The Atlanta Braves (78-48) clash with the St. Louis Cardinals (73-53) Friday in the 1st game of a 3-game set at Busch Stadium. First pitch is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Braves vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Atlanta leads 3-1
This is a story about 2 teams ablaze with their sights set on October. Atlanta is 8-2 in the last 10 games and 15-5 in the last 20 and is close to getting 2B Ozzie Albies back from injury. The Braves are averaging 6.5 runs per game in the last 10, but that number is skewed by a 13 and 14 spot. They have 1 of their horses on the mound Friday.
The Cards are averaging 6.8 runs per game in the last 10, but that, too, is skewed by 13, 16 and 13 spots. St. Louis has had a soft spot in its schedule with the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs. This will be a real test for them as we creep into September. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt is starting to run away with the MVP trophy, hitting .383 with 9 homers and 27 RBIs this month.