Atlanta Braves vs St. Louis Cardinals Prediction 9-7-23 MLB Picks
The St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves meet Thursday in MLB action from SunTrust Park. This will be the finale in a three-game series. The Cardinals took a four-run win in the opener, then on Wednesday St. Louis kept it up with a five-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals scored three runs in two different innings Tuesday during the opener, ultimately cruising to a 10-6 win. Nolan Gorman provided two homers and three RBI. On Wednesday St. Louis was up 6-0 after three innings during an 11-6 win. Gorman and Wilson Contreras each had three RBI along the way.
In the starter role Thursday it’ll be Adam Wainwright. This year over his 18 starts Wainwright is 3-10 with an 8.10 ERA and 45 Ks in 83.1 innings. Wainwright is 0-6 with an 8.81 ERA in his last seven starts.
Atlanta Braves
Over on the Braves’ side, they scored five runs across the final four innings of the opener Tuesday but couldn’t make the comeback. Four different players had a solo homer in that defeat. On Wednesday Atlanta got a solid offensive evening overall but couldn’t keep up on defense. Austin Riley and Matt Olson each had home runs in the loss.
Max Fried will take the mound for the start on Thursday for Atlanta. Across his 11 starts Fried is 6-1 with a 2.52 ERA and 63 Ks in 60.2 innings. Fried is 4-1 with a 3.54 ERA over his last seven starts as well.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to stay with the Braves. (There’s an excellent value play on St. Louis, though.) Fried is pitching well over his last two outings with just two earned in 13.0 innings. He’s gone 2-0 in that pair as well. As for Wainwright, he hasn’t pitched since August 28 versus the Padres, taking a loss with one earned in 6.0 innings. The Cardinals are trying to get Wainwright to 200 career wins (he’s at 198) but I don’t see him getting any closer against a talented Braves team. In the Wednesday matchup Atlanta collapsed early on the mound and didn’t get any help from the bullpen. Fried will need to post a great start here, but I think the Braves will pull it off.
