Dodgers vs. Cardinals pick: MLB odds, predictions, best bets
The last game of Friday’s MLB slate features arguably the most intriguing pitching matchup of the day, as the Cardinals Jack Flaherty faces the Dodgers’ Dustin May in an overlooked pitchers’ duel.
It’s been years since Flaherty looked like a true ace for St. Louis, but he showed glimpses of his old self in Sunday’s start in Seattle.
After a rough second inning, he allowed just one base runner over his final four frames, and he finished with season highs in strikeouts (nine) and whiffs (23 swings and misses).
Those numbers are a massive step in the right direction for Flaherty, who had his slider and knuckle curve both working off his mid-90s heater.
He should be able to keep it rolling against this depleted Dodgers lineup, which has multiple starters on the paternity list.
Dodgers vs. Cardinals pick
(10:10 p.m. ET)
Meanwhile, May has shown signs of a breakout this year, too.
While he got rocked by the Mets two weeks ago, he’s surrendered two or fewer runs in each of his other four starts, spinning a 1.90 ERA combined in those four outings.
He also finished with a season-high six strikeouts in his last outing with a season-low two hits allowed.
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He likely won’t last long on the mound — he’s been pulled in the sixth inning in three straight starts — but the Dodgers’ bullpen is arguably the best in baseball.
Even a short stint from May, paired with Flaherty’s resurgence, should spell an under to close out the night.
Dodgers vs. Cardinals prediction
Under 8.5 total runs (-105, FanDuel)
