The St. Louis Cardinals (9-15) and San Francisco Giants (10-13) continue a 4-game set at Oracle Park Wednesday. First pitch is at 9:35 p.m. ET. Season series: Giants lead 2-0
The Cardinals were sloppy in the field Tuesday night and it cost them as they lost 5-4 on a walkoff homer by OF Blake Sabol. The Cards made 2 errors on the same play that allowed a runner stealing 2nd base to score in the 2nd inning and they opened the 9th with an error that came around to score as well. The Cards are just 3-7 in the last 10 games and an eye-popping 6-14 against right-handed pitchers.
The Giants have taken the 1st 2 games from St. Louis (4-0 and 5-4) but are just 5-5 over the last 10 games. They sit in 4th place 2 1/2 games back of division-leading Arizona. The Giants are young and free-swinging as they’re 4th in homers/game (1.53) and last in strikeouts (10.67). They are 4-5 against left-handed starters one of which they’ll face Wednesday.
Cardinals at Giants projected starters
LHP Steven Matz vs. RHP Anthony DeSclafani
Matz (0-3 6.55 ERA) makes his 5th start this season. He has a 1.64 WHIP 4.1 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9 in 22 IP.
- Last start vs. Seattle Mariners Friday: 5 1/3 IP 4 ER 4 H 2 BB 7 K
- Last start at Giants May 7: 2 IP 8 ER 5 H 3 BB 3 K
DeSclafani (1-1 2.63 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 0.88 WHIP 0.8 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 in 24 IP.
- Last start vs. New York Mets Friday: 5 IP 4 ER 7 H 2 BB 5 K
- Last 5 GS vs. St. Louis (2019-21): 1-3 5.04 ERA 24 K in 25 IP
Cardinals at Giants odds
- Moneyline (ML): Cardinals -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Giants -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals -1.5 (+145) | Giants +1.5 (-175)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Cardinals at Giants picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 9 Giants 7
Moneyline
The Cards get it done Wednesday and it may not be pretty. Both starting pitchers have poor recent history and St. Louis has opened the season to a multitude of questions and criticism. They are likely to be embarrassed by the results and bring the thunder against a team they’re supposed to outmatch.
Take the CARDINALS -110.
Run line/Against the spread
We’re projecting a multi-run win here but there’s no chance I’m trusting the Cardinals bullpen. Closer Ryan Helsley looks like he hasn’t shaken off the meltdown in the playoffs last season; he blew his 1st save chance Opening Day and his 3rd Tuesday night.
PASS and feast on the total.
Over/Under
There is a lot of traction for the Under here. The Under hit in the first 2 of the series but this is going to be an Over game and it could cash before both starters leave the game. It’s 65 degrees with a 9-mph gust blowing out to center. The Cards have tattooed DeSclafani and Matz looks nothing like the promising lefty in his 20s.
Take the OVER 8.5 (-120).