Cardinals manager Mike Matheny is facing a do or die season. St. Louis fans are unaccustomed to missing the post season. Yet that has been their fate the past two seasons. Matheny’s team is no longer the baseball odds today favorite it used to be. While its not all his fault his desk is where the buck stops. Brewers Manager Craig Counsell has far brighter prospects. After barely missing the playoffs last year he was celebrated as a savior. But nobody will be looking past Milwaukee for 2018. Will the Brewers and backers face a market correction?
Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Date and Time: Monday, April 9, 2018 7:05 p.m. ET
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
2018 MLB Betting Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brewers | +1½ (-170) | 8 (-110) |  |
| Cardinals | -1½ (+150) | 8 (-110) | |
| |||
2018 MLB TV Coverage: ESPN
Milwaukee
Milwaukee was one of the most profitable MLB clubs last year. But that doesn’t guarantee money making for baseball odds today. In fact, the Brewers success caught many off guard. Sharps were even surprised. Entering this season expectations are far higher. Which means prices could be as well. Of concern is a recent stretch of four losses in six games. Just one of the Crew’s last five games went under the total. Mediocre metrics of 20th for run production and 16th for ERA are bothersome. Teams that overlooked Milwaukee last year now have their full attention.
Brewers on the Field
Equally bad is star Ryan Braun stumbling out of the gate. Braun is hitting .172 with 12 strikeouts in 29 at bats. His on base percentage is a poor .242. Eric Thames has been wildly erratic. While he has slugged three home runs his average is but .240. Milwaukee’s bullpen has been solid and ranks seventh in MLB.
St. Louis
St. Louis has perked up some with four payouts in their last six games. Under the total has paid in four of those games. Offensively the Redbirds are a subpar 16th for run production. Their pitching has been above average and ranks 12th in MLB for ERA. However quality starts have been a big problem for the Cards. They rank an abysmal 29th in the Big Leagues for that department. First baseman Jose Martinez is off to a hot start. Hitting .345 with two home runs his OPS is .963. Martinez has driven in eight runs.
Cardinals on the Field
Right hander Jhoulys Chacin gets the start for Milwaukee. Fellow right hander Miles Mikolas will take the hill for St. Louis. Chacin is 0-1 and was rocked in his first two starts. He has a 7.00 ERA with a WHIP of 2.00. Last year at San Diego Chacin was 13-10 with a 3.89 ERA. Mikolas won his only start with a 6.35 ERA and WHIP of 1.24. He pitched in Japan the past three seasons. His last MLB team was Texas in 2014. Mikolas was 2-5 with a 6.44 ERA with the Rangers that year. Between these starters the online sportsbook edge is with Milwaukee.
Matchup to Watch
With Chacin, Milwaukee has a baseball odds today advantage from the start. Mikolas is a reclamation project indicative of desperation. Playing on the road gives Milwaukee a better price.
MLB Betting Odds Picks
Neither team has stood out so far. But Chacin gives the Crew a clear edge. Milwaukee is the call.
Brewers vs. Cardinals MLB Betting Online Pick: Milwaukee Brewers
Brewers vs. Cardinals MLB Betting Online Score Prediction: Brewers 6, Cardinals 3