Game Information
St. Louis Cardinals (76-80) at San Francisco Giants (77-79)
Time: 8:45pm CT Monday
How to watch: FanDuel Sports Network
Probable pitchers: Michael McGreevy (7-3, 4.08 ERA) vs Justin Verlander (3-10, 3.75 ERA)
DraftKings Odds
Moneyline: Giants -149, Cardinals +122
Total: 8 (over -103, under -118)
Cards Head To SF
The St. Louis Cardinals begin their final road trip of the season tonight in San Francisco against the Giants.
Both teams technically have not been eliminated from the playoff race yet, but it’s only a matter of time before it becomes official. Realistically the Redbirds are hoping for a 5-1 week to avoid a losing record, while the Giants are pretty much cooked after losing 7 of their last 9 games.
McGreevy In A Groove
Michael McGreevy looks to keep things rolling tonight. The right-hander has been lights-out in his last two outings, allowing just 1 run on 8 hits and 3 walks covering 13 innings against the Mariners and Reds.
McGreevy returns to the scene of one of his best outings as a big leaguer. On the final day of the regular season last year, he dominated the Giants by pitching 8 innings of 1-run ball in a 6-1 Redbird victory.
Verlander Still Going Strong
It’s very possible tonight could be one of the last chances baseball fans get a chance to see Justin Verlander pitch. It has been vintage Verlander for the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer over the last month. In his last five starts, Verlander has permitted a total of 3 runs in 31 innings for a 0.87 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.
Hopefully Nolan Arenado can do some damage tonight as he enters what is likely his final week of games in a Cardinals uniform. Arenado is hitting .308 with a home run and a .923 OPS in 13 career at-bats against Verlander.
My Lean
Look for a low-scoring game tonight. The Cardinals have scored the fewest runs in MLB since the All Star break, and it’s difficult to see them breaking out tonight against a resurgent Verlander. Plus the Giants are slumping, so I think McGreevy can be effective once again.
Both starters are backed by excellent bullpens, as the Giants’ pen ranks 3rd in MLB with a 3.49 ERA while the Cards are 6th at 3.63. I think the under is the best look in this one.
Lean: Under 8 at -118 on DraftKings
Eric Sontag hosts Domesticated Gamblers every Wednesday night 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