Game Information
St. Louis Cardinals (36-31) vs Toronto Blue Jays (37-30)
Time: 1:15pm CT Wednesday
How to watch: FanDuel Sports Network
Probable pitchers: Matthew Liberatore (3-5, 3.82 ERA) vs Eric Lauer (2-1, 2.08)
DraftKings Odds
Moneyline: Cardinals -137, Blue Jays +113
Total: 8.5 (over -110, under -110)
Getaway Day For Cards, Blue Jays
The St. Louis Cardinals hope to avoid a sweep when they meet the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon in the finale of their three-game series.
The Redbirds are 3-5 so far on their nine-game homestand, and the slight dip has dropped them to 5 games behind the Cubs for first place in the NL Central and 2 games behind the Phillies for the final NL Wild Card spot.
Can Liberatore Get Back On Track?
Matthew Liberatore will be on the bump for the Cardinals. The left-hander departed early from his last outing with fatigue-related issues, and he was given an extra day of rest heading into this start.
After an outstanding beginning of the season with a 2.73 ERA in his first ten starts, Liberatore has struggled in his last two trips to the mound. He allowed a total of 12 runs (11 earned) and 15 hits across 9 innings in losses to the Rangers and Royals.
Surging Blue Jays Look For Sweep
The Cardinals appear to have caught Toronto at the wrong time. The Blue Jays are now 11-2 in their last 13 games, and after putting up 10 more runs last night, they are averaging 6.46 runs per game during this sizzling run.
Today’s starter Eric Lauer has thrived in a Steven Matz-like hybrid role for the Blue Jays. The former Brewer has posted a 2.08 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 26 innings covering 8 appearances this season for Toronto. Lauer has struggled in his career against the Cardinals with a 2-4 record and 7.27 ERA in 8 games against them.
My Pick
This game gives me an opportunity to bet one of my favorite spots in sports gambling - a weekday afternoon getaway day game for both teams. In these spots, the under in the first five innings is typically a bet I love to fire on.
The Cardinals are hitting the road to Milwaukee after the game to get ready to start a big four-game series tomorrow, while the Blue Jays get to enjoy an off day in Philadelphia tomorrow before beginning a three-game set with the Phillies on Friday. In my gambling experience watching baseball, these situations tend to lead to quicker games with hitters swinging earlier in counts.
The under in the first five innings is 6-1 in Cardinals weekday afternoon getaway day games this season, including a perfect 5-0 when it’s getaway day for both teams like it is here. I’ll keep riding this train today, as Lauer has been reliable and I’m willing to bank on a Liberatore bounceback with an extra day of rest.
Pick: Under 4.5 in the first five innings at -105 on DraftKings (bet to -120)
Eric Sontag hosts Domesticated Gamblers every Friday on the STL Sports Central YouTube channel. Follow him on X @GamblingDads, and click here for his daily picks on all of our St. Louis area sports teams. Picks = betting the game - minus odds betting to win 1 unit, plus odds risking 1 unit. Leans = no strong opinion, not betting the game. Disclaimer