Game Information
St. Louis Cardinals (37-35) at Chicago White Sox (23-49)
Time: 6:40pm CT Tuesday
How to watch: FanDuel Sports Network
Probable pitchers: Matthew Liberatore (3-6, 4.17 ERA) vs Shane Smith (3-3, 2.37 ERA)
DraftKings Odds
Moneyline: Cardinals -149, White Sox +122
Total: 9 (over -107, under -113)
Cards Head To Chicago’s Southside
The St. Louis Cardinals look to snap out of their recent funk when they begin a winnable series tonight in Chicago against the White Sox.
The Cards have dropped seven of eight as part of their 4-10 record in the month of June. The White Sox have lost five in a row and have the worst record in the American League at 23-49.
Liberatore Needs A Bounceback
The Redbirds are desperately hoping that Matthew Liberatore gets back on track tonight. The left-hander has had a rocky last three starts, allowing 17 runs (16 earned) on 24 hits in 14 innings.
The Cardinals also need to get their bats going again offensively. They are averaging just 3.68 runs per game over their last 16 contests.
Smith Solid For Sox
The White Sox are also not putting up a lot of runs lately, as they have scored a grand total of just 11 runs during their current five-game skid. Overall for the season, Chicago ranks 27th in MLB with 3.44 runs per game.
The White Sox however will send their best starting pitcher to the mound tonight in Shane Smith. The right-hander has given up 3 earned runs or less in every single one of his 13 starts this season. Over his last two outings against first-place clubs in the Astros and Tigers, Smith permitted just 1 total run covering 11.1 innings.
My Pick
This game will not be a cakewalk for the Cardinals. Smith is a very solid pitcher, and the White Sox have been competitive at home going 12-8 in their last 20 games at Rate Field.
I do think there is an edge here tonight with two struggling offenses in betting the NRFI - no runs in the first inning. Smith has put up a goose egg in the first inning in 11 of his 13 starts, and he has a 1.65 ERA in his first time through the order.
I’m more concerned with Liberatore holding up his end of the bargain. His recent struggles have included him allowing a first inning run in two of his last three starts, but overall this season, Liberatore has pitched a clean opening frame in 10 his 13 starts and has a 2.60 ERA the first time through the order.
The White Sox’ lineup has also struggled early in games lately, as they’ve scored in the first inning just once in their last 16 games.
I would endorse taking the NRFI on its own at -120, but I’m going to tack on both teams to score in the game to give myself a plus money price. Read more about that strategy in point #3 here.
Pick: Same Game Parlay priced at +102 on DraftKings - Under 0.5 runs in the first inning AND Both teams to score 1+ runs in the game (bet to -105)
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