Braves vs Cardinals Odds - Braves' bats won’t solve Cardinals' arms
The Braves vs Cardinals odds are about a team on the brink this weekend. Thanks to a sputtering offense, the Braves are a few losses away from virtual elimination in the National League Wild Card hunt. Can they make a statement in MLB betting against the mighty Cardinals?
Braves vs Cardinals Odds: Pitching-heavy Cards are brutal matchup for Atlanta’s popgun offense
- Braves’ playoff hopes will sink against Pineiro’s sinker
- History is on Atlanta’s side against Kyle Lohse
- You don’t bet against Chris Carpenter. You just don’t
Tonight, 8:15 p.m. ET
Braves vs Cardinals odds: Jair Jurrjens (10-10, 2.93) vs Joel Pineiro (14-9, 3.28)
Consistency has been the name of Jair Jurrjens’ game this season. 2.91 first-half ERA, 2.97 in the second half. 2.76 ERA at home, 3.13 ERA on the road. He’s been good all year and wherever he pitches. Unfortunately for the Braves and their fledgling bats, another strong outing form Jurrjens may not be enough with St. Louis sending Joel Pineiro to the mound. The ground-ball machine is 7-0 in 10 starts since the All-Star break and has done an amazing job keeping the ball in the park and throwing strikes this season. It doesn’t pay at the sportsbook to bet against Pineiro. Braves vs Cardinals Betting Edge: Cardinals
Saturday, September 12, 4:10 p.m. ET
Braves vs Cardinals odds: Tim Hudson (1-0, 2.19) vs Kyle Lohse (5-8, 4.62)
Aren’t pitchers supposed to be rusty when they return from Tommy John surgery? That hasn’t been the case for Tim Hudson, who’s looked razor-sharp in two starts since rejoining the Braves, sporting a 2.19 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 12.1 innings. But can he carry his success to Busch Stadium, where he has an 8.44 lifetime ERA? At the very least, Hudson will take his lumps against Pujols, who bats .412 off him lifetime. Pujols is also ridiculously hot right now, hitting a hilarious .471 in September with a 1.638 OPS. Then again, Kyle Lohse could be in trouble on Saturday. He hasn’t looked like his usual self in 2009, battling injuries, and several key Braves regulars have his number. Chipper Jones bats .556 off him with a homer and five RBI while Ryan Church (.462) and Garret Anderson (.360) have also had their way with him. Bet over the total and expect Atlanta to edge St. Louis. Braves vs Cardinals Betting Edge: Braves
Sunday, September 13, 2:15 p.m. ET
Braves vs Cardinals odds: Javier Vazquez (12-9, 3.06) vs Chris Carpenter (16-3, 2.16)
This exciting online betting tilt ends with a doozie of a pitching matchup, as Javier Vazquez tries to inflate his already-massive strikeout total. While he’s 8-2 on the road, St. Louis hasn’t been kind to him over his career. In fact, Vazquez is just 2-7 against the Cards and hasn’t beaten them in St. Louis. The Braves have the tall, tall order of beating Cy Young contender Chris Carpenter, who is 9-0 with a 1.84 ERA in 11 starts since the All-Star break. Forget his mediocre track record against Atlanta (2-1, 5.46); he hasn’t faced the Braves this year and the Braves have never seen this version of Chris Carpenter. Pick St. Louis. Braves vs Cardinals Betting Edge: Cardinals
MLB betting breakdown: Outlook and Pick
The Braves desperately need some wins to stay in the Wild Card hunt but it’s a recipe for disappointment when a weak offense meets a dominant pitching staff. Sorry, Braves. DALE’S PICK: Cardinals to win two of three
For more sports betting tips, check out all our expert analysis at BetOnline.com. For more on the Braves vs Cardinals matchup, check out our stats section. Dale Lalonde is BetOnline.com's MLB expert.
