Tampa Bay Rays vs. St. Louis Cardinals Prediction 8/6/24 – The Tampa Bay Rays (57-54) and St. Louis Cardinals (57-56) are going to lock horns in a very competitive game that will take place at Busch Stadium as we edge closer to the postseason. As they hover around the .500 mark, each win is a big thing for them. When this match will be played there is no doubt that it not only offers a crucial win but also gives gamblers and supporters an opportunity to premium player picks that can have an influence on the outcome of the clash.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. St. Louis Cardinals Prediction 8/6/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 7:45 PM ET |
| Where: | Busch Stadium |
| TV: | – |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Tampa Bay Rays (57-54) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (57-56)
The Rays are entering this game with a team batting average of .235, which is slightly underwhelming, but they have managed to remain competitive in terms of run differential due to their strong pitching staff which has an ERA of 4.00 and WHIP of 1.23. This season their ability to prevent the opposing teams from scoring has been their lifeline and that is why they have been able to maintain a reasonable 57-54 record.
On the other hand, the Cardinals have a little better hitting prowess than the Rays as evidenced by their .245 batting average and slightly higher slugging percentage (.387). However, when it comes to pitching, they are just behind with a 4.08 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. The Cards will need to use their offense stats just enough to compensate for their pitching mishaps.
Jeffrey Springs (0-0, 4.91 ERA) vs. Sonny Gray (10-6, 3.72 ERA)
Jeffrey Springs has taken to the mound in this season with no wins and losses, possessing a 4.91 ERA. In just three innings and two thirds of an inning, six hits have been allowed by Springs and one home run which shows some vulnerability. His high rate of WHIP at 1.91 shows that he cannot allow too many base runners which may be risky when the Cardinals lineup exploits such weaknesses.
Sonny Gray is another exposure for the Cardinals; he has had a fair record of 10-6 with a commendable ERA of 3.72 over 118.2 innings this season. A WHIP of 1.09 and striking out 147 indicate that he knows how to manage games effectively, minimizing hits and walks while overpowering batters with his arsenal of pitches. Consequently, Gray’s steadiness will count here.
The clash between a relatively inexperienced Springs and the seasoned Gray could be the defining factor of this game. Gray’s ability to control the game could severely limit the Rays’ offensive output, while Springs will need to overcome his early-season struggles to give Tampa Bay a chance.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: St. Louis Cardinals -1.5 +133, Total Odds: 8
Considering the betting odds, the Cardinals emerge as favorites at -1.5, reflecting confidence in Gray’s pitching and their home advantage. The total set at 8 runs aligns with both teams’ recent performances, hinting at a moderate scoring game.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends
Tampa Bay’s recent games have predominantly seen lower scores, with the total going UNDER in 6 of their last 8 games. Their strong pitching stats suggest that trend might continue, especially given Springs’ need to prove his reliability in the rotation.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Trends
The Cardinals have experienced a higher scoring pattern at home, with the total going OVER in 8 of their last 10 games at Busch Stadium. This could conflict with the Rays’ trends, setting up an interesting dynamic for bettors watching the over/under.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. St. Louis Cardinals 8/6/24 Betting Picks
This game poses a hard choice due to the contrary approaches and strengths of teams involved. Nevertheless, the stronger offensive lineup of the Cardinals, and Gray’s robust pitching make them good bets to cover this spread. For the total, it is trickier but leaning towards the UNDER may be wise considering that Tampa Bay has been under its average in scoring lately.
The Cardinals should take advantage of their home crowd and Sonny Gray’s steadiness to pull out a victory in what will likely be a low-scoring game. If you are interested in MLB best free predictions then picking Saint Louis to cover and UNDER the total seems like an attractive wager.