Phillies vs. Cardinals MLB Odds, Picks, Predictions: Will St. Louis Get Upper Hand on Kyle Gibson Again? (Saturday, July 9)
Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Nolan Arenado (Cardinals)
Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals Odds
| Phillies Odds | +100 |
| Cardinals Odds | -118 |
| Over/Under | 8.5 |
| Time | 2:15 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB.TV |
| Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
Last night, the Philadelphia Phillies took the first game of the series from the St. Louis Cardinals, winning 2-0.
Third baseman Alec Bohm accounted for the only offense of the night by either side. After coming into the evening with just four home runs on the year, Bohm blasted two solo shots off Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright in the sixth and eight innings.
That was enough for Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, as he tossed seven shutout innings against the Cardinals for the second-consecutive start.
The Phillies improved to a season-best 45-39 and are 24-10 since June 1. They also moved a game-up on the Cardinals for the third and final spot in the NL Wild Card race.
The Cardinals dropped to 45-41 on the year and have lost five of their last six games. They've scored three runs or fewer in each of those games.
However, Saturday's matchup will offer an opportunity to get out of their offensive slump.
Could Phillies' Gibson Be in Trouble?
The Phillies will hand the ball over to Kyle Gibson for game two in this series.
For Gibson, it'll be another opportunity to get back on track. He started off the year strong, going 2-1 with a 2.93 ERA and owning a .184 opposing batting average in April. Over his last 11 starts, he has a 5.88 ERA, 4.85 FIP, .295 opposing batting average and has allowed 10 home runs in 56.2 innings.
Gibson has struggled even more away from his home ballpark. In seven road starts, he has a 6.34 ERA and 1.65 WHIP.
Right-handed batters have given Gibson the most trouble this season. He's given up nine home runs to right-handed batters this season, and has a .284 opposing batting average.
He'll have to deal with one of the toughest duos of right-handed batters in Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado in this game.
The Phillies have a tough duo of their own in Rhys Hoskins and Kyle Schwarber.
Hoskins was 1-for-4 last night and has reached base safely in 13 of his last 14 games. He's 2-for-4 against Dakota Hudson in his career.
Schwarber was 0-for-4 last night, but he's 2-for-5 against Hudson.
Bohm will look to stay hot today in front of a large contingent of family and friends coming in from Omaha.
Arenado & Goldschmidt to Guide Cards
The Cardinals were not without opportunities last night, as they left seven men on base and were 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.
That's been a common theme of late, as the team has scored just seven runs in its last six games, including three shutouts in that span. Two of those games were against Wheeler.
The Cardinals tagged Gibson for six runs in 4+ innings of work last week, though. That included four consecutive home runs in the first inning, which tied the major league record.
Arenado hit one of those home runs, and he's been hot. The Cardinals' third baseman is hitting .367 over his last 15 games, with seven home runs and 18 runs batted in over the last month.
Goldschmidt did not homer off Gibson last week, but he's 2-for-2 off him in his career. He's still in search of his 300th career home run, but he'll be coming into this game on a high after being named an All-Star starter last night.
Outfielder Corey Dickerson has rejoined the club after recovering from a calf injury. He'll be activated this weekend and may be available for today's game.
Phillies-Cardinals Pick
The Cardinals' bats have been cold of late, but they scored seven runs in last Saturday's game started by Kyle Gibson and got six off of him. In his last two starts, Gibson has allowed 11 runs in 6.2 innings.
I like the Cardinals to get to him early and go over their team total.
FanDuel has the line of over 4 at -110. That offers some protection if the Cardinals score exactly four, as you'll get your money back with a push.
However, to win your wager, you'll need the Cardinals to score five runs. DraftKings has over 4.5 at +115. That gives you a choice of how to play it, but personally, I prefer the plus odds.
Pick: Cardinals Team Total Over 4.5 runs (+115)
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