St. Louis Cardinals vs Houston Astros Odds
| Cardinals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
+135 | 8.5 -105o / -115u | +1.5 -150 |
| Astros Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
-160 | 8.5 -105o / -115u | -1.5 +126 |
Let's dive into the Cardinals vs. Astros odds and make a pick in our Wednesday MLB betting preview for June 5.
Cardinals vs Astros odds have the Astros as -166 moneyline favorites with an over/under of 8.5 (-110o/ -110u) for the Wednesday series finale at Minute Maid Park. For my Cardinals vs Astros prediction, I will be looking at a different market as I see value on the run line for Houston.
A pair of right-handers are set to square off in Miles Mikolas for the Cardinals and Ronel Blanco for the Astros. See how I think Cardinals vs Astros on Wednesday will play out in my MLB betting preview below.
St. Louis Cardinals
Mikolas' prime is long behind him. Through 12 starts this season, the right-hander is 3-6 with a fade-worthy 5.54 ERA and 1.32 WHIP.
His underlying metrics are just as poor — Mikolas ranks in the 18th percentile or lower in xERA, xBA and hard-hit rate. These woes are likely to continue against Houston, a team he is 0-1 against through three career meetings, with an astoundingly poor 9.64 ERA and 2.07 WHIP.
The Astros boast an average win margin of three runs over those outings.
Following Mikolas is a fade-worthy bullpen that ranks in the bottom half of the league in ERA. This pitching staff is unlikely to receive run support, given that St. Louis ranks in the bottom half of the league in runs scored per game, hits per game, BA, OBP, SLG, OPS, home runs and stolen bases.
Houston Astros
The Cardinals' woes at the dish are likely to continue against Blanco, who is putting together a breakout campaign. Through 10 starts, he is 5-1 with a commanding 2.44 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.
Houston won six of those 10 games by at least a two-run margin. Blanco's analytics suggest that regression shouldn't be too big of a concern — he ranks in the 74th percentile in xERA and 85th percentile in xBA. Following Blanco is a bullpen that ranks ninth in ERA.
Run support should also be in store for this pitching staff, given that the Astros rank in the top 10 in runs scored per game, hits per game, BA, OBP, SLG, OPS and home runs.
This success is likely to continue against Mikolas, a pitcher whom this current Houston lineup boasts a .292 BA, .500 SLG and .350 wOBA against through 52 combined career plate appearances.
Cardinals vs. Astros
Betting Pick & Prediction
There is no reason to not like Houston in this spot. Blanco is stronger than Mikolas, both statistically and analytically.
The Astros' relief staff also outranks the Cardinals' in ERA. Meanwhile, Houston paces St. Louis in runs scored per game, hits per game, BA, OBP, SLG, OPS, home runs and stolen bases.
Add in the home-field advantage, and I think the Astros take care of business as large favorites. I think there is more value in taking their run line at +124 rather than laying -170 on the moneyline.
Pick: Astros -1.5 (+124 at DraftKings | Play to +115)
