5.16, and for the most part, has been an ineffective member of the St. Louis rotation. Weaver will be back on the mound on Thursday when he faces the Giants in San Francisco.
Giants’ Cueto set to return from DL to face Cards on Thursday
Johnny Cueto (elbow) is set to return to the Giants’ rotation Thursday against the Cardinals. Cueto pitched well in two minor league rehab starts at Triple-A Sacramento, allowing zero runs on five hits over 7 2/3 innings while striking out 10. The veteran right-hander has been on the shelf since May 1 because of a sprained right elbow. He had a stellar 0.84 ERA and 0.69 WHIP over his first five starts (32 innings) this season with San Francisco. Derek Holland will be moved to the Giants’ bullpen to open a rotation spot.
MLB Betting Trends
St. Louis
The Cardinals have won four of their last five road games.
San Francisco
The Giants are 20-8 in their last 28 home games.
Prediction:
The Cardinals are one of the most inconsistent teams in baseball so the fact that they took two of three from the Diamondbacks doesn’t necessarily lead me to believe that they’re about to go on a run. Granted, the Giants are just as inconsistent, first sweeping those same D-Backs in their previous series only to get swept by the Rockies in Denver. Still, the return of Cueto should provide a nice boost for this team as they’re 7-1 in his last eight starts. He was pitching extremely well before being placed on the disabled list, while Weaver has struggled for the Cardinals. The price on San Francisco isn’t bad tonight.
The Pick: San Francisco Giants -134