St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves odds, picks and predictions

The St. Louis Cardinals (60-78) and Atlanta Braves (90-47) play the 2nd of a 3-game set at Truist Park Wednesday. First pitch is at 7:20 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Braves odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Braves lead 3-1

The Cardinals mashed to a 10-6 victory in the series opener Tuesday night. They pounded 4 home runs and were up 9-1 at one point, but their bullpen allowed the Braves to make it interesting late in the game. St. Louis is just 8-12 over its last 20 games and 29-38 on the road in what has been a lost season.

The Braves hit 4 home runs of their own Tuesday night, and even though they were down a lot, they never looked shaken. Atlanta has lost 2 in a row after a 6-game win streak but is still 15-5 over its last 20 games and clearly the best team in baseball.

Cardinals at Braves projected starters

RHP Dakota Hudson vs. RHP Spencer Strider

Hudson (5-1, 4.02 ERA) makes his 8th start and 14th appearance. He has a 1.30 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 5.3 K/9 in 56 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 7 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 0 K against the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday
• 2 career starts vs. Braves: 0-1, 6.97 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, 4 K in 10 1/3 IP

Strider (16-4, 3.56 ERA) makes his 28th start. He has a 1.05 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 13.8 K/9 in 159 1/3 innings.

• Last start: Win, 6 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 9 K Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers
• 2 career starts vs. Cardinals: 1-0, 0.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 19 K in 12 IP

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Cardinals at Braves odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:21 a.m. ET.

Cardinals at Braves picks and predictions

Prediction

Braves 7, Cardinals 3

The Braves are massive favorites, and for good reason, as Strider would really have to be off his game to give the Cardinals a chance. Hudson pitches to contact, and the Braves possess the kind of hard contact that you don’t want. This one shouldn’t be close, but we’re not paying 3 times the return.

Instead, a single-game parlay of BRAVES ML and STRIDER 8 K’s (-150) is the way I would play it.

I can’t remember the last time the Cardinals were +2.5 on the run line, and as tantalizing as it seems, I just have no confidence they can keep it within 2 runs. They caught the Braves with a pitcher who left due to injury Tuesday, and it’s time to pay the piper Wednesday. However, I also don’t like the risk of the Braves having to beat the Cards by 3.

PASS.

The Cards are 5-4-1 O/U over the last 10 games, and the Braves are 6-4. The Over is 5-5 over the last 10 between the clubs. The ball was flying last night with some mammoth home runs and I expect the same result Wednesday night. St. Louis has one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball, and Hudson is prone to walks.