St. Louis Cardinals (27-28) vs. Houston Astros (26-33)
As the calendar turns to June, the MLB season heats up with intriguing matchups and pivotal games. This Wednesday, an interesting clash is set between the St. Louis Cardinals, holding a slightly sub .500 record, and the Houston Astros, who also find themselves struggling this season. Both teams will square off at the Astros’ home, Minute Maid Park, promising a midday spectacle for baseball enthusiasts and bettors alike. This game not only represents a chance for both teams to push toward a .500 mark but also offers a great opportunity for daily MLB picks.
This season has not been very successful for the Cardinals and the statistics demonstrate an unpredictable gameplay of the team. Their offense has only been moderate during the season scoring an average of .235 and a slugging average of .369. The pitching statistics where the team posted an ERA of 4.11 and WHIP of 1.3 suggest a competent but not stellar performance from the team’s rotation fraternities. St. Louis has been very poor in away fixtures, which has impacted their position and every match becomes a nervy affair and the team fights desperately to remain viable in the division.
On the other hand, the Astros, as disappointing as they have been, have a better statistical team compared to the Cardinals. They have proven to have better form with a batting average of .258 as well as a better slugging power of .410. Their starters have a slightly higher ERA at 4.31 and WHIP at 1.35 than the Cardinals meaning that they are a little weak in this area. Nevertheless, Houston has a more potent lineup scoring more runs, getting more hits, and hitting more home runs. This advantage could prove to be crucial in this encounter given that the team is playing at home.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Houston Astros Game Info
| When: | Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 2:10 PM ET |
| Where: | Minute Maid Park |
| TV: | ESP+ |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Miles Mikolas (3-6, 5.54 ERA) vs. Ronel Blanco (5-1, 2.44 ERA)
Miles Mikolas has had a rather difficult season so far as he has a 5.54 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP in 65 innings. He then has a strikeout-to-walk ratio that is not so flattering and this coupled with the ten home runs demonstrate that he is quite often in compromising pitching situations. Mikolas must get better control of his pitches and keep the ball down and out of the air as much as possible since Houston’s lineup is known to take advantage of mistakes often made by pitchers.
On the hand of the Astros, Ronel Blanco has proven to be a good light house about efficiency and control. Strong 2.44 ERA and 1.03 WHIP also conveyed his capability to slow down batters on the other team by amassing a decent number of strikeouts on the other hand; hits allowed were also notably low. He has been one of the key players in the Astros’ wins, and his stature indicates that he is equally a force that the Cardinals’ hitters would find hard to deal with.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds are still being set for this matchup, reflecting the unpredictable nature of both teams this season. However, early indicators might favor the Astros slightly due to their home advantage and the stronger pitching matchup with Blanco on the mound.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Trends
The Cardinals have not fared well against the spread, especially in road games where their record is a disappointing 13-18. This trend is a caution for bettors, suggesting St. Louis often underperforms relative to expectations when away from home. Furthermore, the total has gone OVER in only 11 of their last 25 games at home, indicating a tendency for lower-scoring games which could be crucial for total bets.
Houston Astros Betting Trends
Similarly, the Astros have had their struggles against the spread, going 11-17 in road games. However, their home record might offer more hope. The totals have gone OVER in 12 of their last 31 games at home, a trend that, combined with their stronger offensive stats, could hint at a higher-scoring affair when they play in Houston.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Houston Astros 6/5/24 Betting Picks
Considering both teams’ current forms and trends, this game could tilt in favor of the Astros. Their stronger batting and Blanco’s outstanding pitching form should give them the upper edge. Additionally, with both teams struggling recently, the pressure to bounce back could lead to a highly competitive game.
For those interested in prop bets or over/under, considering the Astros’ tendency to play higher-scoring games at home might be worthwhile. Also, keep an eye on the best live betting opportunities as in-game dynamics could shift significantly, especially if the starting pitchers are pulled early.
