St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco Giants odds, picks, predictions

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. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Giants odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

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

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:29 a.m. ET.

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Cardinals at Giants picks and predictions

Prediction

Cardinals 9, Giants 7

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.

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.

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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).

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