Game Information
St. Louis Cardinals (41-35) vs Cincinnati Reds (39-37)
Time: 1:15pm CT Saturday
How to watch: FanDuel Sports Network
Probable pitchers: Sonny Gray (7-2, 3.84 ERA) vs Brent Suter (1-0, 2.91 ERA)
DraftKings Odds
Moneyline: Cardinals -198, Reds +161
Total: 9 (over -113, under -108)
Streaking Cards Go For Five Straight
The St. Louis Cardinals look to extend their winning streak to five games when they take on the Cincinnati Reds in the second of a three-game set this afternoon.
The Redbirds cruised to a 6-1 win last night in the series opener, as their offense continues to produce as it has all season long. The Cards rank 8th in MLB averaging 4.72 runs per game.
Gray Ready To Rebound
Sonny Gray will make the start today on extended rest. The right-hander is coming off one of his worst outings of the season, giving up 6 runs on 8 hits in 4.1 innings in a loss at Milwaukee on June 12th.
Gray has shown a great ability to bounce back from bad starts this season. He has allowed 4 or more earned runs four times this year. In the start immediately after his three previous rough outings, Gray has posted a perfect 3-0 record while permitting just 1 run on 8 hits and 2 walks with 22 strikeouts covering 18 innings.
Bullpen Game For Cincy
It’ll be a bullpen game today for the Reds, as they had to place today’s scheduled starter Wade Miley on the IL yesterday with a flexor strain. Brent Suter will be the opener today for Cincinnati. The left-hander is 2-2 with a 3.34 ERA in 37 games (7 starts) lifetime against the Cardinals.
Gray will have to be wary today of Elly De La Cruz, who leads the Reds with 16 home runs and 50 RBI. De La Cruz is 4-for-8 with a home run in his career against Gray.
My Pick
I’m not messing with this Cardinals winning streak here, as I fully expect them to win this game. I love Gray to bounce back, and I love that he is at home. Gray is 5-1 with a 2.85 ERA at Busch Stadium this season, and he’s 14-6 with a 2.81 ERA at home since becoming a Cardinal.
I don’t want to lay -198 on the moneyline for the Cards to win, so I want to find a player prop to bring that price down.
I’m going to tack on Gray to strike out at least 5 batters. The Reds are 8th in MLB in strikeouts, and Gray is averaging over a K per inning this season. He also faced Cincinnati three times last season and posted strikeout totals of 6, 9, and 9.
Pick: Same Game Parlay priced at -120 on DraftKings - Cardinals on the moneyline AND Sonny Gray to have 5+ strikeouts (bet to -130)
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