St. Louis Cardinals vs Oakland Athletics Prediction 8-14-23 MLB Picks

sportschatplace.com

14 August 2023

The Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals meet Monday in MLB action from Busch Stadium. Oakland just finished up a series versus the Nationals. The A’s lost the first two games in that set, then on Sunday Oakland fell again in a close outcome. As for St. Louis, they played a pair versus the Royals over the weekend and split the abbreviated series. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Oakland Athletics

The A’s had some trouble with the Nationals over the weekend, losing Friday 8-2 and Saturday 3-2. In the game two defeat, Oakland’s JJ Bleday and Brent Rooker each had a solo home run. In the Sunday finale the A’s were up 7-2 going into the bottom of the ninth and gave the game away in a wild 8-7 defeat. Seth Brown and Zack Gelof combined for six hits, three runs, six RBI and three homers in the losing effort.

In the starter role for the Monday matchup it’ll be the A’s JP Sears. This year Sears is 2-9 with a 4.23 ERA in 23 starts. Sears has 117 Ks in 125.2 innings. Over his last seven starts Sears is 1-3 with a 3.76 ERA.

Oakland Athletics Team Facts

The Athletics have won each of their last five games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
The Athletics have covered the run line in each of their last eight games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
The Athletics have led after 7 innings in each of their last five games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
The Athletics have led after 5 innings in each of their last four games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Athletics' last four night games against NL Central opponents.

St. Louis Cardinals

Over on the Cardinals’ side, they just played a quick set versus the Royals, losing 12-8 in the opener but then evening things up with a tight 5-4 Saturday victory. St. Louis nearly blew a 3-0 lead in the win but held on thanks to two homers and three RBI from Tommy Edman. Nolan Arenado had a nice game as well, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Miles Mikolas will take the starter role in the Monday matchup for the Cards. Across his 25 starts this year Mikolas is 6-8 with a 4.20 ERA and 99 Ks in 141.1 innings. Mikolas is 2-3 with a 3.28 ERA in his last seven starts combined.

St. Louis Cardinals Team Facts

The Cardinals have lost each of their last six games as home favorites against AL West opponents.
The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games as home favorites against AL West opponents.
The Cardinals have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five Monday games as favorites.
The Cardinals have trailed after 7 innings in five of their last six games as home favorites against AL West opponents.
The Cardinals have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six games as home favorites against AL West opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

The St. Louis Cardinals ranks 1st in the league for home runs allowed this season (115).
The St. Louis Cardinals ranks 29th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.273).
The Oakland Athletics ranks 30th in the league for runs scored this season (420).
The Oakland Athletics ranks 30th in the league for hits this season (860).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK

I’ll stay with the Cardinals in this one, but the line’s way too thick to mess with. The bats and pen really need to give Mikolas some backup as well. Over his last two starts Mikolas is 0-2 but he hasn’t pitched too badly. He’s got 14.0 innings in that time with four earned on 14 hits and one walk. Mikolas should be able to keep the A’s in check here, but it’ll be up to the rest of the team to help get the W. As for the A’s, on Sunday they imploded in the ninth inning during a loss that’ll be tough to shake. That said, Oakland has been competitive over the last pair and I think they’ll give St. Louis some trouble.