Houston Astros vs St. Louis Cardinals 3/16/2023 Expert Picks, Tips and Previews
On Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 1:05 PM ET, MLB fans will be treated to a clash between the Houston Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium Jupiter, FL. As defending champions, the Astros know that defending their title won’t be easy, but they have some players who are capable of achieving great things this season.
Alex Bregman is one such player who could have a comeback year, but it’s Michael Brantley who is expected to surpass the .300 batting average milestone. Although Brantley has had some health concerns, he has a proven track record of hitting above .300 and is poised to deliver another strong performance in his final appearance of the season.
- Under is 4-0-1 in Astros’ last 5 overall.
- Under is 4-0-1 in Astros’ last 5 interleague games.
- Under is 3-0-1 in Astros’ last 4 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
Houston Astros vs St. Louis Cardinals 3/16/2023 Expert Picks, Tips and Previews
Meanwhile, the Cardinals are the presumptive favorites to win the NL Central, with a predicted win range between 86 and 91. They made some changes in the offseason, signing catcher Willson Contreras and anticipating the debut of top prospect Jordan Walker. While Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado are expected to regress this season after exceeding expectations in previous years, the team’s offensive firepower, especially with the addition of Contreras, should be a force to be reckoned with.
Despite all their offensive options, the Cardinals’ greatest asset remains the ability to use both Arenado and Goldschmidt in the same infield lineup. According to Fangraphs’ Depth Charts, Arenado has one of the best projections of any position player, while Goldschmidt is also ranked in the top 30. This puts the Cardinals in an elite group of teams with multiple players in the top 30, making them a formidable opponent for any team in the league.
- Under is 4-0 in Flahertys last 4 starts during game 1 of a series.
- The Cardinals are 8-0 in Flahertys last 8 Thursday starts.
- The Cardinals are 4-0 in their last 4 interleague games.
Houston Astros vs St. Louis Cardinals. The MLB pick for this game is the Houston Astros. In this Astros prediction, the player expected to come in second is Valdez, who has emerged from the shadow of team ace Justin Verlander. While Valdez is a strong contender, he is unlikely to win the coveted Cy Young award due to the dominance of another candidate with an eye-popping ERA. Nonetheless, Valdez is poised to make a significant impact this season and could be a key factor in the team’s success.
In today’s game, the Houston Astros are predicted to come out on top with a score of 5-4. With their strong roster and track record of success, the Astros are a formidable opponent for any team. The game promises to be an exciting one, with both teams fighting hard to secure a win.
MLB Starting Time: 6:50 PM (EDT)
Location: Roger Dean Stadium Jupiter, FL
Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
TV: BSMW
MLB Odds: Houston Astros +110
MLB Totals: 7
